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 an Elgin property, that means weighing pre-code construction, river proximity, 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
Verify Elgin-area credentials first, then compare how each proposal reasons through the job, not just its bottom line.
5. Inspect closeout
Before signing off, confirm test results, cleanup, paperwork, and what maintenance is still the homeowner's job.