Every project is different. This information is intended to outline the rates so the client has a good idea of the overall cost of a project.You will be given a list of the exact charges for your unique project.

Initial Consultation:

There is no charge for the preliminary research and initial consultation. We complete one hour’s worth of preliminary research in order to determine the difficulty level and find what records are available for your project. This is essential in giving you a fair bid. Others may quote you a price without knowing whether they can really help you or not. That is not our policy. Major websites charge $75-$90 per hour with a two hour minimum for an initial consultation.

Research Rates:

Our rates for performing the research are $40 per hour with a five hour minimum. That is slightly below the National average for a Professional Genealogist. Major websites charge $65-$90 per hour depending on how many hours you want to spend. The more time they spend, the less cost per hour. However, the minimum they will charge you is $65.

When considering whether to hire a Genealogist, you have to take several factors into account. First you must look at their experience level. We here at Family History Detective have performed hundreds of projects with a high success rate. We are trained to perform Genealogical research and new training continues to be a factor in our growth. You also have to look at the companies testimonials. You can find our client’s testimonials on this website. The feedback has been tremendous.

Miscellaneous Charges:

When performing this type of research you can have some additional charges. These vary with each project. If you are wanting a full family tree, you can choose for us to place it into a leather binder. The cost of the binder, paper, ink, post it notes, and page protectors is a total of $30. This only covers the cost of the materials. We are not making a profit on the materials. We do charge the client the appropriate shipping charges to get you the project. Our Corporate discount for the shipping charges is passed onto you.

Unlike others, we do not charge for copy fees in the library, travel, tolls, or related miscellaneous charges. If there is a document that must be ordered from a depository to complete your project, you will be notified ahead of time to approve the charges.

Deposit:

We will send an invoice that explains exactly what Family History Detective will be doing for you, the time frame, etc… For projects ten hours and over, there is a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the project. For projects under ten hours we require full payment.

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