Five Tips To Consider When Hiring A Private Investigator

Private detectives are highly skilled professionals. In today's high-tech world, it takes hours of training and a wealth of experience to meet an investigator's needs. Although the investigator is frequently associated with following a spouse around to determine if they are cheating on their spouse, this is only a brief glimpse of the private investigator's capabilities. Because a private investigator can perform a wide variety of tasks, you must understand how to hire one so that you can select the best one for your situation. The following are five tips for hiring a private investigator:

1. Confirm that the private investigator you're hiring is licensed. In most states (except Colorado, Minnesota, and Idaho), licensing is required, so your detective must have a private investigator license. This requirement exists for a reason: to protect the consumer. This prevents individuals from waking up one day and declaring, "Today, I'm going to be a private investigator," and jumping into a high-stakes case, jeopardizing the outcome. The majority of people will only require the services of a private investigator once in their lives, and that one time will be critical.

In Florida, for example, one must serve as an intern for two years, which equates to two consecutive years of 40-hour workweeks. This translates to approximately 4,000 hours of supervised training. This internship/training program is overseen by a C-licensed private investigator. If you hire a private investigator, you can be sure that he or she will be able to handle your case properly.

2. Check to see if the private investigator firm is insured or bonded. State requirements vary, but regardless of which state you live in, they typically require their investigation agencies to be insured. A properly insured or bonded agency will protect and insure you in the event of an accident. It doesn't matter if the agency isn't properly insured or bonded; both you, the customer, and the agency are protected from liability.

3. Inquire about the agencies/investigators that have handled cases similar to yours. Numerous private investigation firms specialize in a particular area of investigation, while others cover a broad range of private investigation services. Ascertain that the private investigator you hire is knowledgeable about the type of investigation you require. Allowing your case to become "Training Day" will almost certainly mean that some parts of the case will be forgotten.

4. Before hiring the investigator, familiarize yourself with the charges and payment terms. A private investigator should be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of the charges that will be brought in your case. Like a painter providing an estimate for your home, a private investigator should provide you with an estimate for your case. The painter is already aware of the time required to paint the house. How did he find out? He is aware because he has done so previously. Likewise, private investigations are subject to the same limitations. They are aware that the average spouse cheating case takes approximately xx days to complete and that a background check takes approximately xx hours.

Once you understand the charges, you can comprehend the billing. Each investigation agency bills differently, ranging from an upfront retainer to a fixed hourly rate to progressive payments. You will be able to figure out if this private investigator is a good fit for your budget if you know how they will be paid in advance.

5. What type of equipment does the PI possess? In today's rapidly changing high-tech world, possessing cutting-edge technology can mean the difference between winning and losing a case. The technology available to a private investigator and/or private investigation agency varies significantly. Are they low-tech, old-school private investigators who rely on their handy notebooks and "street smarts"? Alternatively, is the investigator you intend to hire equipped with cutting-edge laptops equipped with mobile broadband, satellite photography software, and membership in large Internet databases? When your case is on the line, having the proper equipment is critical.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are numerous tips for hiring a private investigator. The critical factor is identifying one who can live up to your expectations. With so many options, you must follow these tips and invest the time necessary to make an informed decision. Today's private investigator wears numerous hats. They can assist attorneys with case investigation, businesses with data security and collection, and individuals with a variety of potential issues. Additionally, the investigator can assist insurance companies. If you find yourself in a situation that necessitates the services of a private investigator, do not hesitate to hire someone who will live up to your expectations. We've outlined five strategies for getting it right the first time.