THAT's the kicker:  "....you should be able to identify based on relevant state law which liens have a position ...."  I'M not going to research the law.  I'm not a title company, a lawyer, or a paralegal [any longer].  I'm an abstractor.  I don't attempt to perfect title.  When we -- as abstractors -- are asked to come to a conclusion about ANYTHING we're reporting, we're out of the realm of information providers into the realm of title examiners -- something I am definitely not insured for.

Do I have the ability and knowledge to do what they're asking?  Absolutely.  Am I willing to take that responsibility when I am not insured for it?  Absolutely not.  Why should any of us set this precedent?   And anytime a request starts off with "we just need...", I know it's trouble.  We cannot search a person's name for mortgages and do a laundry list from that.  We first have to find the vesting deed for the particular property they're asking about and THEN find the mortgages. 

I also do not understand why you'd assume an hourly rate.  Not something that's done in any of the states I cover unless it is a particularly nasty commercial search, and even then, there has to be a meeting of minds between the client and myself.  99% of our work is per job -- never per hour.  (This might be a Rhode Island thing?)