How hiring works
How hiring a private detective works
Hiring a detective should feel careful, not mysterious. Here is exactly what happens, what drives the cost, and how you stay in control from the first call to the final report.
Step by step
Five stages, no surprises.
You approve the plan and the cost before anything happens, and you decide how and when we contact you.
- 01
Talk it through
A confidential call or text. You can stay anonymous at this stage. We ask what you need to know and tell you honestly whether we can help.
- 02
Get a written plan
What we will do, when, with how many detectives, what you will receive, and what it costs.
- 03
Sign and fund
A written agreement and a retainer that covers the approved plan. You choose safe contact channels.
- 04
Field work
Surveillance, records and interviews carried out lawfully, with updates on your schedule.
- 05
Report and next steps
Your report and evidence, a debrief call, and a straight recommendation on what comes next.
What drives the cost of a private detective
No honest agency can quote a price for an investigation before understanding it, and you should be wary of any flat “package” that promises results. Cost comes from a handful of things you can see and control:
- Hours in the field. Surveillance is time-based. Watching the right four hours beats watching the wrong forty.
- Number of detectives. Following a moving vehicle through Nashville traffic often takes two, to avoid being noticed.
- Records and research. Locates and background work are usually defined jobs with a clear scope.
- Travel and mileage. Cases that leave Middle Tennessee cost more than cases that don’t.
- Reporting and testimony. Court preparation and testimony are billed separately when needed.
How to keep the cost down
The single biggest saving is information. The more you can tell us about schedules, vehicles, addresses and the days you are most concerned about, the fewer hours we spend finding the subject and the more we spend watching what matters. Bring photos, plate numbers, workplace details and any calendars or patterns you have noticed.
The second saving is honesty, ours. If the first round of work shows nothing is happening, or that continuing is unlikely to change the picture, we will tell you so before you spend more.
What you will need to provide
- Your identity and a signed agreement (any licensed agency must have them)
- A recent photo of the subject, and their vehicle details if known
- Addresses: home, work and places they frequent
- The dates and times that matter most
- A safe phone number and email for updates
- Your attorney’s contact information, if you have one
Private investigation in Tennessee is regulated under the Private Investigators Licensing and Regulatory Act (Tenn. Code Ann. Title 62, Chapter 26). Unlicensed “investigators” can put your case and your money at risk.
What you get at the end
A written report in plain English, organized time-stamped photos and video where surveillance was involved, an accounting of hours, and a call to walk through it. If the matter goes to court, the detective who did the work is available to testify.
Hiring questions
Before you hire anyone, ask these.
Do you charge for the first conversation?
The first conversation is where we find out whether we can help, so it is about your situation, not a sales pitch. You will know the cost of any work, in writing, before it starts.
What is a retainer?
A retainer is an advance payment that funds the approved plan. Work is billed against it, and you receive an accounting of hours and expenses. The plan defines what the retainer covers, so there are no surprises.
What drives the cost of surveillance?
Mainly the number of hours in the field and the number of detectives needed. Mileage, travel outside the area and specialized equipment or records can add to it. Tight planning around the right days is the biggest cost saver, which is why we spend time on it up front.
How do I keep my investigation private?
Tell us which phone number and email are safe. We can use a code name for your case, avoid leaving voicemails, and send reports only to the channel you choose. If you think your devices are monitored, contact us from a device the other person cannot access.
Can my attorney hire you directly?
Yes, and in litigation that is often best. When we work at an attorney’s direction, the attorney can shape the investigation around the legal issues, and our work may be protected as part of the attorney’s case preparation. Ask your attorney about how that applies to you.
How do I verify that a detective agency is licensed?
Tennessee private investigators and investigation companies are licensed through the Department of Commerce & Insurance, and licenses can be checked on the state’s public license verification system. Ask any agency for its license information before you hire it; a legitimate one will give it to you.
Questions are free to ask.
Call or text a detective about your situation. You will get an honest answer about whether we can help.