Elizabeth Brock
Licensed investigator with over
10 years of investigative experience.
Some Investigative Service May Be Billed Differently
But beware: many agencies quote low hourly rates, then tack on extra fees for travel, mileage, reports, prep time, and more—making it nearly impossible to know your final bill upfront.
Several factors affect what private investigators charge:
Extras: Many agencies bill separately for travel, video, or reports—Root includes it all.
Here’s what sets us apart:
What we quote is what you pay—no upsells, no add-ons, and no fine print.
A “cheap” $125/hr quote can easily snowball to $1,800+ for a 4-hour job once all the extras are added. With Root, that same service is $900—flat.
At Root Investigations, we work closely with attorneys, families, and businesses. Many of our investigations go to court—which means our work must stand up to legal scrutiny. Being able to count on court-admissible exact evidence from your divorce or child custody investigator is extremely important.
That includes:
Simply put, we charge for results that matter, not just time spent watching a door.
How much does a private investigator cost in NYC?
Root Investigations charges $900 for 4 hours and $1700 for 8 hours, all-inclusive.
Are there any hidden fees with Root Investigations?
None. Everything from travel to video reports is included in your initial quote.
Can I get a background check with my investigation?
Yes, standard background checks are always included.
What happens if I need more hours than quoted?
Flexible extensions can be added at a clear per-hour rate without back billing.
Will I be charged for meals or travel time?
No. Those expenses are included in your package rate.
Can the investigator appear in court if needed?
Yes, all documentation is court-ready, and appearances can be arranged.
We are a boutique private investigation agency serving New York City and Long Island with professional private investigation services.
We get to the root of the problem.
