How do you vet a private investigator before hiring one?
Check three things first: a current Florida license, a clear written scope of work, and a defined way you will receive results. Then ask the seven questions below. It takes about ten minutes and filters out most bad fits.
1. Is the investigator licensed?
In Florida, private investigators and agencies are licensed by the state’s Division of Licensing. You can look up an individual or an agency yourself on the state’s free search pages:
Match the name on the license to the name on the contract. Ask for the agency license number up front. A real firm will give it without hesitation.
2. What exactly will they do?
Ask for the scope in writing: what the investigator will look into, where, for how long, and what is out of scope. Vague promises like “we’ll find everything” are a warning sign.
3. How will they document their work?
Good documentation is dated and specific. Ask what a typical deliverable looks like: a written report with times and locations, labeled photos or video, and notes on who did what. Ask whether you get raw files as well as a summary.
4. How often will you hear from them?
Agree on updates before work starts. Daily summary, end-of-shift note, or a single final report all work. The point is to know which one you are getting.
5. How are fees structured?
Ask whether billing is hourly, flat or by retainer, what expenses are extra (mileage, records fees, travel), and what happens if the work ends early. Get it in the agreement. Our current rates are on the rates page, and our guide How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Investigator explains what drives cost.
6. How do they handle confidentiality?
Ask who sees your information, how files are stored and what happens to them when the job closes. See Is Hiring a Private Investigator in Orlando Confidential?.
7. How do they conduct themselves in the field?
A professional investigator works from public places, stays discreet and does not ask you to do anything questionable. If someone offers to get you phone records, someone’s private accounts or “anything for the right price,” walk away.
What are the red flags?
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No license number, or one that does not match the name
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Guaranteed results
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Pressure to pay a large amount in cash today
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No written agreement
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Refusal to explain how they work
What happens after you hire?
Expect an intake call, a signed agreement, a plan for the work, field work or research, regular updates, and a final report. Our guide on when to hire a PI covers the first steps, and you can see our surveillance and bank and asset investigation services. To talk through your situation confidentially, contact us.
FAQ
How long does it take to verify a PI license? A few minutes using the state search pages above.
Should I hire the cheapest investigator? Price matters, but scope, license and documentation matter more. Compare what each quote includes.
Can an investigator guarantee a result? No. A professional promises careful, lawful work and clear documentation, not an outcome.
Do I get a written report? You should. Ask to see a sample format before you sign.
Sources
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, license search: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigation-Licenses/Search-for-a-Licensee
Image: AI-generated conceptual illustration.
