1. Observe and protect
Document symptoms at the Durham property, limit further damage where it's safe to do so, and collect relevant history.
2. Evaluate the house and site
Cracks and sticking doors are clues, not diagnoses — Durham's Piedmont clay and mature tree cover across rolling watersheds is exactly why soil moisture, grading, drainage, framing, and foundation type all need to be weighed together before proposing a repair.
3. Define a written scope
Preparation, protection, materials, access, permits, testing, cleanup, finish restoration, exclusions, and change-order rules all belong in a Durham scope, in writing.
4. Compare providers
Compare the reasoning and boundaries of each Durham proposal, not only the total, and verify credentials yourself.
5. Inspect closeout
Before calling it finished, confirm testing, cleanup, documentation, warranties, and what maintenance is left to you.