What Else You Need To Know in How To Hire An Investigator
Wherever the location; contacting a private investigator makes no real difference. Once you have found the investigator you plan to hire, you will want to know what information and questions may be asked of you. You should also have your own list of questions to ask to make sure they are right for you.
More On Contacting The Company You Want To Hire
Depending on whether you are contacting an agency with two or more investigators, a large company, or a single one-man business, may depend on how you contact them for a meeting (if you want to have a face to face meeting). A private investigator generally works from an office if there's more than one, and you can go to the agency's address for a personal visit, as you would any other business.
If you contact a private investigator that works alone in a one-man business they usually operate from their home, in a home-based office. If this is the case, a simple phone call or email to arrange an appointment will be necessary. However, they may not accept clients to their home but instead will arrange a place to meet. Don't let the fact that the investigator won't accept you to their home as a bad sign, as they have to protect themselves and their family from reprisals, from people they have investigated. You may end up meeting in a business center or having a virtual meeting.
What Information Will A Private Investigator Want To Know?
Before any contracts are signed the investigator will want to get an understanding of why you want to hire them. They will want to know your motives. And before you are accepted as a client they will most likely need to ascertain if, 1) what you are asking them to do is within the law and, 2) if the assignment is in fact feasible and can be done.
No legitimate private investigator or detective will accept a case that requires breaking the law. They may come up with other legal solutions to your problem that will be within the law, but don't use a private investigator illegally, or ask, or expect them to break the law for you. If an investigator is willing to break the law for you then don't hire them. The investigator should have a good understanding of the legalities of their profession to be able to advise a course of action before you hire them. You may have a case that's going to be way too difficult to take on or just plain not workable.
A seasoned and professional investigator knows what his or her limitations and capabilities are and whether they are right for your case. Respect the investigator who declines your case due to insurmountable complexities, or a case that's beyond their experience and training. If an investigator turns you down because of this then ask if they can recommend another agent. There may be another investigator who will have the additional skills required. Keep looking!
What Happens Once The Investigator Decides To Take On Your Case?
When the company you want to hire accepts your case they will want to go over the following details with you:
- Subject(s) of Enquiry Details: These are the details of the person (or persons) to be investigated or involved in the case, including vehicles and addresses. This can get very detailed and is best if you have photographs to provide the investigator.
- Fees: The investigator will have an idea of how to proceed with your case and depending on the type of service offered will depend on the private investigator's fee. The investigator will more than likely ask for a retainer (payment up front to secure his or her services).
- Contract: Once the investigator has a clear understanding of your requirements and you have discussed costs, they will present you with a Contract or Agreement Form detailing the particulars of the case and conditions of hiring.
Once you agree and sign the contract the investigator will open a case file and start working on your case. At this point there is no more you need to know in how to hire a private investigator, or do, except let the investigator you hired do his or her job. You will usually be contacted either for more information or to provide you with interim reports as your case progresses.
What Now?
The above guide will assist you in choosing the right private investigator and help you to weed out any bad candidates. By knowing these simple preliminary checks, even before contacting one, is very beneficial. Following and doing these steps will save you wasted time, potentially wasted money, and give you confidence in who you plan to hire. We hope this helps you and that you now have a good understanding of how to hire an investigator and what to look for. If you want to start looking for professional investigators you can search our private investigator directory.