We charge based on the "search we do," not necessarily the one "they ordered."  If they order a current owner, but have instructions to go back if we do not find a PMM, then we charge more if we have to go back further in the chain.  Thus, if we end up doing a 2-owner, or a 3-owner, that is what we charge for.  Our full searches are 42 years.  If at anytime a search goes back that far, we charge for a full. 

So, in the case of your 20 year search, we would not charge for a full search because it is still shy by 20+ years of what we consider a full search.  If the current owner really has owned it that long, it is still a current owner.  The way I see it, you have to take the good with the bad.  Some of them only owned the home for 6 months, some 20 years... most fall in between somewhere.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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