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Thinking of starting a private investigation business.

Just wondering if anyone has an experience/input on the world of private investigations?

I have the relevant experience, but can't find much information out there on the world of private investigations, whether it's worthwhile to begin business etc.

The type of services I would be looking to offer would include extra-matrimonial investigations, insurance fraud investigations, employment related investigations, private investigation, obtaining statements, surveillance (within the law) etc.

Comments

  • NotEvanAPot
    NotEvanAPot Posts: 216 Forumite
    Your bankruptcy would be a barrier to operating in such an industry - regulators would want to know about it and their would be the possibility of clients looking up your details, prompting no business or possibly awkward conversations.
  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would have thought it was a prime tenet of the field that you're considering entering that you should be able to find things out for yourself - I certainly wouldn't be amused as a client if your first thought was to ask random strangers on the internet to do the job for you.
  • dd32d
    dd32d Posts: 24 Forumite
    Your bankruptcy would be a barrier to operating in such an industry - regulators would want to know about it and their would be the possibility of clients looking up your details, prompting no business or possibly awkward conversations.

    I am discharged from bankruptcy, there are no restrictions on me. At the moment, the PI industry isn't regulated although there are plans to change that and introduce SIA licensing. Being an ex-bankrupt really isn't an issue for me here, certainly for the majority of the work.
  • dd32d
    dd32d Posts: 24 Forumite
    agrinnall wrote: »
    I would have thought it was a prime tenet of the field that you're considering entering that you should be able to find things out for yourself - I certainly wouldn't be amused as a client if your first thought was to ask random strangers on the internet to do the job for you.

    You'd be surprised how little information there is out there on this industry, and this being an employment forum, I thought it was worth asking. A "prime tenet" of this role is evidence gathering, asking questions. That's like saying a police officer shouldn't ask questions whilst investigating something and that they should just "find it for themselves" ;)
  • dd32d
    dd32d Posts: 24 Forumite
    Clearly there isn't much to be gleaned from this forum, so the moderators may as well close this thread.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,614 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    dd32d wrote: »
    Clearly there isn't much to be gleaned from this forum, so the moderators may as well close this thread.

    Theres the association of PI's, theres even a page on "Become an investigator".
  • dd32d wrote: »
    I am discharged from bankruptcy, there are no restrictions on me. At the moment, the PI industry isn't regulated although there are plans to change that and introduce SIA licensing. Being an ex-bankrupt really isn't an issue for me here, certainly for the majority of the work.
    Being discharged doesn't mean bankruptcy no longer has an impact. Anyone asking the question "have you ever been bankrupt?" Requires an honest answer.

    My recommendation, look at options to train for a trade. I've just completed 12 weeks intensive electrical, plumbing and gas training after ten years in a similar industry to yours.
  • Tiddlywinks
    Tiddlywinks Posts: 5,777 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    On another thread you've asked about becoming a chartered accountant - you seem to have a really scattergun approach to planning.

    Go back to basics: What are your current skills? What further educational opportunities are suitable for you? What are your primary goals in life?

    The work and lifestyle of an accountant would be totally different to that of a PI. Working conditions, hours, clients etc.

    The skill set is entirely different too.

    Why do you think you'd make a good PI? You need good IT skills for searching and analysis, a broad set of social skills and graces, an ability to be 'every man' and blend in, ample patience and a willingness to face aggression when things go pear shaped. Youll also need to understand business practices and regulations across a wide spectrum plus possess an excellent grasp of the law to prevent you from ending up on the wrong side of it.

    How will you advertise your services, check out prospective clients, what will you use as start up capital? You'll need enough to buy kit, subscribe to online services and have a working slush fund for 'on the ground' expenses and, most importantly, premises. You certainly don't want to do PI work from home.

    The logistics and prior planning (or lack thereof) can make or break a new business.
    :hello:
  • Missus_Hyde
    Missus_Hyde Posts: 539 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic
    edited 2 July 2016 pm31 12:28PM

    Why do you think you'd make a good PI? You need good IT skills for searching and analysis, a broad set of social skills and graces, an ability to be 'every man' and blend in, ample patience and a willingness to face aggression when things go pear shaped. Youll also need to understand business practices and regulations across a wide spectrum plus possess an excellent grasp of the law to prevent you from ending up on the wrong side of it.

    How will you advertise your services, check out prospective clients, what will you use as start up capital? You'll need enough to buy kit, subscribe to online services and have a working slush fund for 'on the ground' expenses and, most importantly, premises. You certainly don't want to do PI work from home.

    The logistics and prior planning (or lack thereof) can make or break a new business.

    It would also be very advantageous to have a dead partner in a white suit who can go through walls, materialise in different places without being visible to anyone else and constantly rescue you from life threatening situations, should that become necessary. :T :rotfl:
    A cunning plan, Baldrick? Whatever it was, it's got to be better than pretending to be mad; after all, who'd notice another mad person around here?.......Edmund Blackadder.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,614 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What about the suggestions in your other thread your started a few days ago ?
This discussion has been closed.
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