Private Investigator FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Hiring a private investigator is a significant decision, and it’s natural to have questions. At Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye, we believe in transparency and helping potential clients understand exactly what to expect from professional investigative services.

This comprehensive FAQ answers the most common questions about hiring a private investigator in Colorado, from costs and legality to confidentiality and results.

General Questions

What does a private investigator do?

Private investigators gather information and evidence for individuals, businesses, and attorneys. Common services include:

Surveillance investigations – Monitoring and documenting activities
Background checks – Verifying credentials and history
Digital forensics – Analyzing computers and mobile devices
Infidelity investigations – Documenting suspected cheating
Corporate investigations – Employee misconduct, fraud
Skip tracing – Locating missing persons
Process service – Delivering legal documents

Learn more about what private investigators can legally do in Colorado.

Is hiring a private investigator legal?

Yes, absolutely. Hiring a licensed private investigator in Colorado is completely legal. Professional investigators operate within all state and federal laws. However, the investigator must be properly licensed by the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

Always verify your investigator holds a valid Colorado PI license before hiring them.

Are private investigators licensed in Colorado?

Yes, licensing is required. Colorado law requires all private investigators to be licensed by the state. To obtain a license, investigators must:

Meet education and experience requirements
Pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam
Pass background checks
Maintain liability insurance
Register with the Attorney General’s office

You can verify an investigator’s license through the Colorado licensing database. At Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye, all our investigators are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.

When should I hire a private investigator?

Consider hiring a PI when:

You suspect infidelity or cheating
You need evidence for divorce or custody proceedings
You require background checks on employees, tenants, or partners
You suspect insurance fraud or false claims
You need to locate a missing person
You’re involved in civil litigation requiring evidence
You suspect employee theft or corporate fraud
Police cannot or will not investigate your matter

See our guide on when to hire a PI versus calling police.

Cost and Payment Questions

How much does a private investigator cost in Colorado?

Private investigator costs in Colorado typically range from:

Hourly rates: $100-$150 per hour on average
Retainers: $2,500-$5,000 for most cases
Background checks: $75-$500 depending on depth
Process service: $75-$150 per serve
Surveillance investigations: $2,000-$10,000+ depending on duration

Costs vary based on case complexity, investigator experience, and services required. Get detailed pricing information in our complete cost guide.

Do you require a retainer?

Yes, typically. Most private investigators require an upfront retainer deposit before beginning work. This retainer is placed in a trust account and drawn against as billable hours accumulate. Typical retainers range from $1,500 to $5,000, though amounts vary based on the expected scope of work.

Any unused portion of the retainer is refunded when the case concludes.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
Cash
Personal or business checks
Wire transfers for large retainers

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment arrangements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. While we typically require retainers upfront, we understand that investigative services represent a significant investment. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and potential payment options.

Are there additional costs beyond hourly rates?

Yes, investigations may incur additional expenses including:

Travel costs: Mileage, parking, tolls
Database searches: Public records and specialized databases
Equipment: GPS trackers or specialized tools if needed
Court fees: If process service or legal filings required

We discuss all anticipated expenses upfront during your consultation and provide detailed invoicing showing exactly how funds were spent.

Confidentiality and Privacy Questions

Is everything I tell you confidential?

Yes, absolutely. Client confidentiality is a cornerstone of professional private investigation. Everything you discuss with us is kept strictly confidential. We maintain secure records, use encrypted communications when appropriate, and never disclose client information without permission.

The only exception would be if we learn of imminent danger to someone or are legally compelled by court order to disclose information.

Will anyone know I hired a private investigator?

No, unless you choose to disclose it. We conduct discreet investigations designed to protect your privacy. We use unmarked vehicles, blend into surroundings during surveillance, and maintain confidentiality in all communications.

The subject of an investigation typically won’t know they’re being investigated unless you decide to reveal evidence we gather.

How do you protect my privacy and information?

We protect client privacy through:

Secure, encrypted storage of case files
Confidential communications (encrypted email, secure phone lines)
Unmarked vehicles and discreet operations
Professional discretion in all interactions
Strict internal privacy policies
No public disclosure of client relationships

Investigation Process Questions

How long does an investigation take?

Investigation timelines vary significantly based on the type of case:

Background checks: 3-5 business days
Process service: Same day to 1 week
Basic skip tracing: 1-2 weeks
Surveillance investigations: Days to several weeks
Digital forensics: 1-3 weeks depending on complexity
Complex corporate investigations: Several weeks to months

During your initial consultation, we’ll provide a realistic timeline estimate for your specific case.

Can you guarantee results?

No ethical investigator can guarantee specific results. We can guarantee professional effort, legal methods, and thorough investigation—but we cannot guarantee we’ll find what you hope to find.

For example, in an infidelity investigation, we can guarantee thorough surveillance, but we cannot guarantee we’ll capture evidence of cheating because that depends on whether the subject actually engages in such behavior during our investigation period.

Warning: If an investigator guarantees specific results, this is a red flag indicating they may be willing to fabricate evidence or use illegal methods.

How will you keep me updated on progress?

We maintain regular communication throughout your investigation:

Initial consultation to establish objectives
Regular updates (frequency agreed upon at start)
Immediate notification of significant findings
Interim reports for extended investigations
Final comprehensive report with all findings
Phone or email access to discuss progress

You’re never left wondering what’s happening with your case.

What kind of evidence will I receive?

Depending on your case type, evidence may include:

Surveillance reports: Detailed logs of observations
Photo documentation: Time-stamped photographs
Video footage: High-definition video evidence
Background reports: Comprehensive written findings
Digital evidence: Recovered files, emails, messages
Witness statements: Recorded or written statements
Public records: Relevant documents and filings

All evidence is documented professionally and formatted for court admissibility if needed.

Will your evidence hold up in court?

Yes. We gather evidence using legal methods and document everything according to proper chain of custody protocols. Our investigators have law enforcement backgrounds and understand evidentiary standards.

We provide:

Professional written reports
Properly authenticated evidence
Clear chain of custody documentation
Expert testimony if required
Evidence formatted for legal proceedings

Do you testify in court?

Yes, when necessary. Our investigators can provide expert testimony about:

Surveillance findings and methodology
Digital forensics analysis
Background investigation results
Process service confirmation

Expert testimony is billed separately from investigation work, typically at $200-$300 per hour including preparation time and court appearances.

Specific Service Questions

Can you help with suspected cheating or infidelity?

Yes. Infidelity investigations are one of our most common services. We conduct discreet surveillance to document a subject’s activities, associations, and whereabouts. Our infidelity investigation services provide definitive answers while protecting your privacy.

Can you help with child custody cases?

Yes. We gather evidence relevant to child custody including:

Documentation of living conditions
Parenting practices and supervision
Association with concerning individuals
Substance abuse evidence
Activity patterns and lifestyle

Our evidence is formatted for family court proceedings and focuses on the child’s best interests.

Can you find someone who doesn’t want to be found?

Often, yes. Our skip tracing services use legal databases, public records, and investigative techniques to locate individuals. Success depends on factors like how long they’ve been missing, their efforts to hide, and available starting information.

We cannot locate people who are in witness protection programs or whose records are legally sealed.

Do you do background checks?

Yes. We perform comprehensive background checks including:

Criminal history searches
Civil court records
Employment verification
Education verification
Professional license verification
Credit checks (with proper authorization)
Previous address history

For employment-related background checks, we comply with all FCRA requirements.

Can you recover deleted text messages or emails?

Sometimes, yes. Our digital forensics experts can often recover deleted data from devices we have legal authority to examine. Success depends on:

How long ago the data was deleted
Whether the device has been used since deletion
Type of device and storage
Whether data was backed up to cloud services

Important: We can only examine devices you own or have explicit written authorization to access.

Do you investigate insurance fraud?

Yes. We conduct insurance fraud investigations for:

Workers’ compensation claims
Disability insurance claims
Personal injury claims
Auto accident claims
Property damage claims

We document claimants’ actual activities and capabilities through surveillance and activity checks.

Legal and Ethical Questions

What can private investigators legally do?

Licensed private investigators can legally:

Conduct surveillance in public places
Access public records
Perform background checks (with proper authorization)
Interview willing witnesses
Serve legal documents
Examine devices with proper authorization
Conduct undercover operations (with limitations)

See our detailed guide on what private investigators can legally do in Colorado.

What can’t private investigators do?

Private investigators cannot legally:

Trespass on private property
Hack into accounts or devices
Wiretap phones
Impersonate law enforcement
Make arrests
Access financial records without authorization
Break any laws to gather evidence

We operate strictly within legal boundaries and gather evidence that will be admissible in court.

Is what I’m asking you to do legal?

During your consultation, we’ll discuss exactly what you want investigated and explain what we can legally do. If your request involves illegal methods, we’ll decline the case and explain the legal alternatives available.

We never engage in illegal investigative methods, as such evidence would be inadmissible in court and could result in criminal charges.

Getting Started Questions

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes. We offer complimentary, confidential consultations to discuss your case, explain what we can do, and provide cost estimates. There’s no obligation to hire us after the consultation.

Consultations can be conducted by phone, email, or in person at our Golden, Colorado office.

What information should I bring to a consultation?

Bring any relevant information including:

Names, addresses, phone numbers of subjects
Photos of individuals involved
Vehicle descriptions and license plates
Timeline of events or concerns
Any previous investigative attempts
Legal documents if case-related
Questions you want answered

The more information you provide, the better we can assess your case and develop an effective investigation plan.

How quickly can you start my investigation?

Once you’ve signed our service agreement and provided the retainer, we can typically begin investigations within:

Surveillance: 24-48 hours
Background checks: Immediately
Digital forensics: 1-3 days (scheduling dependent)
Process service: Same day or next day

For urgent matters, we offer expedited services and can often begin work the same day.

What areas do you serve?

We serve the entire state of Colorado, with primary focus on:

Golden, CO (our office location)
Denver, CO
Boulder, CO
Aurora, CO
Lakewood, CO
Arvada, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Fort Collins, CO
All Colorado Front Range communities

We can also coordinate investigations in other states through our professional network.

How do I hire you?

The hiring process is straightforward:

Step 1: Schedule a free consultation (phone, email, or in-person)
Step 2: Discuss your case and objectives
Step 3: Receive cost estimate and investigation plan
Step 4: Review and sign service agreement
Step 5: Provide retainer payment
Step 6: Investigation begins

Learn more in our guide on how to hire a private investigator in Colorado.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn’t answered here, we’re happy to address it during a free, confidential consultation. Every case is unique, and we’re here to provide the specific information you need.

Contact Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye today:

📞 Phone: 303-381-4585
📧 Email: Info@RockyMountainEagleEye.com
📍 Office: 18475 W Colfax Ave Ste 132, Golden, CO 80401
🌐 Schedule Online: Request Free Consultation