Professional Private Investigation Services
What Does a Private Investigator Actually Do?
A private investigator is a licensed professional who gathers lawful, documented information to help individuals, attorneys, and businesses answer a specific question — whether that involves a person’s activities, a company’s exposure, or facts a court will need to see. Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations provides licensed private investigation services for clients across the United States, combining traditional fieldwork with digital and open-source methods to build findings that hold up to scrutiny.
This page is a general overview of what private investigation services involve, who typically hires an investigator, and how an engagement works from first call to final report. If you already know which service you need, our specialist pages go deeper on TSCM bug sweeps, cyber investigations, and online dating investigations.
Who This Page Is For
You are in the right place if you are trying to understand what a private investigator can realistically do before you commit to hiring one — whether you are a private individual facing a personal situation, an attorney evaluating investigative support for a case, or a business owner weighing due diligence or an internal concern.
Why Licensing and Method Matter
Anyone can call themselves an investigator online. What actually protects you is a state license, a documented method, and a firm willing to put its findings in writing.
- Licensed & Accountable
Every investigation is conducted by a regulated agency, not an unregulated freelancer.
- Broad Case Capabilities
From background checks to digital forensics, most investigative needs are handled without bringing in outside vendors.
- Discreet & Confidential
Your inquiry, your case details, and your identity are handled with strict confidentiality throughout.
- Remote & Field Capability
Many cases can begin, and some can conclude, without an investigator ever needing to be on-site.
- Court-Ready Documentation
Findings are recorded and preserved so they can support legal, HR, or personal decision-making.
- Statewide & National Reach
Corporate offices Orlando and Naples, with the ability to support cases across Florida and nationwide.
What a Private Investigator Does
At its core, private investigation is the lawful collection and documentation of information a client cannot easily gather on their own — because it requires specialized skills, access to public and licensed records, surveillance training, digital forensics knowledge, or simply the time and objectivity an outside professional can bring. An investigator’s job is to find verifiable facts, document how those facts were obtained, and present them clearly, without embellishment or promised outcomes.
Common Types of Investigations
The specific work varies widely by case, but most investigations fall into a handful of recognizable categories:
- Infidelity and relationship concerns, including discreet surveillance and documentation
- Child custody and family law support for attorneys and parents
- Pre-employment, tenant, and business background checks
- Due diligence on individuals, partners, or business opportunities
- Employee misconduct, internal theft, and workplace investigations
- Insurance claim and fraud investigations
- Asset location and skip tracing
- Missing persons research, within the bounds of what a private investigator can lawfully pursue
- Litigation support, including witness location and evidence documentation
- Technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) bug sweeps
- Cyber, OSINT, and online dating or romance scam investigations
Some of these — particularly TSCM, cyber, and online dating cases — are substantial enough that we maintain dedicated service pages with more detail; see the links at the bottom of this page.
Who Hires a Private Investigator
Individuals come to us with a personal concern — a relationship, a family matter, a safety question, or a need to verify someone they have met online or are about to do business with. Attorneys engage investigative support for case preparation, including witness location, background research, surveillance, and evidence that needs to be documented in a way that holds up in court. Businesses hire investigators for due diligence, internal misconduct, fraud, background screening, and technical security concerns such as a suspected listening device in a conference room. Across all three groups, the common thread is a specific factual question that needs a lawful, documented answer.
Remote Investigations vs. Field Investigations
Not every case requires an investigator to be physically present. Records research, open-source intelligence (OSINT), background verification, digital forensics, and many online dating or fraud investigations can be conducted remotely, often starting the same day. Other cases — physical surveillance, in-person interviews, TSCM bug sweeps, and process-related fieldwork — require a licensed investigator on location. Many engagements combine both: remote research to build a picture, followed by targeted fieldwork once we know exactly what to look for.
Licensing and Legal Compliance
Private investigation is a regulated profession, and a legitimate investigator works within specific legal boundaries: no trespassing, no impersonating law enforcement or another person, no illegal wiretapping, and no accessing records or databases a private investigator is not authorized to use. If a request falls outside what can be done lawfully, we will tell you directly rather than take the engagement.
Confidentiality
Your identity, your reason for reaching out, and everything discussed during your consultation are treated as confidential. Case details are shared only with you and, at your direction, your attorney. We do not discuss active or past client matters with outside parties.
How the Investigative Process Works
Most engagements begin with a confidential consultation to understand what you already know, what you need to find out, and what outcome would actually help you. From there we scope the investigation, explain what is realistic, and provide a clear estimate before any work begins. Depending on the case, work may involve records research, surveillance, interviews, digital analysis, or a combination, with regular updates so you are never waiting in the dark for a final report.
What Affects the Cost
Pricing depends on the type of investigation, its complexity, how much fieldwork versus remote research is involved, the geographic area to be covered, and how quickly you need results. A records-based background check is a different scope than multi-day surveillance across several locations. Rather than publish a flat rate that would not reflect your actual situation, we provide a clear, written estimate during your consultation.
What You Receive
At the conclusion of an investigation, you receive a clear written account of what was done and what was found. Depending on the engagement, deliverables can include a findings report, supporting documentation such as photographs or records, a timeline of events, and guidance on next steps. When a matter may proceed to litigation or an administrative hearing, we handle findings in a way intended to support that use.
What a Private Investigator Cannot Do
A licensed investigator works within real legal limits. We cannot trespass on private property, wiretap communications without proper consent or legal authority, access law-enforcement-only databases, impersonate an officer or government official, or guarantee a specific outcome. Any firm that promises otherwise is telling you what you want to hear, not what is legally possible — and that should be treated as a warning sign, not a selling point.
Nationwide Support, Florida Roots
Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations is based in Florida, with corporate offices Orlando and Naples, and supports clients throughout the state and across the country. Remote and digital investigative work can generally begin regardless of where you are located; cases requiring in-person fieldwork outside Florida are coordinated with properly licensed local support so the work stays within the law wherever it takes place. Learn more on our nationwide private investigation services page.
Why Redbeard
Clients work with us because we combine licensed accountability with real investigative range — from traditional surveillance to digital forensics, OSINT, and technical countermeasures — without outsourcing the parts of the case that matter most. We would rather explain honestly what an investigation can and cannot establish than oversell what we can deliver.
If You Already Know What You Need
Some situations point clearly to a specific service: a suspected listening device or hidden camera calls for a TSCM bug sweep, a person you met online who will not video call or meet in person may warrant an online dating investigation, and a matter involving digital evidence, hacking, or cryptocurrency may call for cyber investigation services. If you are not sure which applies, a consultation will help identify the right approach.
Talk to Us in Confidence
If you are trying to decide whether a private investigator is the right next step, a direct conversation is the fastest way to find out. Contact Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations at (888) 564-8300 or email contact@redbeardpi.com for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a private investigator actually do?
A licensed investigator gathers lawful, documented information to answer a specific factual question — through records research, surveillance, interviews, digital analysis, or a combination — and presents findings in a clear written report.
Is it legal to hire a private investigator?
Yes. Hiring a licensed investigator for a lawful purpose is legal in all fifty states. What matters is that the investigator you hire is properly licensed and stays within legal methods.
Can an investigation be done remotely, or does someone need to come to me?
Many investigations — records research, OSINT, background verification, and much of cyber and online dating work — can be conducted remotely. Physical surveillance, interviews, and TSCM sweeps require an investigator on location.
How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?
Cost depends on the type of case, its complexity, and how much fieldwork is required. We provide a clear written estimate during your confidential consultation rather than a generic flat rate.
What will I actually receive at the end of an investigation?
A written findings report, along with any supporting documentation such as photographs or records gathered during the engagement, prepared with legal and personal use in mind.
Talk to a Licensed Private Investigator
Every investigation starts with a confidential conversation, not a sales pitch. Redbeard’s licensed investigators will walk through what is realistic, what it takes, and what you can expect to receive — before any work begins.
What is the cost? | how does it work?
At Redbeard Intelligence & Investigations, we offer upfront, transparent pricing that reflects the specific details and complexity of each case. Instead of vague estimates or hidden charges, we provide clear, upfront pricing tailored to your investigation’s unique requirements—without unexpected fees, hidden costs, or additional unexpected expenses. Our goal is to offer efficient, high-quality investigative and intelligence solutions with transparency and peace of mind.
To begin an investigation, intelligence operation, or technical security assessment, the first step is a confidential consultation via phone or email with one of our experienced professionals. During this initial discussion, we will gather key details about your situation to determine the most effective strategy tailored to your needs. Whether you require private investigative services, intelligence gathering, or technical security solutions, our team will develop a customized plan designed to achieve your objectives. Based on the specific requirements of your case, we will then provide a transparent price quote and/or invoice for the cost of the services needed. Throughout the process, we ensure clear and consistent communication, keeping you informed of any significant developments. Upon completion, you will receive a comprehensive written report detailing our findings, along with any supporting evidence such as photos, video documentation, or technical security assessments.
Helpful Guides
Contact us through phone or email for an initial discussion and provide key details about your needs.
Based on the specific requirements of your case, you'll will receive a flat-rate price quote and invoice for the cost of the services needed.
With pricing and mutual terms accepted, payment will be collected for the predetermined costs, and you'll officially become our client.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed of any significant developments. Upon completion, you will receive a written report detailing our findings, along with any supporting evidence or documentation.
