1. Observe and protect
Photograph what's visible, stop further damage where it's safe to do so, and note what happened beforehand.
2. Evaluate the house and site
For a Sandy Springs property, that means weighing slope, tree cover, 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 confirmed in writing before work starts.
4. Compare providers
Verify credentials first, then compare how each proposal reasons through the job -- not just the bottom-line number.
5. Inspect closeout
Before signing off, confirm test results, cleanup, paperwork, and what maintenance still falls on the homeowner.