http://www.iptechblog.com/2017/02/prior-art-searching-before-patent-filing-can-save-both-time-and-money-judicious-budgeting-decisions-for-patent-portfolio-owners/#page=1
Aside from the reasons stated in the above article, prior art searches also have the potential to save an inventor thousands of dollars in non-refundable filing fees in the event that damning prior art is discovered as a result of the search. Also, the value of understanding the prior art before drafting a claim set cannot be overstated: for subsequent amendments to claim sets generate prosecution history and also surrender equivalents once they are made. Generally speaking, the less arguments/revisions you need to make to the United States Patent and Trademark Office in order to get your patent issued, the less ammunition litigators will have when attempting to invalidate your patent later (which usually occurs after you bring an infringement suit against one or more allegedly infringing parties).
Aside from the reasons stated in the above article, prior art searches also have the potential to save an inventor thousands of dollars in non-refundable filing fees in the event that damning prior art is discovered as a result of the search. Also, the value of understanding the prior art before drafting a claim set cannot be overstated: for subsequent amendments to claim sets generate prosecution history and also surrender equivalents once they are made. Generally speaking, the less arguments/revisions you need to make to the United States Patent and Trademark Office in order to get your patent issued, the less ammunition litigators will have when attempting to invalidate your patent later (which usually occurs after you bring an infringement suit against one or more allegedly infringing parties).