1. Document before you decide anything
Photograph the trouble spot, note the slope and drainage nearby, and record how long the issue has been building.
2. Read the site as much as the structure
Retaining walls, steep-lot access, older sash sizing, and heavy rainfall exposure all shape what the job actually involves.
3. Insist on a written scope
Protection of finishes, access logistics on a slope, historic-district notes if applicable, and cleanup should all be spelled out.
4. Weigh more than one proposal
Ask how each provider plans to handle site access and moisture control, not just what they'll charge.
5. Walk the closeout carefully
Verify testing, warranty terms, and any maintenance the mountain climate will demand going forward.