1. Observe and protect
Take photos of what you're seeing, keep the area from getting worse if you can do that safely, and jot down anything relevant — a past leak, a previous repair, how old the house is.
2. Evaluate the house and site
What's showing on the surface is a symptom, not the diagnosis. A provider worth hiring will trace where water or humidity is actually getting in, judge the condition of the affected material, and plan containment and a way to confirm the fix worked once the job is done.
3. Define a written scope
Get prep, protection, materials, how crews will access the space, any permits, post-work testing, cleanup, finish restoration, exclusions, and the change-order process spelled out in writing before work starts.
4. Compare providers
Look past the bottom-line number — check credentials, and weigh how each provider explains their reasoning and where their scope stops.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it finished, confirm the post-work testing results, that cleanup is complete, you have documentation in hand, warranty terms, and what upkeep is still on you going forward.