1. Observe and protect
Write down what you're seeing, take reasonable steps to stop things from getting worse if it's safe to do so, and gather any relevant background -- past leaks, prior repairs, recent weather.
2. Evaluate the house and site
What's visible is rarely the full extent of it. A solid evaluation looks at where water is getting in, how humid the space runs, the condition of affected materials, how the work will be contained, and how results get verified afterward.
3. Define a written scope
Get it in writing: what prep and protection happens first, which materials will be used, how access is handled, what permits apply, how the fix gets tested, cleanup expectations, finish restoration, what's excluded, and how changes mid-job are handled.
4. Compare providers
Check credentials, and weigh the reasoning and limits behind each bid -- not just which number is lowest.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it done, confirm what testing was performed, that cleanup is complete, get documentation in hand, understand warranty coverage, and clarify any maintenance that's still on you going forward.