How to find a Private Investigator
There are many reasons why someone might need to use private investigator services. It is not always to catch a cheating and unfaithful partner. Private investigators are still not regulated in the UK, and therefore there is no law that states how they should conduct business or which bodies they have to register with. You have to know that you can trust an investigator if you are going to allow them access to your lives or business.
This is why it is vitally important that you know that they will behave in a professional manner and handle sensitive information discreetly. In this blog, we’ll uncover key factors to consider when looking for a private investigator to hire in the UK, to ensure you access the legal, compliant, and discreet private investigators.
1. Look At The Website First
In this day and age, it’s simple and straightforward to have a website created to look professional at first glance. But it's important to look at their site in more detail. Look to see what services they offer and whether that matches the service that you require.
If a company has staff that are experienced in dealing with cases similar to yours, then they will most likely advertise that service on their site. Be wary of sites that promise results but do not show evidence of their expertise.
Here are some questions to consider when browsing a private investigators website:
Does the site appear generic or full of rhetoric?
If the language feels vague, salesy, or filled with buzzwords that lack substance, that’s a red flag. Credible investigators – like our private investigators in Birmingham and beyond - should speak clearly and confidently about what they do.
Are there any articles or blogs which show a depth of knowledge in investigation?
Thoughtful blog content or articles suggest that the team has real experience and insights. Look for topics that demonstrate how they approach investigations and solve problems.
Can you see any affiliations with awarding or monitoring bodies such as UKPIN (United Kingdom Professional Investigations Network) or WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators)?
Accreditations and memberships with recognised industry bodies show that the investigator is operating with professional, ethical, and legal standards.
Is the site updated with new content on a regular basis?
A website that is actively maintained indicates the company is currently trading and involved in ongoing investigative work. It also suggests they care about keeping clients informed.
Are there links to social media pages?
While not essential, active and transparent social media accounts can help verify that the company is legitimate and provide further insight into how they operate day-to-day.
Can you see evidence that it is a limited company?
Check for a registered business name or company number, usually in the website footer or contact page. This can give you an added layer of trust that you’re dealing with a properly established business.
Leading | Established | Award Winning
2. Check The Company Reviews Thoroughly
Established companies will have reviews on a range of sites:
- Trustpilot
- Bark
- Yell
- And more
When a company sets itself up on a review platform, it shows that they are not afraid to be assessed and that unhappy customers have a way of leaving negative reviews. If the company, you are looking at is of a sub-standard or unprofessional then you will see feedback confirming that.
Sometimes, a quick Google search will unearth any negative reviews left somewhere out there in the public domain. The negative reviews might not always be obvious, but a quick search will usually find them, especially if the company has a bad track record and reputation. Find out if the reviews mention the name of the person that they dealt with? Fake reviews will often simply look generic and not mention details.
Dedicated | Diligent | Discreet
3. Speak To An Investigator On The Phone
One of the first things to do when trying to find a private investigator would be to give them a call and ask for a bit of background information. Every reputable company should be able to give you a brief insight into who they are on a professional level and will be totally fine in doing so.
Some valuable questions to ask include:
- Are they from a surveillance background?
- Were they police officers or did they work for the government?
- Were they in the military?
- Have they worked in surveillance before starting their company?
- What training have they had and with who?
- Any surveillance-based qualifications?
- Who are they affiliated with?
- Are they insured and ICO compliant?
- Do they have Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Local | National | International
4. Ask To See A Sample Of Their Work
Do they have sample reports you can view? If it is a people trace or background check, ask to see a sample report. Any company can prepare a report with dummy information so there should be no reason to claim "confidentiality" as being a reason that you cannot see a sample. How is the quality of their work? Does it contain the level of evidence that you require? Is the evidence legally binding?
Take a good look at their social media pages also. Often you will see many examples of their work on such pages. This also shows an element of transparency with regards to what they do and the quality of their work.
Some companies would argue that they don’t want to have such pages and want to remain discreet. If there is no sign of anything relating to the company outside of their well designed website you should be asking why? In this day and age, it’s so very easy to advertise your business online while remaining discreet and not giving away any trade secrets or classified information.
Leading | Established | Award Winning
5. Price And Initial Consultation
Once you have had a good chat and feel happy with the company you are talking to, the next issue will be price.
If they’re very cheap:
Most reputable companies follow an industry standard as mentioned. The quotes from all companies you ask should all be of a similar price bracket.
Please avoid any ridiculously cheap quotes. If a company is professional and established, with a good reputation they will not charge peanuts to carry out a “proper” investigation. They will charge industry-standard rates which might seem a little expensive at first.
However, the charges reflect the service you are paying for. If for example you are being quoted a very low figure for a tracker and a few days surveillance, what are you getting for that? Probably not an awful lot.
The tracker will likely be a cheap version, which will lack the accuracy, long life and robustness required. Images need to be captured on professional cameras rather than smartphones. Be very wary of this, companies charging low budget rates are usually doing so because they are desperate for work!
If they're very expensive:
If you are being quoted many thousands of pounds more than the other quotes you have had, ask why? If they are following industry-standard rates, then why are they so much more expensive? Find out exactly what they intend to do with your money!
Asking for a monetised quote is perfectly acceptable. An experienced investigator will know how to cost a job and will not have a problem giving you details. They will now put a plan of action in place for you, likely followed up with terms and conditions and an invoice to get the ball rolling with the objective of giving you the answers and clarification you need.
Take the Next Step – Speak to Anderson & Co Today
When it comes to choosing the best UK private investigator for you, who you trust matters. Here at Anderson & Co, we bring discretion, professionalism, and years of real-world experience to every case to take on. Whether you’re looking for clarity in a personal matter or reassurance in a complex situation, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.
We deliver clear answers, backed by a proven track record and a commitment to ethical, legal investigation. From first enquiry to final report, we treat every client with the respect, care, and confidentiality they deserve.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re ready to listen.
Get in touch with our private investigators in Birmingham today to get the answers you deserve.
