HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

How to hire a private investigator in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No SIA licence covers private investigation, but data protection law does. Here are the checks and the questions to ask.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a private investigator in five steps

  1. Write down what you need to knowAnd why, in plain terms.
  2. Ask how it will be done lawfullyMethods, and what the private investigator will not do.
  3. Check ICO registrationAn investigator processing personal data should usually pay the ICO fee.
  4. Agree hours, expenses and a capIn writing, with reports at set points.
  5. Ask for court-ready evidenceIf a solicitor may use it, involve them early.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

Private investigations are described in Schedule 2 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, but the SIA's guidance on which jobs need a licence does not list them, so no SIA licence applies to private investigators. Any trade association membership is voluntary.

Ask the private investigator about experience, insurance and any professional membership. legislation.gov.uk →

Data protection and the ICO fee

Tracing, background checks and surveillance involve personal data, which must be handled lawfully and securely. A business processing personal data must pay the ICO data protection fee unless exempt.

Check the investigator on the ICO register. gov.uk →

Unlawfully obtaining personal data (Data Protection Act 2018)

Section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018 makes it a crime, with limited defences, to get hold of or pass on personal data knowingly or recklessly when the organisation holding it, such as a bank or phone company, has not agreed.

Ask the private investigator to confirm in writing they will not obtain bank, phone or medical records by deception. legislation.gov.uk →

Security licences for other roles

If the investigator also offers guarding, close protection or CCTV monitoring, those activities need the right SIA licence.

For those extras, check the SIA register by licence number. gov.uk →

VAT

Investigation work is standard-rated, so a registered private investigator adds 20% to the hourly rate and to mileage and other expenses passed on. Registration becomes compulsory once a private investigator has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask the private investigator for the VAT number with the instruction and for hours, expenses and VAT listed apart. gov.uk →

“What methods will the private investigator use, and what will you not do?”

A good answer: A lawful plan: open-source research, enquiries, surveillance in public, and a clear no to pretexting for records.

“Are you registered with the ICO?”

A good answer: Yes, with a name you can search.

“What is the hourly rate, and how are expenses charged?”

A good answer: Rates, mileage and equipment, with a cap you approve.

“How many investigators will surveillance need?”

A good answer: An honest number; surveillance often needs two or more.

“How will the investigation be reported?”

A good answer: Written reports with photos or video where lawful, suitable for a solicitor.

“How will you store and delete the information?”

A good answer: Secure storage and deletion when the case ends.

“Do you hold insurance?”

A good answer: Professional indemnity or liability cover, named.

Getting the quote right

  • Hourly rate and the number of investigators
  • Who actually attends the surveillance or enquiries: the private investigator named, employed investigators, or subcontracted ones
  • Expenses: mileage, accommodation, equipment
  • A cap on hours or spend before you approve more
  • Reporting format and frequency
  • Data handling and deletion
  • The VAT number, with VAT at 20% on the hours and expenses

Walk away if

  • Offers to get bank, phone or medical records
  • Will not explain methods
  • No ICO registration
  • No cap on hours
  • Pressure to start surveillance at once
  • Cash only, no invoice
LOW
£45
TYPICAL
£70
HIGH
£120

What a private investigator costs: £45–£120 per hour

Private investigators charge by the hour per investigator, plus mileage and expenses; surveillance is the most costly work. Private Investigator price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Private investigators near you, with the badges that matter shown

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Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Case assessmentWhat you need to find out and the lawful ways to do it.
  2. InstructionsScope, methods, hours cap and reporting agreed in writing.
  3. InvestigationResearch, enquiries or surveillance carried out.
  4. EvidencePhotos, video and records gathered lawfully and kept securely.
  5. ReportFindings reported for you or your solicitor.

Tracing
Finding a person's current address or contact details.
Surveillance
Watching and recording a person's activities, usually in public.
Open-source research
Using publicly available information.
Pretexting
Obtaining information by pretending to be someone else; unlawful for personal data.
Controller
The organisation that decides how personal data is used.
Process server
Someone who delivers court papers; a separate service.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the report securelyIt contains personal data about other people.
Pass it to your solicitorIf you intend to rely on it in a dispute.
Confirm deletionAsk the investigator to delete material once the case ends.
Your reviewYour review helps the next person choose; Locufy only accepts reviews of booked work. If there is a problem with the private investigator, the make-it-right step gives them a chance to fix it first.

STEP 1Tell the private investigator, in writingSet out the problem, the date and what would put it right. Trading as a business, the private investigator owes you reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and where that was missing you can require the work done again or a lower price.
STEP 2Use Locufy's make-it-right stepUnder four stars, you are asked whether to send the problem to the private investigator before reviewing. We chase it with them, and your review follows.
STEP 3The ICO, or consumer adviceReport misuse of personal data to the ICO. For a dispute about the service or bill, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) or Consumerline (0300 123 6262) can explain your rights.
STEP 4Claim the money backIf nothing else works, claim from the private investigator in the small claims court: up to £10,000 in England and Wales, up to £5,000 in Scotland by simple procedure, and up to £5,000 in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a private investigator: questions people ask

Not at present: private investigation is not among the SIA licence sectors on gov.uk, though other security roles are.

Obtaining personal data without the controller's consent can be an offence under section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

If they process personal data as a business, they usually must pay the ICO data protection fee.

Usually £45–£120 per hour, with £70 typical. Surveillance with several investigators, evenings and weekends, and travel push the bill up. See the private investigator price guide for the detail, or enter your town above for private investigators near you.

Ask your solicitor early; evidence must be gathered lawfully and recorded properly.

A few hours for desk research; days or weeks for surveillance.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in business & professional

How to hire: SolicitorHow to hire: Family Law SolicitorHow to hire: Employment Law SolicitorHow to hire: ParalegalHow to hire: GDPR / Data Protection ConsultantHow to hire: HR ConsultantHow to hire: Business ConsultantHow to hire: Management ConsultantAll 701 hiring guides →

Private investigators near you

Private investigators in LondonPrivate investigators in ManchesterPrivate investigators in BirminghamPrivate investigators in GlasgowPrivate investigators in BelfastAll private investigators on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Private Security Industry Act 2001, Schedule 2
  2. gov.uk — find out if you need an SIA licence
  3. Data Protection Act 2018, section 170
  4. gov.uk — pay the data protection fee
  5. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  6. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue
  7. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  8. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  9. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register