12 Questions to Ask a Private Investigator Before You Start
What should you ask a private investigator before hiring? 12 questions about the license, experience, price, surveillance, discretion, reports and results — and why each matters.
In short
Before hiring a private investigator, ask whether their license is valid, what experience they have with similar cases and exactly what the price includes. Then clarify who will do the work, how the investigation will run, how information is stored and what you'll receive at the end. If an investigator dodges basic questions or promises a result — pause and consider another option.
- Is the investigator's license valid?
- Do they have experience with similar cases?
- What exactly does the price include?
What should you ask a private investigator before starting?
The first conversation with a private investigator is not just a chance to get a price. It's how you judge whether this is the right person to handle sensitive information and your case.
1. Is your investigator license valid?
Ask for the full name and check it: Ministry of Justice private investigators registry (Hebrew)
2. How much experience do you have with cases like mine?
Don't settle for years of experience. Check experience in the specific field.
3. Who will actually carry out the investigation?
Find out who manages the case, who goes into the field and how many investigators are involved.
4. What do you need from me?
A professional investigator knows how to collect relevant information and separate it from noise.
If unusually sensitive information is requested, ask why it's needed.
5. What is the initial work plan?
Ask what the first step is, whether surveillance starts immediately, the estimated timeline and when you decide whether to expand.
6. How many investigators are really needed?
Ask why a certain number is proposed — it directly affects the price.
7. What will it cost and what's included?
Clarify:
- Rate
- Minimum hours
- Number of investigators
- Travel
- Expenses
- Report and documentation
- VAT
8. When could extra expenses arise?
Ask for examples in advance.
9. How will I get updates?
Clarify who your contact is, through which channel and when updates arrive.
10. How is discretion maintained?
Ask who sees the information, how the case file is stored and how files are transferred.
11. What will I receive at the end?
Define in advance whether you'll get a report, photos, video, a timeline or a summary.
12. What can't you promise?
A professional investigator should explain the limits of the work — including the fact that no result can be promised in advance.
Extra questions if the material is intended for court
- Do you have experience working alongside lawyers?
- How is the investigation process documented?
- Should the investigation's goal be coordinated with my lawyer in advance?
Extra questions before surveillance
- What's the minimum number of hours?
- How many investigators?
- What happens if there's no activity?
- How are findings documented?
What NOT to ask for
Do not ask an investigator to:
- Obtain any information by any means
- Break into a phone or account
- Guarantee a result
- Act against the law
How to compare two offers
Compare:
- Relevant experience
- Number of investigators
- Hours
- Expenses
- Deliverables
- Communication style
- Legality and discretion
Last updated: August 2026.
Checklist
- Is the investigator's license valid?
- Do they have experience with similar cases?
- What exactly does the price include?
- Who will actually carry out the investigation?
- What is the initial work plan?
- How many investigators are needed, and why?
- Is there a minimum number of hours?
- When can extra expenses arise?
- How will I receive updates?
- How is the information stored?
- What will I receive at the end?
- What can the investigator not promise?
Frequently asked questions
What's the first question to ask a private investigator?
Whether they hold a valid license. You can verify it in the Ministry of Justice registry.
Is it OK to ask about past cases?
You can ask about experience with your type of case, but don't expect identifying details about past clients.
What should a price include?
Rate, number of investigators, minimum hours, travel, expenses, documentation, a report and VAT.
Can an investigator promise a result?
No. They can commit to professional work, but can't know in advance what the investigation will reveal.
Do I need a written agreement?
It's strongly recommended that the terms, price and scope of the service be clear and documented.
How many investigators does surveillance need?
It depends on the location and complexity. Ask for an explanation whenever a team of more than one investigator is proposed.