When you decide to hire a private investigator, it is important to hire the right person for your needs and purpose. Most investigators will let you have a consultation with them before you decide to hire them or not, and during that consultation you should be prepared with some questions. If you are not sure where to start with your questions, consider starting with the three listed below.
1. What is Your Availability?
Some private investigators are available 24/7. Whenever you need them, they are there, ready to go. Others, on the flip side, only work during certain hours. Depending on the nature of the situation you want investigated, you will want to make sure you hire an investigator who can observe whatever you need observed when it is actually happening.
2. How do You Charge?
In the same way that investigators vary in their availability, they also vary not just in their prices, but in the ways they charge their clients. Some investigators charge by the hour, while others will charge a flat fee for working for a certain period of time. Additionally, you might be asked to cover additional expenses related to your case like gas, food, and equipment.
3. Will You Personally be Handling My Case?
If the investigator you are considering hiring is part of a larger agency, he or she might not personally be handling your case, whether you consult with them at the beginning or not. Certain elements of your case, if not the entire thing, could be delegated to a different investigator. Make sure you learn about the credentials and style of the person who will be handling your case, not just the head of the agency.
4. In What Form Do You Deliver Your Report?
It is important to know how you will be receiving the information you are looking for. Does the investigator provide videos, photographs, voice recordings? Learn about their methods of investigation and how they present their findings to you so that you end up with material that you can actually use as you work towards your end goal.
Regardless of your reason for hiring a private investigator, it is vital that you find the perfect one for your needs. When you first meet for a consultation, ask your potential private investigator the four questions listed above, along with any others that are important to you, and find one whose answers best match your situation.
For more information, contact Northern Defence & Security PI or a similar organization.
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