Not all private investigation agencies in Toronto and the GTA are reputable and choosing the right private investigator can have a huge impact on your case and overall reputation. Selecting a competent, knowledgeable and most importantly experienced private investigation agency is crucial. If you were to proceed with a shady agency the damage and liability this can cause you can come at a very high price. Below are the considerations that you must take into account.
Does the Private Investigator Have A License and are they with an approved Private Investigation Agency?
Private investigators in Ontario must be licensed. However, individuals who are licensed private investigators can not sell investigation services on their own. They must be associated with, and part of a licensed private investigation agency in order to do so. There is nothing wrong with verifying licenses before hiring a private investigation agency. Request that they present you with the agency licence which should be visible to you when meeting with them in their agency office. You can also check to see if the agency is actually legit by checking the MCSCS online at ServiceOntario.
Do They Act Professionally?
You can tell a lot about an agency starting with the initial contact. You can tell how organized they are by the way they respond to inquiries, how they answer your questions in relation to experience. For example, do they have the necessary experience when it comes to specialized investigations such as Fraud? Ensure they have the know-how and can provide specific details of their knowledge and experience. Make sure they can back up any and all statements they are providing, such as claiming years of experience and years in business among others.
Check if What You Need is Listed in Their Private Investigation Services
Services can include any or all of the following:
- Asset searches
- Background checks
- Cheating spouse investigations
- Child custody investigations
- Domestic dispute investigations
- Employee fraud investigations
- Find missing persons
- Intellectual property investigations
- Insurance investigations
- Skip tracing
- Surveillance services
- WSIB / Workplace investigations
Are They Transparent About Their Fees?
A true professional private investigator should be able to provide an estimate for the services that you need based on the situation and circumstances you share. Additionally, you can ask if they have a retainer fee, if they charge per hour, if any deposit is needed, if there is a contract for the services, if an itemized bill can be supplied to you, if they have policies concerning billing and payment, are they bonded and insured accordingly and many more.
Cost of Private Investigation Services
The cost of hiring a private investigator can vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Some may charge an hourly fee and some may have a flat rate. Some may require a deposit or a retainer fee. All these fees can be justified by experience level, the extent of work or services needed, the type of information you are requesting, the amount and length of time that will be used for the investigation, the urgency of the case, and if the private investigator will need to hire other professionals to procure what you need. Always get it in writing, NEVER hire anyone with just a verbal agreement.
Are They Open for A Consultation?
After you are sure that they have the necessary license and services, schedule a consultation or a meeting before hiring. During the consultation, you can ask additional questions such as work experience, years in business, charities they support and more.
Are you ready to start the process of hiring a private investigator? Contact us at Haywood Hunt & Associates if you are looking for private investigation services in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and the entire Greater Toronto Area.
