Question 1

How much does a private investigator cost?

Accepted Answer

The  cost of a private investigator ranges vastly on the service that is  being requested. You can generally find an investigator for $75 - $150  per hour, based on experience. Some cases may be less, and some  specialty cases may cost more, depending on the scope.

Question 2

Is it worth hiring a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

This  question is based on your current situation, need for the truth, and  personal finances. It's important to consider all these factors before  hiring a private investigator. It never hurts to call and talk to one of  our team members about your concerns and some options to help best  resolve them.

Question 3

Do private investigators work for or with law enforcement?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not work for law enforcement, nor do we act as their agents.

KB Tenacious, LLC is an independent private investigation firm. While we are committed to public safety and may share relevant findings with law enforcement when appropriate, we do so as an independent third party, not at the direction of any agency.

This means:
We do not receive instructions from police officers or government agencies.
We do not conduct searches or surveillance on behalf of law enforcement.
We operate under private authority only, and maintain full autonomy in all investigative decisions.

By staying fully independent, we are able to:
Uphold your privacy and interests as our client.
Avoid many of the legal restrictions placed on government agents.
Ensure any evidence we gather remains legally admissible.

Our work complies with state and federal laws, and when appropriate, we share findings with relevant agencies to assist, but never at their command or control. That distinction protects both our clients and the integrity of any investigation.

Question 4

How is your skip tracing special?

Accepted Answer

At  KB Tenacious, our skip tracing services stand out through a  multifaceted approach, providing verified, in-depth information beyond  the standard report. Our process includes:
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Additional Insights: When locating someone is crucial, we go beyond providing an address and offer extensive details to ensure you’re fully informed.

Multiple Data Sources: We access extensive databases, public records, private resources, and online platforms, to gather comprehensive insights.

Cross-Verification: Each data point is meticulously cross-verified to reduce errors, ensuring reliable, accurate information.

Customized Investigation:  We recognize each case's uniqueness and adapt our approach accordingly.  For instance, let's say you're looking to serve an individual at a  location, but you need their address, phone number, and place of  employment to be included in your skip trace. Let us know what you need,  and we will accommodate you in any way that we can.

This approach empowers you with accurate, comprehensive information for effective decision-making.

Question 5

Can you hack into or track someone's phone?

Accepted Answer

This  is where some of that entertainment magic comes into play. Private  investigators are not legally allowed to hack into things or track  someone's phone. White hat hackers can be employed with the express  consent of the owners of the data being hacked to assist in finding ways  to protect data in a process called penetration testing. You would want  to contact a cybersecurity company about this if you were interested in  that kind of service.

As  private investigators, we can assist the owner of a computer or phone  in checking it for unauthorized surveillance equipment (i.e, trackers  like Life 360 that were installed without your permission) or in  assisting in finding hidden data on your computer using computer  forensics. We can also help in physical penetration testing, ensuring  your home or business is secured against in-person threats.

Question 6

Why hire a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

The main reason to hire a private investigator is to find the truth. Rather  you are looking to find out if your relationship has infidelity, what  your spouse is doing when they leave the house, or if you are in court  and need to find evidence to assist with your case, there are a  multitude of reasons to hire a private investigator. We are only a phone  call away if you need solid evidence or just want to know the answer.

Question 7

What should I look for when hiring a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

There is a few things you want to look for when hiring an investigator:

1. You want to make sure they are licensed and insured.

2. You want to know what kind of experience they have and if they have any specialty.

3.  You want to know that they are going to be ethical and that they know  the laws for your state. A private investigator IS NOT AN ATTORNEY (we  can't stress this enough), but they do have to know the laws to best  protect you, themselves, and the evidence they collect.

4.  Know the cost of the service that you're looking into. A good  investigator may not be able to give you an exact number. But a price  per hour and/or a general estimate should be available.

5.  To go with the cost of services, you want to ask if there are any  payment options. Many investigators may not offer this but it helps to  ask if you need it.

6.  You will want to make sure how they plan to ensure privacy and  confidentiality. A private investigator needs to be able to keep a  secret!

Question 8

Are private investigators legal in WA?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  In Washington State, private investigators are legal—but only if they  hold an active state-issued license. Licensed investigators are required  to carry proof of licensure at all times while performing investigative  work.
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It’s  important to note that not everyone who claims to be an "investigator"  is legally recognized as one. For example, paranormal investigators or  hobbyists may refer to themselves using the title, but unless they are  either licensed by the state or working directly for law enforcement,  they are not legally authorized to perform investigative services.
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Always verify credentials if someone claims to be a private investigator.

Question 9

Can anyone hire a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

Yes, anyone from individuals to businesses can hire a private investigator.

Question 10

What are some private investigator limitations?

Accepted Answer

Private  investigators are often expected to perform as they are portrayed on  TV. Unfortunately, a private investigator has strict limitations when  fulfilling their duties. They are bound by the state's laws as strictly  as any civilian.  That is why an essential skill of a private investigator is to be  resourceful and think quickly on their feet. Here is a list of some, but  not all, limitations of a private investigator.

1. A PI can not trespass or break into places.

2. A PI MUST respect someone's reasonable expectation of privacy (i.e, we can't take a photo of a subject inside someone's home).

3.  In WA state, we cannot audio record without the express permission of  all those involved. This includes placing bugs in your home. This does  change in other states.

4. We cannot hack into people's phones or computers.

5. We cannot place tracking/GPS devices on someone's car to follow them.

6.  We are not able to arrest someone. We can perform a citizen's arrest,  just as any other citizen, and may carry handcuffs to assist in this. We  also have strong connections to law enforcement and will contact them  if needed.

7. We cannot falsify evidence.
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 Unfortunately, for this line of work, this list is minimal compared to  the complete list of things we cannot do. We will inform you of things  we can not do based on your case and questions during intake if you  choose to use our services. We assure you that despite the laws that  restrict us, we are very resourceful in completing the job that needs to  be done and, per our name, are very tenacious.

Question 11

Can you provide a test to tell if my spouse is cheating?

Accepted Answer

We  get asked this often; unfortunately, the answer is kind of. There is no  100% way to test someone for infidelity. But surveillance is an  excellent place to start if you are looking to be discreet, and, of  course, if you are looking to be more direct about the question, then a  polygraph is an excellent option.
 
Understand  that trust is an integral part of a relationship. So, if you believe  your spouse is cheating, we recommend being pretty sure before accusing  someone. Talking to your spouse about your concerns is always a great  first step. But we are always here for you if you need us.

Question 12

Can you help me find a friend or relative I lost contact with? (NOT MISSING PERSONS)

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can help locate a lost friend, family member, or former acquaintance, even if you haven’t been in contact for years. Due to privacy laws and ethical standards, we cannot release the searched party’s personal information without their permission. Instead, once we locate the individual, we reach out directly and pass along your contact details, along with any message you want to include.

If they choose to respond, they will contact you directly. This protects their right to privacy while still giving you the opportunity to reconnect. Our approach is respectful, discreet, and focused on re-establishing communication only if both parties are willing.

Question 13

Can't I just use those online background check services?

Accepted Answer

Yes,  and we encourage it if you want a quick check on someone you're talking  to. But these sources just compile already publicly available  information from online. They are a wonderful source, but private  investigators have more detailed, accurate, and comprehensive tools,  data sources, and skills. Some of our resources are only available  to people who hold specific licenses. We can go deeper into  information, and not only is the information we provide more accurate,  but also more up-to-date!
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If  money is tight and you are just looking for a quick, somewhat  informative answer, then check out many of the services online. But if  you are serious about the information you need to collect, it's  essential to be up-to-date and accurate. Give us a call.

Question 14

What if someone claims to be a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

Be cautious! There are scammers who pose as investigators to exploit people—especially during emotional or vulnerable times.

Watch for:
People demanding money upfront to find your loved one
Psychics asking for payment to “reveal information”
Anyone claiming to be a PI without a valid license
Individuals refusing to show ID or becoming upset when asked for proof

Here’s how to protect yourself:

Ask for their full name and WA State PI license number
Request a business card or company name
Ask to see photo ID or badge—a real investigator should be ready and willing
Verify their license through WA’s Department of Licensing license lookup tool.

Only work with licensed investigators, and report any suspicious contact to local law enforcement or the WA Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

As a licensed investigator, I welcome being asked “Can you prove you're licensed?”—and any true professional will feel the same.

If someone says they’re from KB Tenacious, LLC, you can verify directly with us.

Question 15

I have a question that is not listed here?

Accepted Answer

We can't cover everything on one page. So if you have questions, please reach out to us. We are always happy to help.

KB Tenacious, LLC | Licensed Private Investigation Agency
Your Bridge to the Truth

Frequently Asked Questions