1. Document before you touch anything
Record what's happening, hold off on further damage where you safely can, and note the timeline.
2. Assess the house and the lot
Because the ground here shifts between Piedmont clay and sandier fill, a solid plan has to track drainage paths, standing water, liner anchoring, termite-inspection clearance, air sealing, dehumidifier placement, and the state of the wood framing before any product gets specified.
3. Get the scope on paper
Spell out prep, protection, materials, access, permits, testing, cleanup, restoration, exclusions, and change-order terms.
4. Line the providers up side by side
Verify credentials and compare the reasoning and boundaries behind each proposal—not only the total.
5. Confirm before you close it out
Check that testing, cleanup, paperwork, and warranty terms are all accounted for.