Red Keith

Contracts are boring. Lawsuits are exciting. Let’s be boring.

For some smaller projects like quick background checks, we don’t always contract with our clients. But for the vast majority of our work we do.

Typically we require some or all of the project budget to be paid before work starts.

But we also recognize every client has unique needs, and we are happy to talk about altering our standard contracts when it makes sense for you, your business, or your project.

That said, these are the typical terms found on our contracts. If you are working with an attorney, and especially if your attorney will be hiring us (in a work-product context) they may want to review this ahead of time.

Our contracts are designed to protect both of us

  1. The client will pay a retainer of $X prior to commencement of services. 
  2. Red Keith will conduct investigative and administrative activities, chargeable against the retainer at $200 per hour after deducting actual and reasonable expenses. Fractions of hours are charged in 15 minute increments, rounded down in the client’s favor. Mileage is included in the hourly rate. Upon reaching a chargeable amount equal to the retainer Red Keith will, unless otherwise authorized by the client, furnish a detailed invoice reporting all charges and expenses within 15 days.
  3. CLIENT EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT IF THE CLIENT EXECUTES THIS AGREEMENT AND THEN WISHES TO CANCEL THIS INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT ONCE WORK HAS BEGUN, THAT AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HALF (50 PERCENT) OF THE DEPOSIT FEE BE PAID TO THE AGENCY AS A CASE INTAKE FEE.
  4. Client acknowledges that Red Keith’s fees are not contingent upon the outcome or results of the above referenced investigation. Red Keith makes no warranties or guarantees of any kind, express or implied, as to the results of this investigation.
  5. The client agrees that, after chargeable activities equal to the retainer amount are conducted, either:
    • Red Keith is authorized to continue the investigation for up to X hours of billable time at $200 per hour. OR
    • No further investigative activities are authorized
  6. The client agrees that additional activities of company employees will be paid by the client at the rate of $200 per hour per employee, plus actual and reasonable expenses as mentioned above, and to include meetings, conferences, and court appearances.
  7. The client agrees to compensate Red Keith for court appearances or depositions either prior or subsequent to the completion of the investigative services outlined in this contract, whether under subpoena or not, and regardless of the party requesting the appearance. Any appearance over 5 hours will be capped at $500 for that day, and travel time to court or deposition is included in this time calculation. This does not include airfare or hotel costs, where applicable, and those will be billed at the same amount we were charged.
  8. The client assumes responsibility to provide accurate information concerning the investigation. The company is not responsible for unproductive investigative time resulting from inaccurate information supplied by the client. The client will provide Red Keith copies of any videos, photographs, police reports or court paperwork like complaints or summons we request, before investigative work will begin. 
  9. Red Keith will maintain reasonable communications with the client during the period of the investigation. The client agrees that meetings and conversations with company representatives may be billed to the client at the rate of $200 per hour.
  10. Red Keith agrees to provide within 15 days of conclusion of the investigation services conducted herein, a written report accurately detailing the hours worked, activities fully accounting for time charged, and results of the investigation.
  11. Red Keith will not engage in any illegal or unethical activity and the client certifies that they are not knowingly requesting any illegal services. Client certifies they are aware the results of an investigation are not guaranteed and the information obtained in an investigation may not be what is desired, nor in favor of the client.
  12. Original videotapes, hard drives, and other physical media will not be released to the client, but will remain the property of Red Keith until required to be surrendered in court as evidence.
  13. Red Keith reserves the right to withhold reports and media products pending payment in full and bank clearance of any payments made.
  14. Client affirms that information requested or discovered during the investigation is not to be used for harassment, stalking, intimidation, threats, or any other illegal purpose.  Client indemnifies and holds harmless Red Keith, its employees, agents, and contractors, from damage, losses, costs and expenses, including any attorney fees or legal fees suffered in connection with, or arising from, claims based on this investigation. This includes any civil or criminal actions, claims, third party claims, lawsuits, disciplinary actions, or any losses alleged to be caused by Red Keith or its employees, agents, and contractors. Red Keith is responsible for illegal acts or gross negligence of its employees, agents, and contractors.
  15. Investigative results are for the client’s use only. Client agrees to restrict the dissemination of findings only to third parties with a legitimate need to know or who are authorized by law. Client will hold harmless Red Keith from damages, loss, expenses, and claims, including attorney fees, incurred out of claims based on investigative findings to client, and for which client fails to keep confidential.
  16. The laws of the State of Washington shall govern this agreement. Client agrees that in the event of any litigation regarding fees owed to Red Keith, jurisdiction and venue shall be in King County, Washington.

See, that’s pretty fair, right?

Our flat fee project contracts are similar, with the only major change being the flat fee, rather than the hourly rate. If you have any questions about our contract language, please contact us.