Most people who hire a private investigator have a specific need, or at least an idea in mind of what answers they hope to find. After all, a private investigator isn’t a police officer or an attorney. A PI’s purpose is to find the truth and relay that evidence to their client. But is it always worth it to hire a private investigator? Not necessarily, but it really depends on your motive. Here are factors to consider before taking the plunge.
Motive or Situation
Private investigators offer a wide range of services, but not all situations require or even benefit from professional involvement. Some common situations for hiring a private investigator include:
- Business and personal background checks
- Collecting evidence for court cases or claims
- Finding assets and property
- Locating missing persons
- Surveillance
Experience Level
Not all private investigators are equal. Many PIs boast about their abilities but can’t seem to back up their claims. The right private investigator or investigation team will have years or decades of experience. They’ll be able to prove their expertise for your specific case needs. They’ll have testimonials or reviews on hand, as well as client contacts for verification. And they’ll have the licenses and insurance needed to cover any incidentals on the job. Cutting any of those corners can be an expensive mistake for the client.
Discretion and Confidentiality PracticesAny professional private investigator must practice discretion and offer their clients’ confidentiality where and when needed. That means personal details about the case, specific court details, personal information, and other details that might endanger the client must remain completely confidential. That doesn’t mean new clients can’t contact existing or previous customers for reviews or common practices regarding similar cases. But specific information and personal details of those cases are between the PI and their clients unless otherwise shared by the clients themselves.
Cost Factor
The saying “you get what you pay for” is especially true with hiring a private investigator. That’s not to say the pros will always price gauge or refuse to offer special deals. But it really depends on several factors, including whether the client is new or a repeat customer, the type of investigation needed, and if any extra incidentals are required during the investigation, such as travel, interviews, or potentially dangerous surveillance.
An inexperienced or shady PI may offer a great price for your needs but cut so many corners and take so long to complete the job that you end up with extra headaches or even face dangers. They may also make unreasonable promises that no private investigator can actually deliver. A PI’s duties and expertise involve finding evidence and presenting the truth to their clients. A good PI will have access to special databases and know how to cut red tape to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and legally.
The overall cost reflects the experience and results that a qualified PI brings to the table. But that PI will also discuss potential cost points upfront with their clients. Contact us when you’re ready to hire a private investigator. We’ll show you how easy it is to get the info you deserve right off the bat.
