When hiring a process server, how much should you expect to pay? Do you save money if you retain a process server who is available on-demand for your needs? Is it more expensive to get a process server in one state than another?
These are all reasonable questions when you’re a lawyer or other professional who needs to use process servers to complete your work. Knowing how much process servers typically charge can help you make informed decisions.
When choosing a process server, you want to find someone who will fit within your budget and who will get the job done right.
How process servers set their fees
Most of the time, process servers set their own fees. The price can vary significantly depending on what state the server operates in, how much time they have to spend on each case, and how far they have to travel to serve process.
These are the factors that affect a process server’s fees:
- Location: Fees can vary depending on the geographic area and the distance the server needs to travel to deliver documents.
- Complexity of service: Some cases may require multiple attempts or special techniques to serve papers, which can increase the cost of service.
- Urgency: Rush or expedited services often come with higher fees.
- Type of document: Different legal documents may have varying fees associated with their delivery.
- Number of attempts: If multiple attempts are required to serve the documents, this can increase the overall cost.
- Experience and reputation: More experienced process servers may charge higher rates.
- Additional services: Some process servers offer skip tracing (locating hard-to-find individuals) or other supplementary services that can affect pricing.
- Local regulations: Some jurisdictions have laws or regulations that impact how process servers can operate and set their fees.
Price range for process serving
Taking these variables into account, the typical price ranges between $50 to $150 for basic services.
In many cases, process servers in rural areas may charge higher rates due to the longer distances and travel time required to serve papers. In contrast, in high-population cities, servers are often busier, allowing them to offer more competitive pricing and discounts, as they can profit from higher volumes of work and lower travel costs.
Keep in mind that the price range is for standard services. Any of the above scenarios can add more to your total. In some states, the cost of mandatory training and registration makes it more expensive to be a process server. Expect to see higher prices in those states.
Choosing the best process server pricing model
As a professional who needs to hire a process server, there are several pricing models to choose from. That said, your ability to choose one of these models is dependent upon the process servers in your area.
Flat rate vs. hourly rate
Process servers may charge either a flat rate or an hourly rate. Both have their pros and cons.
A flat fee covers all standard service options, regardless of the amount of time spent on the service of process. This typically covers a predetermined number of attempts within a certain radius. The benefits of hiring someone for a flat fee are that it gives your budget a lot of predictability and it simplifies billing and accounting.
There are some drawbacks, though. You may find yourself paying a lot of extra fees for more complicated cases. Depending on your line of work, these cases may be pretty common. Sometimes, process servers will rush service if they’re being paid a flat fee.
A process server who charges an hourly rate will charge based on the amount of time they spend attempting to serve process. There’s usually a minimum charge (often two hours), and your server should be able to give you an estimated time frame for each job.
The benefit of working with an hourly-rate process server is that the setup encourages thorough attempts. Process servers don’t feel the need to rush service when they’re paid by the hour.
The drawback is that the costs are less predictable. Additionally, if you don’t monitor the process server’s reporting, you may end up seeing inflated billing invoices.
Bundled service agreements for businesses with ongoing needs
Law firms and businesses with frequent service of process needs may consider bundled service agreements with process servers. These agreements offer consistency to the server and predictability for your business. A common approach is to bundle related services. An example of bundling could include services such as “skip and serve” or “file and serve,” where related tasks are grouped to streamline the process and billing.
For high-volume firms, the cost savings from this arrangement can be significant. You can also streamline your billing process and build a relationship with your process servers. Having people you can trust to serve process consistently and accurately is incredibly valuable.
Discounts for high-volume service requests
You may also be able to request volume discounts for large service requests. For example, if you’re responsible for a lawsuit that has dozens of damaged parties, you’ll need to send out dozens of sets of papers. In this situation, it’s a good idea to request a volume discount.
Here’s an example of how you could price this kind of arrangement:
- 1-10 serves: Standard rate
- 11-25 serves: 10% discount
- 26-50 serves: 15% discount
- 51+ serves: 20% discount
With this approach, you can consolidate service requests and save money on large-scale legal actions. Process servers who work with bulk requests become really efficient, too.
However, it may not be a good idea to use this strategy if you have a large number of time-sensitive documents to serve. If you have 25 defendants who need to be served, it may take one server a few weeks to get through them all. That won’t work if your case is time sensitive. In that circumstance, you will likely need to assign the service of process to multiple servers at the same time.
How Proceed connects businesses with fast, accurate process servers
When it comes to finding reliable and cost-effective process servers, Proceed stands out from the crowd. We offer our clients access to the highest-quality process servers nationwide.
Here’s what you can expect when you choose to work with Proceed:
- Access to a nationwide network of professional process servers who can handle your service needs in any state with total compliance to local regulations—including specialized coverage in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Maryland, Indiana, Connecticut, Utah, Wisconsin, and Vermont
- Flexible pricing models that suit your needs
- A rigorous vetting process ensures that we only contract with the most experienced, reliable, and competent process servers nationwide
- Technology-driven expertise, which we use to provide real-time updates, GPS tracking, and electronic proof of service
- Comprehensive services that go beyond standard process serving, including skip tracing, court e-filing, document retrieval, and more
- Support from our expert client service team, who are dedicated to friendly, professional service
- Cost transparency for all our clients, supporting our belief in clear, upfront pricing
Contact us today to learn how we can optimize your process serving requirements and keep your cases moving forward.
