How to Hire a Private Investigator
How Do You Actually Hire a Private Investigator?
In short: verify the investigator is properly licensed and insured, confirm they have handled cases like yours, get the scope and cost in writing before work begins, and agree up front on how findings will be reported to you. Most people hire an investigator exactly once in their life, usually during a stressful situation, which makes it easy to skip steps that would otherwise be obvious.
This guide walks through the practical decisions involved in hiring a private investigator — from deciding whether you need one at all, to the questions worth asking, to the red flags that should make you walk away.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is written for anyone about to hire a private investigator for the first time: individuals dealing with a personal or family situation, attorneys vetting investigative support for a case, and business owners weighing due diligence or an internal concern. The goal is a clear-eyed process, not a sales pitch.
What to Confirm Before You Hire
A legitimate investigator will not be offended by these questions — they expect them. Hesitation or vague answers are information in themselves.
- Active License
Ask for the license number and verify it directly with the state regulator, not just the investigator’s word.
- Insurance in Place
General liability, and ideally errors & omissions coverage, protects you if something goes wrong during the engagement.
- Relevant Experience
An investigator who has handled cases like yours will ask sharper questions and set more realistic expectations.
- Scope in Writing
What will be done, over what timeframe, and for what estimated cost — documented before work starts.
- Confidentiality Commitment
How your information and findings will be handled, and who will and will not see them.
- Realistic Promises
No guaranteed outcomes, no guaranteed evidence — only a guaranteed, lawful, documented effort.
When to Hire a Private Investigator
A private investigator makes sense when you have a specific, factual question that requires research, observation, or documentation you cannot reasonably do yourself — verifying someone’s background, documenting a pattern of behavior, locating an asset or a person, or investigating a suspected fraud or workplace issue. The common thread is a defined question with a defined method to answer it, not a general feeling that something is wrong.
When to Call Police Instead
If you are in immediate danger, believe a crime is actively occurring, or have already been the victim of a crime such as assault or stalking with an active threat, contact law enforcement first. Private investigators do not replace police, cannot make arrests, and cannot compel anyone to talk. A private investigator is often the right choice when law enforcement has limited resources for a civil matter, has already closed a case you believe deserves more attention, or when you need documentation for a civil or family court matter that police do not handle.
Verify the License
Every state that regulates private investigators maintains a way to verify an active license, and a legitimate firm will give you its license number without hesitation. In Florida, you can verify a firm’s status directly with the state’s licensing division.
Verify Insurance
Ask whether the firm carries general liability insurance, and ideally professional errors & omissions coverage. Insurance matters because investigative work sometimes involves surveillance in public places, coordination with third parties, and handling of sensitive information — an insured firm has something at stake if it makes a mistake.
Confirm Relevant Experience
Licensing confirms an investigator is legally permitted to practice; it does not confirm they have handled a case like yours. A firm that regularly works custody-related surveillance will approach your case differently than one whose experience is mostly corporate due diligence. It is reasonable to ask, in general terms, whether the firm has handled matters similar to yours — without expecting them to disclose other clients’ confidential details.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
A short, direct conversation will tell you most of what you need to know. Worth asking: What is your license number, and how long have you held it? Do you carry insurance? Have you handled cases similar to mine? Who will actually be assigned to my case? How and how often will you communicate with me? What will the final report include? What is not realistic for you to promise? A firm that answers plainly, without evasiveness, is showing you how the rest of the engagement will go.
How Investigators Charge: Retainers, Hourly Rates, and Expenses
Most investigative firms work on some combination of a retainer, hourly billing, and reimbursed expenses, with the exact structure depending on the type of case. Surveillance-heavy cases are often billed hourly against a retainer; records-based or flat-scope work such as a background check may be quoted as a fixed project. Expenses such as travel, database access, or equipment use are typically itemized separately. There is no honest industry-wide price list — be cautious of any firm that quotes a number before understanding your case, and expect a legitimate firm to explain its billing structure clearly before you commit.
Confidentiality Expectations
Before work begins, you should understand who will see your case details, how findings will be delivered to you, and what the firm will and will not disclose to third parties without your authorization. A trustworthy investigator treats your identity and your situation as confidential from the first phone call, not just after a contract is signed.
What to Expect From Reports
A professional investigation should end with a clear written report describing what was done, what was found, and, where relevant, supporting documentation such as photographs or records. Ask up front what format the report will take and whether it is written with potential legal or HR use in mind. A firm that is vague about what you will actually receive at the end is a firm you should question further.
Surveillance Expectations: What Is Realistic
Surveillance is not guaranteed to capture a specific event on a specific day — people are unpredictable, and a legitimate investigator will tell you that plainly rather than promise footage of exactly what you expect to see. What a professional surveillance effort can offer is a documented, methodical attempt over an agreed timeframe, with honest reporting of what was and was not observed.
Interstate and Multi-State Cases
If your case spans more than one state — a subject who travels, a business with multiple locations, or fieldwork needed outside your investigator’s home state — ask specifically how that will be handled. Private investigator licensing is state-regulated, so a properly run firm either holds licenses where needed or coordinates with properly licensed local investigators, rather than sending someone to conduct fieldwork where they are not legally authorized to operate.
Red Flags to Avoid
Be cautious of a firm that will not provide a license number, quotes a price before understanding your case, pressures you to sign immediately, is vague about who will actually work your case, or claims access to law-enforcement databases or methods a private citizen cannot lawfully use. These are signs of either inexperience or a firm operating outside the law — neither serves your interests.
Guarantees You Should Never Trust
No honest investigator can guarantee a specific piece of evidence, a specific outcome, or that surveillance will capture a particular moment. What a legitimate firm can guarantee is a lawful, documented, professional effort, and honest reporting of what was found — including when the answer is inconclusive or the finding is not what you hoped for.
Your Consultation Checklist
Before you hire, confirm: the firm’s license number and that it is active; proof of insurance; relevant experience with your type of case; a written scope and estimate; a clear confidentiality commitment; an explanation of how and what you will be billed; and a description of what the final report will include. If a firm cannot answer these plainly, keep looking.
Why Redbeard
Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations maintains corporate offices in Orlando and Naples. We would rather spend fifteen minutes explaining honestly what is and is not realistic for your situation than take on an engagement we cannot deliver on. For a broader look at what investigative services generally involve, see our private investigation services overview.
Talk to Us in Confidence
If you are ready to talk through your situation, contact Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations at (888) 564-8300 or email contact@redbeardpi.com for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a private investigator's license?
Ask for the license number and confirm it directly with the state’s regulating agency rather than relying on the investigator’s word alone.
Should I hire a private investigator or call the police?
If you are in immediate danger or a crime is actively occurring, call police first. A private investigator is typically the right choice for civil matters, documentation for family court, or situations where law enforcement has limited resources or jurisdiction.
How do private investigators typically charge for their work?
Most firms bill through some combination of a retainer, hourly rates, and reimbursed expenses, with the structure depending on the type of case. A legitimate firm explains its billing clearly before work begins rather than quoting a number sight unseen.
Can a private investigator guarantee they will find what I'm looking for?
No honest investigator can guarantee a specific outcome or piece of evidence. What a legitimate firm can guarantee is a lawful, documented effort and honest reporting of the results.
What should I have ready before my first consultation?
A general timeline of events, the specific question you want answered, and any relevant documents or details already in your possession. You do not need to have everything organized — the consultation is meant to help you sort it out.
Ready to Talk to a Licensed Investigator?
The right investigator answers your questions plainly, puts scope and cost in writing, and never promises an outcome. Redbeard Intelligence and Investigations is glad to walk through your situation and tell you honestly whether — and how — we can help.
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.
