| Don't hire a private detective without first reading | | | | satisfactory results. |
| this top 4 checklist. Hiring an investigator can be | | | | For example, an investigator may recommend |
| full of potential pitfalls. Make sure that you don't | | | | that on a particular operation, the person that you |
| fall foul of the most common ones. Follow the | | | | wish to put under surveillance would ideally |
| advice in this guide and your first experience of | | | | require a team of 3 detectives traveling in 2 |
| hiring a private investigator should be trouble free. | | | | separate vehicles in order to most effectively |
| Check #1. Does the Private Investigator have a | | | | keep track of the target's movements. However |
| professional looking website? Is it well structured | | | | budget restrictions may mean that this level of |
| and informative? Chances are, if they can't even | | | | surveillance is totally out of the question in your |
| get this right then the service provided probably | | | | case. An accommodating firm will still be quite |
| won't be up to much either. If a detective agency | | | | happy to carry out the surveillance operation |
| is not prepared to put the effort into presenting | | | | using a cut down team, with perhaps only a single |
| themselves well on the internet, do you really | | | | vehicle and detective in pursuit. |
| think it's likely that they will put the necessary | | | | Clients budgets vary greatly, and any good |
| effort into your case? Probably not. | | | | private detective will be well versed in how to cut |
| Have a general browse of their site and do a | | | | costs for the client while still being able to carry |
| quick assessment of the information provided and | | | | out an effective investigation. |
| the quality of the presentation. Take a look at the | | | | Check #4. Is the Private Detective qualified to |
| firms contact information and give them a quick | | | | undertake the investigation? Try to determine |
| call. No answer? Walk away! Can you imagine | | | | whether or not the individual, or individuals who will |
| needing to contact the detective urgently in the | | | | be handling your case have the necessary skills |
| middle of an investigation only to have the phone | | | | and experience to do an effective job. There is |
| ring endlessly? You will find that the best private | | | | no point in having unqualified personnel handling a |
| investigators generally offer a 24 hour help line. | | | | case on your behalf, no matter how cheaply they |
| Check #2. Does the Private Investigator offer | | | | offer to undertake the assignment. Do not part |
| a FREE consultation? Beware of any firms that | | | | with your hard earned cash until you are |
| don't. If the company has confidence in their | | | | absolutely sure that they are up to the task in |
| abilities then they will know that the vast majority | | | | hand. |
| of clients will be sufficiently impressed to use their | | | | Ask questions to establish the backgrounds of the |
| services after the initial consultation, and will have | | | | individual detectives who will be handling your case. |
| no need to charge for it. | | | | Most top private investigators come from police, |
| A good private investigator will be skilled at | | | | military or close protection backgrounds. Ask for |
| putting you at ease during this initial meeting, and | | | | proof! |
| will generally be quite prepared to meet you at | | | | And finally it of course goes without saying that |
| any location of your choice. | | | | you should always, always check that you are not |
| Check #3. Decide on your Budget. This is | | | | being overcharged for a particular service. Check |
| absolutely essential so that you may ascertain | | | | what other private investigators are charging in |
| whether or not the Investigator is both willing and | | | | order to establish the going rate, and don't be |
| able to undertake the case effectively with the | | | | afraid to negotiate if you think their rates are too |
| funds that you have available. Within reason, it | | | | high. |
| should be possible to tailor most investigations to | | | | Good luck! |
| suit a fairly wide range budgets while still giving | | | | |