1. Observe and protect
Photograph what's visible, stop further damage if it's safe to do so, and note what happened beforehand.
2. Evaluate the house and site
For a Joliet property, that means weighing 1850s-era construction, water category, and elapsed time before any scope gets planned -- there's no same-day promise attached.
3. Define a written scope
Get preparation, protection, materials, permits, testing, and change-order terms nailed down in writing before anyone starts.
4. Compare providers
Confirm each Joliet-area bidder's credentials first, then compare how the proposals reason through the job, not just the total.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it finished, confirm test results, cleanup, paperwork, and what's still under warranty.