1. Observe and protect
Note the symptoms at the property, take steps to prevent additional damage where it's safe, and gather any relevant background.
2. Evaluate the house and site
Cracks and sticking doors are clues, not diagnoses: around Fayetteville, sandy Sandhills soil along the Cape Fear River means grading, drainage, framing, and foundation type all need to be weighed together before a repair plan is proposed.
3. Define a written scope
Get preparation, protection, materials, access, permits, testing, cleanup, restoration, exclusions, and change-order terms spelled out in writing.
4. Compare providers
Weigh the reasoning behind competing Fayetteville-area proposals, not just the total, and check credentials independently.
5. Inspect closeout
Before treating the job as done, confirm testing, cleanup, documentation, warranty terms, and any remaining maintenance duties.