Reliable sources of information. Over the years we have developed a number of both open and confidential sources. We guard these sources jealously. Even though clients are sometimes billed for source information, the source's identity is never revealed and often the general nature of the source is not revealed. This is something wholly within the client's control.
Investigation costs money.
Sometimes costs are predictable - often they are not. Although we often set a preliminary budget which cannot be exceeded without the approval of the client, that approach can stop work in mid stream if the client cannot be reached in time. We counsel our clients to make certain that there is funding adequate to preclude that type of problem. More often we use a hybrid arrangement in which we agree to pay all expenses and commit all necessary resources for investigation each day or each week. We will not get into a case, blind, without knowing the background and we insist on knowing the client's overall objectives.