1. Observe and protect
Photograph what's showing up at the Lexington property, limit further damage where it's safe to do so, and gather whatever history exists on the house.
2. Evaluate the house and site
In the Bluegrass, this step means checking bedrock depth and crawl-space condition before assuming ordinary settlement is the cause.
3. Define a written scope
Put in writing: preparation, protection, materials, access, permits, testing, cleanup, finish restoration, exclusions, and change-order rules for the Lexington job.
4. Compare providers
Weigh the reasoning behind competing Lexington bids, not just the total, and check credentials before choosing one.
5. Inspect closeout
Closeout on a Lexington job means testing, cleanup, documentation, warranty paperwork, and maintenance responsibilities all confirmed in writing.