1. Walk the room and the site
Note the existing layout, how the house is built — crawlspace, slab, or otherwise — and what access looks like for materials and equipment.
2. Sort out what's wear-and-tear from what's a real problem
Housing built fast for a rotating population often shows its age in the fixtures first — the framing, drain position, and waterproofing behind them need their own separate look before anyone writes a scope.
3. Pin down the scope before work starts
Materials, protection for the rest of the home, permits, testing, cleanup, and how a mid-job surprise gets priced should all be spelled out in advance, not negotiated later.
4. Read past the total on the page
Two quotes with matching totals can represent very different amounts of actual work — ask what's included, not just what it costs.
5. Close the loop before anyone leaves
Confirm testing, cleanup, warranty paperwork, and any maintenance that's now on you before calling the job finished.