Step One: Consultation

For a case to go smoothly, you need to hire the right Private Investigator for your case. We have found the key to doing this successfully is asking the right questions. Fortunately, most Private Investigation agencies offer a free consultation. This gives both parties the opportunity to ask questions and see if it is a fit. A good Private Investigator will ask questions prior to the retainer, so they can ensure that they are able to successfully work the case.

When you go to hire a Private Investigator, here are some key things to look for:

• What do they specialize in? Most Private Investigation Agencies will have a few select services they excel at. At Katella, we specialize in Legal Investigations (like criminal defense), corporate investigations, and complex general investigations (like missing children or stolen assets). You will want your investigator’s skillset to align with your needs- for example an investigator that specializes in infidelity investigations would not be the best fit for a white collar crime investigation.

• What do their testimonials say? In the Private Investigation industry, reputation is key. What are clients saying about the agency? Do their core values align with yours? You will want an investigator who is able to quickly understand your needs and meet them with solutions.

• What does Google say? Put it to the test by checking third-party sources for negative reviews. If an agency has no reviews or many negative reviews listed on any platform (Bark, Google, Facebook, BBB) that is a significant red flag.

• Do you like them? You would think it goes without saying, but in professional relationships it is too often overlooked. You will want to work with an investigator you like. Truth is, investigations can be a pretty difficult process. Things don’t always go to plan, we cover personal topics, and we have tactics you’ve never heard of before. During that process you will want someone you are able to communicate with without causing you undue stress. Trust us, this matters.

Step Two: Retainer

After you have selected the right investigator for you, the next step will be to get them on retainer. Similar to an attorney, most investigation agencies work on retainer. A retainer is a deposit that clients pay prior to starting the contract for the services. The amount is the estimated cost to perform all the duties necessary to complete the case. For example, our case minimum is 4 hours at $125/hour, or $500 total. If we quote a client $500, we believe that it will take those 4 hours for us to complete all the duties necessary to complete the case.

Here are some things to know before signing a retainer:

1. The agency should provide you with a Retainer Agreement, or some sort of working agreement that outlines the terms and conditions.

2. Retainer Agreements should contain a clause addressing what happens if the case does not go to plan. Expectations should be clear from the beginning, and outlined in the retainer agreement.

3. The cheapest investigator is often not the best investigator. Remember, PI’s also charge by the hour. A highly skilled investigator may charge a higher hourly rate, but often has the tactics to be more effective on the job.

4. How an agency handles the retainer process will give you a strong indication of how working with them will be. Review the contract and ask questions of any parts you aren’t sure about.

Step Three: The Investigation

Once the retainer is complete, the investigation begins. Your investigator should give you an overview of what their plan is, and then provide a time for the next check in. Communication is a key aspect of the investigation process. The client should be provided with regular updates on the progress via phone, text, or email.

Here are some important things to keep in mind during the investigation:

• No Private Investigator can guarantee an outcome. You are paying for the investigator’s time, advice, and effort.

• We aren’t psychics. We use data to determine the best time to conduct a stake out, but truth is, we don’t know when a cheating spouse will be making a rendezvous. If we did, we wouldn’t be spending 8+ hours in a hot surveillance vehicle.

• How you act during an investigation really matters. If you are interfering with the investigation it can result in dangerous scenarios for our investigators. On the other hand, if you are providing helpful information to the investigators- you are helping us gain understanding on the case. It helps us do our job well when our clients are respectful of the professional boundaries outlined in the Retainer Agreement.

At the end of the investigation, the investigator will provide you with a final report. Typically, this report contains no surprises- as you have already been updated by the investigator with key details.