The problem is that "retouching" can mean different things to different people. It's hard to know exactly what a person means when they say that they "retouch" your images. It's a little like someone saying that they are going to paint a room. Are they going to paint it all one color with a spray can? Are they going to faux-paint with sponges and special applicators? Will they being doing something in between those two extremes?
I can't speak for every photographer in town but I can tell you what I do and what I call it... so that you will at least understand what to expect from me.
But first, some technical mumbo-jumbo that will help you understand the process:
Professional photographers shoot in a format called RAW. Your pocket sized, point-and-shoot camera shoots in a format called .JPG. So does your phone.
What's the difference?