I was wondering if people would be so kind as to post exactly
the amount of $$ they charge for this kind of service.
I have acquired the following information based upon a liberal survey of web sites that posted rate for services. Rates range from 100 - 500 per hour. The low end for non-forensic discovery and the high end for "Expert Testimony"! The median is 200-250 for forensic analysis with a minmum of 3 hours. Most sites state analysis varies from 10-25 hours per hard drive and require retainers varying from 1000-5000 per case. These sites offer a wide range of services and varying fees.
Yes, some of these numbers may seem high. Computer Forensic Analyst in business for themselves are no different than other professionals and need Professional Liability Insurance plus Omissions and Errors Insurance [incase you make a mistake]! This insurance is sold in million dollar units – At least the quotes I have recieved, and they ain't cheap!
Hope, I did not violate some unwritten code! Oh Well!
I have acquired the following information based upon a liberal survey of web sites that posted rate for services. Rates range from 100 - 500 per hour. The low end for non-forensic discovery and the high end for "Expert Testimony"! The median is 200-250 for forensic analysis with a minmum of 3 hours. Most sites state analysis varies from 10-25 hours per hard drive and require retainers varying from 1000-5000 per case.
Actually, that information is quite useful to me. After having several attorneys balk at the rate I charged, and trying to give me no retainer or a retainer that barely covered the cost of the blank hard drive, I wish I could show them this! The last few cases I did cost the client less than $5000, and they were STILL complaining! There is still a perception that we are doing what any computer person could do.
BTW My "hours per hard drive" are higher, but I don't charge for straight machine time, and that includes the time to do the report, etc.
-TVD
I believe the reason a lot of the Lawers balk is because they are probably comparing your rates to local or nationally advertised Data Recovery estimates. I have experienced the exact same problem with local IT shops. I had one IT Manager that I had known for years tell me he could have it done in half the time for half the cost. I politely smiled handed him his harddrive and wished him good luck.
You can search google for "Computer Forensic" and "rates". I went through quite a few hits to obtain my data. You probably could refine the search with "per hour" or "hourly rate" for better quality hits. I found reading other professionals advertising very interesting.
Good luck.
I know a lot of you guys are just getting started in the field and have questions about what to charge. In my area rates are all over the place, with retired LE folks doing it on the cheap and others doing it on the high end.
I always get a retainer and a portion of it is non-refundable as stated in my service agreement. I typically only charge one hour to image a hard drive in my lab since that is all the hands-on it takes to do one. I do not charge for machine time since I don't think that is fair. (My opinion only)
However I charge my hourly rate for everything else, including travel to and from meetings, court, etc. I am selling my time just like an attorney and that is what I bill the client for.
If you are new to the field and do not have references / reputation, you will find it hard to charge the same rates that an established examiner can. A suggestion is that you take the average rate you think is correct for your area and start with a percentage of that and raise your rates as you get experience and build a reputation.
The primary reason for getting a retainer, is that their are cases where you will have trouble getting paid. This is especially true in domestic work and some civil work. By getting a minimum non-refundable amount that will cover the imaging and initial analysis, you know you will be paid at least for that.
However, you must understand that if you take a reguarler retainer, you must report to the client the amount used on a regular basis and be prepared to refund the unused amount.
Unless the case is indigent or is coming from a law firm I know well, I do not take cases without up front money. It is not worth the hassle. You may not be in that position in the beginning and will have to risk not getting paid for some work.
Also, I stipulate in my agreement that the client will not get a report until the final bill is paid.
Quite frankly if you have attorneys, etc. balking at the prices you propose, one of two things is going on You have not sold the value of your services properly or the client is too cheap to do business with. I would consider the first one as the most likely, especially since the attorney is not paying you, the client is.
You have to remember that selling your service is probably more important than providing your service. All things being equal, you should be prepared to provide excellent professional services. Being able to provide the service and sell it are two different animals.