Transparent  ·  No surprises

Simple pricing.
You get what you pay for.

What it costs

Two fees. That's it.

Hourly rate
$55
per hour  ·  one hour minimum
The clock starts when we begin pulling and reviewing records. You set the time cap — we call before going over it. Travel and document wait time are never charged.
Required on all projects
Research log & report
$10
flat fee  ·  every project
Every project includes a written research log documenting all records searched, evidence found, and evidence not found. Required on every request — no exceptions.

We round up — always

Time is billed in full-hour increments, always rounded up. Every project has a minimum charge of one hour ($55) plus the $10 report fee = $65 minimum.

45 min → 1 hr ($55)
1 hr 10 min → 2 hrs ($110)
2 hrs exactly → 2 hrs ($110)

Never charged

Travel time to and from the library
Time spent waiting for documents to be pulled from storage
Sales tax — Texas does not tax professional research services
Clients are charged based on the research effort and verification process, not the existence or quantity of documents
Any documents or images provided are incidental to the research service and are not sold as standalone products
Booking deposit
A deposit of $65.00 is required to confirm your research request and add it to our visit queue. This covers your first hour of research and the mandatory report fee. Any additional hours worked are invoiced separately upon delivery.
First hour of research$55.00
Research log fee$10.00
Sales tax$0.00
Deposit due today$65.00
Begin your research →

Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

How does billing work exactly? +
We charge $55/hr billed in full-hour increments, always rounded up, with a one-hour minimum. Every project also includes a mandatory $10 research log fee. So the minimum you will ever pay is $65. A $65 deposit is due upfront — this covers your first hour and the report fee. Any additional hours are invoiced on delivery.
How do I know what to put in the scope? +
You need to identify the specific library, collection, box, file, and subject name before submitting. Use the library's online catalog to find call numbers and box/folder information. We do not locate resources for you — we retrieve items you have already identified. If you need help identifying what exists, request a discovery consultation first.
What if the record isn't found? +
You still receive the full research log and pay for time worked. Negative evidence — documenting that a record was searched and not found — is a legitimate and valuable research outcome. Knowing a record doesn't exist saves you from searching for it again.
How long does it take? +
We visit each library once per month and batch requests together. We confirm your booking within 2 business days of submission. If confirmed requests at a given library reach 8 hours of work before the scheduled visit, we go early. Plan for a wait of up to one month between submission and delivery.
How do I pay? +
A $65 deposit is due upon confirmation via our secure payment page. Any balance beyond the first hour is invoiced by email after the visit and must be paid before scans are delivered.
What file format are scans delivered in? +
High-resolution PDF and JPEG delivered via secure digital link. The research log is delivered as a PDF.
Can you research outside Texas? +
We currently operate exclusively at archives in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, and Houston. We do not travel outside our service area. Contact us if your record is held at another Texas institution — we may be able to help or refer you.
Is my information confidential? +
Yes. Your request details, research findings, and all documents are strictly confidential. We never share, publish, or discuss client information. All materials belong to you.
Why is the deposit non-refundable? +
Many manuscripts must be formally requested from library storage in advance — most institutions require a minimum of 7 business days' notice. The moment your request is confirmed, we begin that advance coordination on your behalf. This work cannot be undone, which is why the deposit is non-refundable once confirmed.