424 South State Street * Dover, DE 19901
(302) 734-8475
MANY FACTORS GO INTO SETTING EXACT FEES AND ARE DONE SO ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
REDUCED FEES ARE APPLIED TO CASES INVOLVING ATTORNEY / PARTNERS AND THEIR CLIENTS. REDUCED FEES ARE ALSO APPLIED TO INVESTIGATIONS WHERE THE CLIENT / DEFENDENT HAS BEEN APPOINTED LEGAL COUNSEL BY THE COURTS.
FEES ARE QUOTED EITHER HOURLY OR FLAT.
IN THE EVENT THAT YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY RETAIN OUR SERVICES, IT IS ONLY FOR INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES AND IN NO WAY PROVIDES YOU WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
F.A.Q.
Q.What should I expect to pay for your services? What are your rates? How do you determine a flat fee?
A. See fee agreement below for basic guidelines.
The hourly rates are listed but are however reduced for attorneys and/or their clients to $75 an hour.
You should expect to pay approximately:
$75 for private process service (per paper) within Kent County
$75 - $250 for basic computer searches (locate person(s), backgrounds, DMV, criminal records, judgements & leins, pre-employment / tennant screenings, etc.).
$250 - $500 for basic field investigations / light surveillence - misdemeanor offenses (locating / interviewing victims / witnesses - 3 people or less).
$500 - $1,000 for more indepth field investigations / surveillence - felony offenses (locating / interviewing victims / witnesses - 1 - 5 people).
$1,000 - $2,500 for major / violent criminal offenses, including but not limited to rape, robbery and murder. This would also be an approx. estimate for major covert surveillence, including but not limited to adultery / family - domestic matters.
$2,500 - $5,000 for capital murder.
*** Corporate / Retail Investigation rates range from $100 - $250 per interview, 1-5 employees. $75 per interview for 5-10 and $50 per for 10 or more employees.
*** Addl. cost may be incurred for surveillence, accounting / financial investigations, travel / misc. expenses and court testimony.
*** Will discuss rates on an individual basis.
Fee Agreement
Client’s Name: ___________________________________________________Date: __________________________________
Phone Number, Email and Address where we can contact you:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scope of Investigation:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Note. Throughout this document Shore Investigative & Security Services may be referred to as simply “Shore”.
1. Services to be Provided.
This will confirm that Shore will provide private investigation services, by a licensed, bonded and insured private investigator, to the above-referenced client, in connection with the above-referenced case. At the conclusion of the investigation, Shore will provide a written report summarizing our investigation and findings.
2. Hourly Rate.
Standard Rates: (Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 8:00pm) All time expended will be charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour. Additional man-hours will be billed at the rate of $25.00 each.
Premium Rates: (Mon. - Fri. 8:00pm - 8:00am and/or weekends regardless of the time) will be charged at a rate of $150.00 per hour. Additional man-hours will be billed at the rate of $50.00 each.
All time will be billed in increments of hours and tenths of hours. In addition, all motor vehicle travel will be billed at a rate of $0.75 per mile, per vehicle.
paragraph 4., below, Shore will bill periodically for time and expenses incurred. All bills are due upon receipt, and prompt payment is expected. All bills remaining unpaid for more than 90 days will be deemed “90 days past due” and will incur a late fee of 5% of the total unpaid balance per month.
______ (please initial)
3. Flat Fee.
Shore agrees to provide investigative services for a flat fee of $__________________.
Shore will deem when the case is considered closed / no further action to be taken and reserves the right to require additional fees if the client request additional services, i.e.; additional investigation, depositions, testimony, etc.
______ (please initial)
You have provided a non-refundable retainer in the amount of $_________________.
If and when the retainer is completely depleted, Shore reserves the right to suspend all services until an additional retainer is provided by the client. If another retainer is not required, Shore will provide periodic billing statements showing the balance on the account (see subject to paragraph 4) (page1).
5. Expenses.
All expenses are the sole responsibility of the Client. In the event that Shore advances payment of an expense, Client agrees to reimburse Shore for same. Expenses may include, but are not limited to items such as airfare, motel or hotel accommodations, videotapes, audiotapes or other media, long distance telephone charges, copying charges, postage, and other costs.
6. Testimony.
Shore agrees to provide testimony in any court hearing, arbitration or deposition concerning our investigation and findings. Client must provide written notification at least three weeks in advance of any such hearing, arbitration or deposition. Shore reserves the right to require additional fees and/or payment in full of balances deemed 90 days past due before scheduling testimony.
7. Evidence.
In the course of investigating a matter, Shore may obtain tapes or other items that may be considered evidence. For example, in interviewing a witness Shore may make a sound recording of the witness’s statement. Or during surveillance, Shore may videotape the subject. All original physical or documentary evidence is the property of the Client, and Shore will deliver the same to you as soon as we may conveniently do so. For safe-keeping purposes, Shore may in our sole discretion elect to copy any evidence obtained in the course of our investigation.
This written document is the entire agreement between the Client and Shore Investigative & Security Services, and may only be modified in writing signed by the parties. Shore reserves the right to terminate this agreement if Client’s unpaid balance remains due for more than 90 days, or for other good cause. Client agrees to pay all costs and fees, including attorney’s fees, required to collect any unpaid balance under this contract.
The laws of the State of Delaware will control this agreement. The parties hereby agree that any lawsuit arising out of this agreement will be brought only in the State of Delaware.
9. Note.
This fee agreement only provides investigative and/or security services by Shore Investigative & Security Services. It in no way entitles you to legal representation by any attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties by their duly authorized representatives have signed this Agreement to signify their acceptance of the terms herein as of the date set forth above.
__________________________________________________________
CLIENT / ATTORNEY
__________________________________________________________
GARY K. MARSHALL Jr. for Shore Investigative & Security Services
A Division of Eastern Shore Enterprises, Inc.
424 S. State Street, * Dover, Delaware 19901
(302) 734-8475 * (302) 734-8476 fax
Licensed * Bonded * Insured
