There are three considerations when hiring a private investigator: Flexibility, Focus, and Funding.

The final result should reflect these “A’s”: Adaptability, Accomplishment, and Affordability (and a successful relationship with your private investigator).

Let’s take a short look at each one and see how we turn those “F’s” to “A’s”.

Once you identify potential private investigators, there are questions you should ask. You need to know how flexible they are. Are they able to handle your type of case? Not every investigator handles all case types and it’s rare that investigators can handle a lot of different types of cases. Does he take the time to find out specific details about your problem before giving you a quote? Has he conducted similar investigations previously? For example, not all private investigators have the ability to conduct quality surveillance without being seen. Moreover, not all private investigators have experience in interviewing people and getting answers. Many investigators can’t get out of tried and traditional molds and may not have the ability to try new things. For example, if a private investigator has dedicated his investigative career to drug-related cases, it is probably unreasonable to expect him to adapt to an environment where finesse and the ability to carry on a conversation is of prime importance. He has to be able to adjust to situations, and this adaptability is going to be a key factor in successfully resolving your case.

Is the private investigator able to focus on your problem? Does he have the breadth of experience to know what it’s going to take to get you results? Does he have the time to work on your case while still working on his other commitments? On the other hand, is the agency so small that the investigator doesn’t have anything else to do, implying that the investigator is doing this work part-time? Does the agency have the resources or equipment to help you? What kind of photographic equipment does it have? Does it own more than a simple digital camera or VHS recorder? Does it have specialized low-light equipment? When the agency gives you a quote, is it based on a “gut feeling” or is there sufficient experience in matters like yours to be able to authoritatively express how to reach success? Is the agency willing to explain what kind of cases have been handled in the past and how those cases can help design an approach to your case? While many investigations are similar in nature, each case has its own unique properties and the investigator should have the ability and resources to accomplish your goals.

The last area and one which is always of critical importance to the client is the topic of cost, or funding. Everyone has his or her own comfort zone and every situation is different. An investigator should meet with a potential client and try to get as much detail as possible to provide an estimate of what the work is going to cost. The estimate should consider that there are many variables that come into play which can’t be anticipated in advance. Be careful of an investigator who gives you a firm quote before starting on a project. He’s already increased the price enough to cover any possible contingency; therefore, you are paying too much. On the other hand, be aware of “low ball” estimates where the investigator charges just enough for a teaser and then requires additional funding to proceed to the next step. There is no way to give general guidance on what a particular investigation will cost without having details of the case, as many factors come into play. One major point: DO NOT shop for the cheapest investigator you can find, as this may cost you more in the long run because of a shoddy job. Higher prices may equate to better service. Finding an affordable private investigator does not necessarily mean finding a cheaper private investigator. In the end, you have to decide if the investigation is affordable to you personally and if it will achieve your goals.