1. Observe and protect
Take note of what you are seeing, stop any further damage if it is safe to do so on your own, and gather whatever history is relevant—prior leaks, past repairs, recent weather.
2. Evaluate the house and site
The mold you can see is only the tip of it. This step traces where moisture is actually entering, how humid the space runs, what condition the surrounding materials are in, how the work area will be contained, and how the result will be checked once it is done.
3. Define a written scope
Nail down, in writing, how the space will be prepped and protected, what materials will be used, how the crew will access the work area, which permits and tests apply, what cleanup and finish restoration are included, and how exclusions or change orders get handled.
4. Compare providers
Check credentials, then read each proposal closely for how the provider explains their approach and where they have drawn the boundaries of the job—the bottom-line number alone does not tell you that.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it finished, confirm that post-work testing was done, the site was actually cleaned up, you have documentation in hand, warranty terms are clear, and you know what maintenance is still on you going forward.