Nationwide private investigator consulting
Private Investigator Consulting
Hiring a private investigator involves more than most people expect: state licensing rules, recording and privacy laws, evidence that has to hold up, and billing terms that vary widely. Delator Group's private investigator consulting service takes that on for you, so the right licensed professional is working on your matter from day one.
- Licensed professionals in every state
- One consultant, one point of contact
- The research handled for you
- 50States where our consultants can help
- 1Consultant and point of contact
- 0Licensing rules you have to learn
- TNLicensed PI firm, Nashville headquarters
Quick answer
What is private investigator consulting?
Private investigator consulting is professional help with the part of an investigation most people underestimate: deciding who should do the work. Licensing, legal limits, specialties and pricing differ from state to state and case to case. With Delator Group, you explain the situation once. Our consultants work through those questions and introduce you to a licensed investigator suited to your matter, who then contracts with you directly. Delator Group does not perform, supervise or direct the investigation itself.
01The problem
Why hiring an investigator is more complicated than it looks
Most people hire a private investigator once in their lives, usually during a stressful week, and quickly discover how many decisions are involved. Is the person licensed in the state where the work happens, and does that state license individuals, agencies or both? Can they legally record a conversation there, or follow a car, or place a tracker? Will what they gather be usable if the matter ends up in front of a judge? Search results do not answer any of those questions.
Every state writes its own rules. Some require a license for individuals and a separate one for the agency; some license through a state board, others through the state police or a county court; a few do not license investigators at all. Recording laws split between one-party and all-party consent. Tracking-device, trespass and pretexting rules differ again. A credential or method that is fine in one state can be a problem in the next one.
Then come the practical questions: which specialty fits the matter, how the work should be scoped so hours are not wasted, what a fair billing structure looks like, what the contract should say about reports and testimony, and what to do when the matter crosses a state line. Getting any of these wrong can cost money, time and sometimes the usefulness of the evidence itself. Our consulting service exists so you do not have to become an expert in all of it before you can get help.
02What we do
What Delator's consulting service covers
Delator Group is a licensed private investigation firm headquartered in Nashville, and our consultants bring that industry knowledge to the decision you are facing. It starts with a confidential conversation about what happened, what you need to know or prove, where the people and places involved are located, and whether an attorney, court date or insurance claim is part of the picture.
From there, our consultants handle the questions that trip most people up. Which state's rules apply, what kind of license the work requires there, which specialty fits, and who is available in the right county. We speak with investigators about availability and fit, and we confirm through the state's licensing records that the license is current before any introduction. You never have to sort through listings, decode a licensing statute or hold a round of interviews.
When the right licensed professional is identified, we introduce you. The investigator speaks with you directly about the work and the price, and you decide whether to engage them. Delator stays your point of contact for anything about the engagement: if something is not working, if a second state comes into play, or if your needs change, one call puts our consultants back to work on it.
- A confidential consultation about your situation
- State licensing and legal questions handled for you
- Specialty, location and availability considered together
- License confirmed before any introduction
- One consultant and point of contact throughout
03Choosing well
How our consultants decide who belongs on your matter
The right professional for a custody question in a suburban county is rarely the right one for an insurance claim in a rural one. Our consultants start with the type of work. Surveillance, background research, locating people, financial and asset questions, workplace matters and litigation support each reward different experience, and the differences rarely show on a website.
Location and law come next. An investigator who already works the county knows the courthouse, the records offices and the travel times, which tends to mean fewer billed hours. And because licenses stop at the state line, a matter that touches two states may need two licensed professionals. Our consultants plan for that up front instead of discovering it halfway through.
Finally, we weigh the practical details: availability for your timeline, communication style, and experience preparing reports or testimony if the matter may reach a courtroom. The goal of every consultation is the same. Your important matter should be in the right professional hands the first time, so you are not starting over with someone new when the stakes are highest.
04Clear roles
What stays with the licensed investigator, and why that protects you
Every state that licenses investigators does so for a reason: the person doing the work should answer for it. That is why the roles are deliberately clear. The investigator you are introduced to is an independent professional licensed in that state. They plan the investigative approach, carry out the work, set their own fees, and sign the contract with you. Delator Group does not perform, supervise or direct their investigation.
Clear roles are good for your matter. You know exactly who is responsible for the work and whose license stands behind it. If evidence ever needs to be explained in a deposition or courtroom, the person who gathered it can testify to how it was done. And because you contract directly with the investigator, the terms, deliverables and costs are set between the two of you in writing.
It also keeps your options open. Because the investigator is an independent professional, you can ask them directly about their experience, approach, insurance and reporting before you agree to anything, and you are never locked into a relationship that does not feel right. Our consultants can suggest the questions worth asking in that first call, from how often you will receive updates to what a final report will contain, so you go into the conversation prepared rather than guessing what matters.
Delator's consulting covers everything that happens before and around that relationship: understanding what you need, working through the licensing and legal questions, identifying and confirming the right licensed professional, making the introduction, and staying available if anything needs to change. Our full disclosure about these roles, including referral compensation, is set out below so there is never any confusion about who does what.
05Time and money
How good consulting saves time, money and stress
Investigators usually bill by the hour plus expenses, so the biggest costs tend to come from mismatches: an investigator unfamiliar with the area who spends hours learning it, one who takes a surveillance assignment when records research would have answered the question, or one who turns out not to be licensed where the work happened. Starting with the right professional helps you avoid paying twice for the same answer.
There is also the cost you do not see on an invoice. Researching investigators, checking licenses, holding interviews and comparing quotes can take days, and those days matter when a hearing is set or a person is about to move again. Good consulting compresses that work into a single conversation, so the work can begin while the facts are still fresh.
And there is peace of mind. People who reach out to an investigator are often dealing with something painful: a family crisis, a betrayal, a loss or a business problem that keeps them awake. Handing the decision to consultants who know the industry lets you focus on your family, your business or your case, with one number to call if questions come up.
06Where we fit
Where Delator investigates directly and where we consult
Delator Group is licensed and headquartered in Tennessee, where our own team handles investigations statewide; you can read about that work on our Tennessee statewide coverage page. Delator Group also provides investigations directly in several states that do not license private investigators at the state level, including Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho, Alaska and Mississippi, each with its own state page.
Everywhere else, our consulting service is how we help. Each of those states has its own page explaining how that state licenses investigators, what licensed investigators there can and cannot legally do, and which cities and counties are covered. The Texas page is a good example of what you will find. Use the state list near the bottom of this page, or the Filter by state menu at the top of the site, to go straight to yours.
If you are not sure which situation applies, or your matter touches more than one state, start with a single request. We will tell you whether Delator handles it directly or whether our consulting service and a licensed investigator in that state is the right path, and you will never be passed around between call centers. Start a request and describe the matter in a few sentences; that is enough for us to begin.
What we handle
What our consultants take off your plate
Everything below happens on your side of the engagement. The investigation itself is planned and performed by the independently licensed investigator you choose to engage.
- A confidential consultationOne conversation to understand what happened, what you need to learn, where it is happening and what deadlines apply, so nothing important is missed.Learn more
- The right specialtyOur consultants identify professionals whose experience fits your kind of matter, whether family, locates, business, insurance or litigation support.Learn more
- The right state and countyWe work through which state's rules apply and look for investigators licensed there and familiar with the county involved.Learn more
- The conversations for youWe speak with candidate investigators about availability, timing and fit, so you do not have to hold a round of interviews yourself.Learn more
- Licensing questions handledWe confirm through the state's licensing records that the investigator's license is active before any introduction. You are always welcome to check it too.Learn more
- A prepared introductionYou are introduced with a clear summary of your situation, so the first conversation with the investigator starts with substance.Learn more
- One consultant throughoutIf something is not working or your needs change, you call one number and our consultants take it from there.Learn more
- Multi-state planningWhen people, property or records sit in more than one state, we plan for a licensed professional in each place from the start.Learn more
How it works
How our consulting works, step by step
- 01
Request a consultation
Send a short request or call. Describe the situation, the state, any deadlines and how to reach you. Everything you share is treated as confidential.
- 02
Talk it through
A Delator consultant reviews the matter with you. If Delator investigates directly in your state, we will tell you; otherwise our consulting service takes it from here.
- 03
Leave the research to us
Licensing rules, legal limits, specialties, locations and availability are worked through on our side. You do not need to research any of it.
- 04
Meet the right professional
You are introduced to a licensed investigator suited to your matter, who contacts you directly to discuss the approach, timing and price.
- 05
Engage the investigator directly
If you choose to proceed, you contract with the investigator, who carries out and is responsible for the investigation under their state license.
- 06
Call us anytime
If anything about the engagement is not working, or a new state comes into play, your Delator consultant is one call away.
Compare
Hiring an investigator on your own vs. with Delator's consulting
| Question | On your own | With Delator's consulting |
|---|---|---|
| Which state's rules apply? | Research the licensing statute and agency yourself | Handled by our consultants |
| Is this person properly licensed? | Find and search the right state database | Confirmed before any introduction |
| Which specialty fits the matter? | Judge from websites and sales calls | Assessed against your situation |
| What can legally be done there? | Learn recording, tracking and trespass rules | Considered before anyone is introduced |
| Who covers the county involved? | Call around and repeat your story | Identified for you |
| What if it crosses state lines? | Start the search again in each state | Planned for from the start |
Roles and disclosures
Who does what when you work with Delator's consulting service
Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. Delator Group investigates directly only where it holds or does not need a license for that work, as described on its state pages. In every other state, Delator Group provides private investigator consulting only: it helps clients select and engage a licensed investigator and does not perform, supervise or direct investigations. The investigation is performed by an independent private investigator who holds the license that state requires. That investigator contracts with you directly, sets and quotes their own fees, decides the investigative methods and is solely responsible for the investigative work.
Delator Group's consulting is limited to the client side of hiring: understanding what you need, identifying a licensed investigator suited to the type and location of your matter, confirming that investigator's license status, introducing you, and remaining available as your point of contact for questions about the engagement. Any advice about how to investigate your matter comes from the licensed investigator, and any legal advice comes from your attorney. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals. Delator Group does not provide legal advice, and outcomes of any investigation cannot be promised. You remain free to verify any investigator's license with the state licensing authority yourself.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Delator Group the investigator on my matter?
In Tennessee and in the states where Delator Group investigates directly, yes, and those state pages explain that work. In other states, no. Delator Group's role is consulting: we work through the licensing and selection questions, confirm the license and introduce a licensed investigator, and that independent investigator performs the work, sets their fee and contracts with you directly. Delator does not perform, supervise or direct their investigation.
Do I still need to check the investigator's license?
You do not have to. Before any introduction, Delator confirms through the state's licensing records that the investigator's license is active. Because it is your matter, you are always welcome to verify it yourself as well, and each state page explains how that state's license lookup works and which agency issues investigator licenses there.
How do your consultants decide which investigator is right for me?
Our consultants look at the type of matter first, because investigators specialize: surveillance, locates, background research, financial questions, workplace matters and litigation support all reward different experience. Then we work through the state's rules, the county, your timeline and any court involvement, and we speak with the investigator about availability before making an introduction.
How much does the consulting service cost me?
The investigator you are introduced to quotes their own fees for the investigation, usually hourly plus expenses or a project price, and you agree on them directly before any work starts. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals. Ask us about your situation and we will explain how it works before you commit to anything.
Can you help in any state?
Yes. Delator Group investigates directly in Tennessee and several other states, and for every other state our consulting service connects you with a professional licensed there. Use the state list on this page or the Filter by state menu at the top of the site to see how it works where your matter is located.
What if my matter involves more than one state?
That is common, for example when a person moves or assets sit in several places. Because licenses are state-specific, the right approach is often an investigator licensed in each state involved. We can help you find each one and keep you from repeating your story to every new contact.
Is my request confidential?
Yes. Delator Group treats your request as confidential and shares it only with the investigator we introduce you to, so they can understand what you need. Once you hire an investigator, the confidentiality of the investigative work is part of your agreement with them.
How quickly can I be introduced to an investigator?
It depends on the state, the county and the type of work, but our goal is to move quickly, especially when a deadline or court date is involved. Tell us about any timing pressure in your first request so our consultants can factor it in.
What if I do not click with the investigator?
You are never obligated to engage the investigator we introduce. If the fit does not feel right, or you cannot reach them, contact your Delator consultant and we will go back to work on finding another licensed professional suited to your matter.
Can attorneys use the consulting service?
Yes. Attorneys use our consulting service to find licensed investigators for witness location, background research, surveillance and evidence work in states where they do not have an established investigator relationship. Include the court, the county and any discovery or trial deadlines in the request.
Will the investigator testify if my case goes to court?
Many licensed investigators prepare written reports and can testify about what they observed and how they gathered information. If your matter may end up in court, tell us early so we can look for an investigator with that experience, and discuss testimony directly with the investigator before hiring them.
Why not just search online for an investigator near me?
You can, and some people find a good fit that way. The challenge is that search results mix licensed investigators with unlicensed operators and lead sites that resell your inquiry, and the licensing and legal questions behind a good choice are not on any website. A consultation starts from your situation and the law where it happens, which usually saves time and the cost of starting over.
Nationwide
Choose your state
Select the state where your matter is located. Where Delator Group investigates directly, the state page explains its own services and pricing; everywhere else, the state page explains how our consulting service works there and how that state licenses investigators.
Delator investigates directly
Consulting by state
Delator Group is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and is licensed as a private investigation firm in Tennessee. Outside the states where it investigates directly, Delator Group provides private investigator consulting and referral only. Photography: NASA / Unsplash · Mina Rad / Unsplash · Matt Ragland / Unsplash. Last reviewed .
Delator Group · Private investigator consulting
Tell us what is going on. Our consultants will take it from there.
One conversation is all it takes. Describe the situation and where it is happening, and Delator Group's consultants will work through the licensing, legal and selection questions and put the right licensed professional on your matter, so it starts on the right footing without the research, the guesswork or the second attempt.
Delator Group · Nashville headquarters · Licensed in Tennessee · Private investigator consulting nationwide
