What questions should I ask a private investigator to identify a good one?

1.) What is their license number and the state issuing it? How long have they been licensed? Call the state bureau overseeing private investigators to confirm the license is valid and that no disciplinary actions are on record.

2.) Do they have an office you can visit? Having an office doesn’t make you a good PI, but it provides confidence if the case goes sideways.

3.) Do they have references and testimonials they can share with you? Are both on their website?

4.) Do they have experience in the genre you want to investigate? Is this subject matter listed on their website?

5.) Never meet an investigator in a “gin mill.”

6.) Stay entirely away from those investigators who will only take cash.

7.) What is their fee structure, and how do they bill for services? Are they hourly, on a retainer, or flat rate?

8.) Beware when your intuition bristols when they are vague about credentials, overpromises results, refuses to be specific about fees, and won’t promise a detailed report at the end of the case.

9.) Be crystal clear about asking the three main questions: what is the investigative plan, how long it will take, and what will be the cost?

10.) How do their Google reviews stack up against the competition?