1. Record and limit damage
Document the symptoms, limit additional damage where you safely can, and pull together relevant history on the property.
2. Look at the house and the ground it sits on
Surface mold is only a symptom of something else going on. A sound plan finds the water source, accounts for humidity and material condition, contains the work, and verifies it once finished.
3. Get a written scope
Nail down preparation, protection, materials, access, permits, testing, cleanup, finish restoration, exclusions, and the change-order process.
4. Line up the proposals
Verify who you're dealing with, then compare the logic and limits of each proposal, not just the total price.
5. Check before calling it finished
Before closeout, confirm testing results, cleanup, documentation, warranty, and any maintenance responsibilities going forward.