Historical Information Gatherers

Ordering from HIG

Ordering from HIG is easy! Not sure of the best way? Call us and we will be happy to walk you through the ordering process! Call 952-253-2004, extension 0 to connect with one of HIG’s helpful staff members.

How to Place an Order

Option A – Submit an order form by email.  
This method is the quickest way to get your order into our research queue!
System requirements:  Adobe Reader version 7.0 or higher and an email account.

  • Type in your contact information as you wish it to appear on the finished product we will send you.
  • Type in the site information as you wish it to appear on the finished product we will send you.
  • Select the items you would like to order and the turnaround time required.
  • At the bottom of the form (under Notes) you can add information that may better help us understand what you need.  For example, if you would like to tell us which streets and what address range you would like HIG to research for city directory (CD) coverage, just write your notes in the Notes section. Here is an example:  “CD streets: 400-700 Main Street, 400-700 Rail Street, 0-200 5th Avenue North, 0-200 6th Avenue North.”
  • If you would like a copy of your completed order form, click on the Print Form button on the bottom of the order form.
  • You are now ready to send us your order!  Click the Submit by Email button on the bottom of the form and an email addressed to orders@historicalinfo.com will automatically be generated.  This email will have an attached .xml file that contains all the data you entered in the order form. 
  • Please attach a site location/boundary map to this same email.  A map helps ensure that we complete research on the full extent of your site.
  • Lastly, click send on the email and your order will be on its way to HIG.

Option B – Submit an order form by fax.
Use this method if you do not have the system requirements for the preferred Option A above.
System requirements:  Adobe Reader, a printer and a fax machine.

  • Type in your contact information and the site information then select the item(s) you are ordering and the required turnaround time.
  • Print the form by clicking on the Print Form button on the bottom of the order form.
  • Fax the order form along with a site location/boundary map to 952-253-2005.  No cover sheet needed!

Option C – Submit an order by phone.
Use this method if you do not have the system requirements for the preferred Option A or Option B above.
System requirements:  a telephone

  • Place a call to HIG at 952-253-2004 or toll free 877-517-2186 and press 0 to talk to a Researcher or Client Services Coordinator.
  • Tell us you need to place a phone order and tell us your contact information, the site information, the items you would like to order and the turnaround time required.  Please be patient as we pull up a map to make sure we understand your site parameters! 
  • The HIG Coordinator will fill out an order form on your behalf and enter it into our research queue.

Paying for your order
Companies that have an established credit history with HIG will be invoiced within five business days of order completion. The invoice will be sent to the email address entered in the client information section of the order form or to the person the company has designated to receive invoices.

If you or your company is ordering for the first time, pre-payment with a credit card number is required at the time of ordering.  We accept Visa or MasterCard.  You can type the credit card number and expiration date in the “Notes” section at the bottom of the order form.  Alternatively, you can call us with the credit card number and expiration date.  Once good credit history is established, subsequent orders can be invoiced upon completion.

What happens after you submit your order
HIG will review your order form and send you an Order Confirmation email within 24 hours.  The Order Confirmation email lets you know we received your order and provides you with your HIG project number (for example MAJ-123), the project due date and contact information for a HIG Client Services Coordinator.  If you do not receive an Order Confirmation email within 24 hours, please give us a call to verify we received your order.

When your order is completed
When your order is completed, you will receive an Order Completion email that details how to download your order from our FTP server.  By using the FTP link we provide, you will be taken to the inside of your digital project folder where all of your project files are contained. Your project folder is given the HIG project number, for example MAJ-123. By navigating up one level, you will see your current project folder and all other active project folders for you or your company.  Each project folder is kept on the FTP server for 30 calendar days.  

If you requested paper prints or a disk of your order, these will be shipped via UPS Ground or US Postal Service by 4pm on the due date.  You will receive an Order Completion email which will include the tracking number and estimated date of delivery.   

What comes with your completed order
Inside your digital project folder are all of your project files. Each component of your order such as aerial photographs, maps, city directories and the Summary of Historical Research is presented as a separate PDF file.  

The Summary of Historical Research is the cover sheet that presents a summary of the services requested and a list of the data provided by HIG for your site. When a particular product or service was requested but no data was available, the research conducted by HIG is documented on the Summary of Historical Research. The invoice for your project will be sent via email within five business days.

To make changes after you have placed an order
We want to be sure you get exactly what you need and we understand that the parameters of a project can change rapidly.  To make a change to an order already submitted, please call us and refer to the HIG project number you received in your Order Confirmation email.

You may add new services, request your project be delivered in an alternative file type, place your project on “Hold” or request Urgent service.  If you cancel a service, you may incur a charge if work has already been initiated on that service. Urgent service is not retroactive, but applies from the date the change is made.