1. Observe and protect
Write down what you're observing, stop further damage wherever it's safe to intervene, and gather any relevant history on the property.
2. Evaluate the house and site
An honest Akron-area evaluation weighs the water category, how much time has passed, what cavities might be affected, electrical safety, and material porosity before any plan gets made -- and nothing here promises an emergency-speed response.
3. Define a written scope
Nail down preparation steps, what gets protected, material choices, access needs, permitting, testing, cleanup, the finish restoration, exclusions, and the change-order process, all in writing.
4. Compare providers
With Akron-area bids in hand, check credentials before anything else, then weigh the reasoning and the boundaries behind each proposal rather than just eyeballing the total.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it finished, confirm the testing results, cleanup standard, paperwork, warranty terms, and whatever maintenance responsibility falls back on the homeowner.