Planning to hire a private investigator but you are just not sure what to expect price-wise?
Procompare has been tracking trends in private investigator prices in years and here is the latest private investigator cost guide for year 2026.
What is cost data based on?
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by our Pros and on cost data retrieved from various specialized publications and websites, governmental reports, occupational associations or guilds, and related websites in South Africa.
Infidelity or cheating investigations are conducted to ascertain if a partner or spouse is unfaithful. Investigators employ various methods, including surveillance, social media monitoring, and tracking, to gather evidence. These services are highly discreet and sensitive, tailored to provide clients with peace of mind or the necessary proof for personal or legal actions. On average, expect to be charged between R6300 and R25,000 for infidelity investigation.
Get quotesMissing persons investigations aim to locate individuals who have disappeared under mysterious or unknown circumstances. This service involves exhaustive searches, interviews with acquaintances, and coordination with local authorities. Investigators use their expertise and resources to trace the missing person's last known movements, potentially leading to their whereabouts. Missing persons investigation costs range between R13,000 and R44,000 with an average of R25,000.
Get quotesAsset tracing involves identifying and locating assets such as properties, vehicles, and investments. It's particularly useful in legal disputes, divorce cases, or debt recovery efforts, employing investigative techniques to uncover hidden or undisclosed assets. The price depends on the complexity of the investigation. Asset tracing costs range between R6300 and R19,000 with an average of R11,000.
Get quotesBackground checks are comprehensive reviews of an individual’s personal, professional, and, at times, financial history. This service is crucial for employers, landlords, or individuals entering new personal or professional relationships. Checks can uncover information about criminal records, employment history, education verification, and other relevant details to assess trustworthiness or reliability. The final price depends on the complexity of the investigation. For background check, expect to pay between R1900 and R6300.
Get quotesThese investigations aim to expose crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, and theft. Private investigators gather evidence, identify suspects, and support legal proceedings or recovery actions, working closely with law enforcement when necessary. The price depends on the complexity of the investigation, means used, time, etc. The average cost of criminal / fraud / theft Investigation is R31,000, or typically between R13,000 and R63,000.
Get quotesFocused on ensuring the child's best interests in custody disputes, these investigations assess living conditions, safety, and treatment of the child by parents or guardians. Investigators may use surveillance, background checks, and interviews to gather evidence. The price depends on the techniques used and the complexity of the investigation. Child custody investigation costs range between R10,000 and R31,000 with an average of R19,000.
Get quotesThe average cost of private surveillance services in South Africa can vary widely depending on the complexity and duration of the surveillance required. The price range is pretty big and accounts for different levels of surveillance efforts, from simple tasks to more complex and lengthy investigations. The average cost of private surveillance is R8800, or typically between R4400 and R19,000.
Get quotesclaimed farm with coal minerals in and gazetted in in Bronkhorspruit Gauteng top polititians want to steal it and applied shopping complex stand in in Soshanguve municipality first they said have no objection later said given to someone else. want court order to eccecute them i have free court orders eccecuters by the name of Moja Love Channel
The suspect is a Chief of a village. Influential within ANC circles. Villagers are asked to contribute each household R and more. It is alleged these funds are for paying a lawyer to stop the eviction or demolition order. The matter has been going on for over 15 years, to collect monies for a court case does not make sense at this stage. The money that has been collected is now over R80 form poor villagers.
It's a GEPF fraud, my brother managed to remove me and my sister as benefiaries and add his two children instead, I think that was done with my aunts phone on gepf website (Deceased) ( otp) since he has the phone with him. She died on the 8th December , the following week I went to GEPF and i was shown a screen with details of me, my sister and my brother with percentages and amounts. The guy who was helping me gave some forms to take to the bank to fill some details and give back (gepf) and I did, he then told me to come back back in February as the process takes about two months, in February when I come back, my name and my sister's were no longer there but only my brother and his two kids were there Important: changes he made was done after death, history on the gepf database should show the sequence of beneficiaries and dates as well. The phone data can show the day of communication with gepf
My wife decided to go and rent a place im not sure of the date but I have an incident that can give me the dates. She said it's not you it's me (her) I want to go find myself . My response was maybe a shock because I didn't ask anything. I just agreed to what she said and left the next weekend she took the bed she bought and left with the help of her sister's elder son that I've raised. She told my younger sister that she consulted her friend and she suggested that she must go rent. But her sister's kids where left behind.
My son ex fell pregnant with his child before they broke up. She told us that she aborted the baby and also it was not his. He have messed him around. We were not allowed to have any contact with her. Monday she showed up at my work to talk and i saw a picture on her cell of her son from previous relationship and a baby girl. She said that is her brothers child. The Explanation that she gave of what happened to the baby does not add up. I want to find out if she really have aborted the baby or is the baby girl on the photo my son's.
claimed farm with coal minerals in and gazetted in in Bronkhorspruit Gauteng top polititians want to steal it and applied shopping complex stand in in Soshanguve municipality first they said have no objection later said given to someone else. want court order to eccecute them i have free court orders eccecuters by the name of Moja Love Channel
Yes my wife left me to go rent an apartment. When she left she hit with ( its not you it's me ) she claims she wanted to find herself. Contrary to that she told my younger sister that she consulted her friend and she advised that I'm now broke she must move out of the house. But the funny part she left her niece that we raised she's now a mother of 3 kids. She comes to house as she pleases . She once said we need to not long after she left it's now almost 4 years
I was kidnapped using my car. The criminals kept me in forest fir for four hours trying to transfer school money to the beneficiary on the bank app but they fail as it requires an otp. My cellphone , bankcard were taken. They were strangling me so I tell them the easiest way to transfer the money. I want them to be caught and arrested
Good afternoon, My sister went missing on the 22 August to spar in Flora Park to buy bread ,she never return home the following day her body was found dead dumped somewhere far feom where she was going,I am asking for a quote especially to trace husband s phone if he didnt pick her at spar or if he wasnt with her in mokopane
I was kidnapped using my car. The criminals kept me in forest fir for four hours trying to transfer school money to the beneficiary on the bank app but they fail as it requires an otp. My cellphone , bankcard were taken. They were strangling me so I tell them the easiest way to transfer the money. I want them to be caught and arrested
