How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost in Tennessee?
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A Clear Answer Before Any Work Begins
Every case is different, so VanStory Investigations doesn’t publish a price list. What a case costs depends on what you need to find out, where the work happens, and how long it takes.
The fastest way to a real number is a free consultation. We talk through your situation, explain what an investigation would cover, and give you the scope and fees before any work begins.
What affects the cost of an investigation
- The type of work. Surveillance is time in the field. A background check or locate is mostly records research. Many cases mix the two.
- How much time it takes. A single afternoon of surveillance costs less than several days spread over weeks. Some questions are answered in one session; others need a pattern over time.
- Location and travel. We’re based in Castalian Springs and work across Tennessee. Distance and the number of trips both matter.
- Timing. Evening, weekend, and short-notice work can be scheduled when a case needs it, and it can affect the plan and the cost.
- What you already know. Names, addresses, vehicles, photos, and schedules shorten the work. Starting from very little takes longer.
- What you need at the end. A short summary, a detailed chronological report with photographs, or support for an attorney who may use the findings.
How we charge
No surprises. Before any work begins, you’ll know how your case is billed, what the retainer covers, and which costs may be added.
- A retainer to start. Investigations begin with a retainer paid up front. It reserves your investigator’s time and gets your case moving right away. Fees are drawn against it as the work is done.
- Hourly for surveillance. Surveillance is billed by the hour, so the cost follows the time your case actually needs: a single afternoon or several days, depending on what we’re documenting.
- Flat fees for background checks. Background checks are quoted at a flat fee, so you know the full price before we start.
- Mileage and database costs. Field work adds mileage, and some research needs paid records databases. Those costs are added to your invoice, and we’ll tell you up front when a case is likely to need them.
Typical costs by type of case
- Divorce and infidelity investigations: mostly surveillance, billed hourly. The cost depends on how many days are needed to observe and document a pattern.
- Child custody investigations: surveillance billed hourly, often over a longer period to document routines.
- Background checks: a flat fee, quoted before we start, based on how deep the check goes.
- Skip tracing and locates: the cost depends on how recent the last known information is and how much verification is needed.
- Missing persons: research, interviews, and sometimes travel. The scope is agreed before work starts.
- Process service: rates and service areas are listed on our ServeManager request page. For a location not listed there, email [email protected] for a quote.
Questions to ask any investigator before you hire
- Are you licensed in Tennessee? VanStory Investigations lists license #2291, and you can check any license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
- What exactly will the work cover, and what won’t it cover?
- How are fees charged, and what costs could be added?
- What will I receive at the end, and when?
- Who will do the work?
A low quote that leaves these unanswered can cost more in the end. A clear scope protects you and the investigation.
What a free consultation covers
We listen to what you’re deciding and what you already know. We tell you honestly whether an investigation is likely to help. If it is, you get the proposed scope and fees before anything begins, and you decide whether to go ahead. There’s no obligation.
We answer the phone Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Central at (423) 641-5243. You can also send a request anytime through our job request form.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t you list prices?
Because two cases rarely need the same work. A posted price would be wrong for most people. A short conversation gets you a number that fits your case.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. You pay nothing to talk through your situation and get a quote.
Can I work within a set budget?
Absolutely. Tell us what you can spend, and we’ll build the investigation around it: what can realistically be done for that amount, where the time is best spent, and what to prioritize first. You stay in control of the cost from the first conversation to the final report.
Do you work outside Middle Tennessee?
Yes. We handle investigations and process service across Tennessee, including Nashville, Gallatin, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, and Williamson County.