We are temporarily closed as we move locations. We still accept calls for questions if you need any help. But we are not accepting any cases at this time. Return expected SEPT 25th
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Always verify credentials if someone claims to be a private investigator.
Yes, anyone from individuals to businesses can hire a private investigator.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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: 📞 (360) 899-6456 🌐 www.kbtenacious.com
We can't cover everything on one page. So if you have questions, please reach out to us. We are always happy to help.