Start with what's causing it
The visible portion is just the tip of it -- a sound plan also looks at water entry, humidity, material condition, containment, and confirms results once finished.
What belongs in the scope
- Existing conditions and likely cause
- Preparation and protection
- Materials, compatibility, and installation details
- Permits, testing, cleanup, and restoration
- Exclusions, warranty terms, and change-order process
Grand Rapids Context
Housing that old has usually had its ventilation, crawlspace, and moisture-control systems altered or added onto more than once, and West Michigan's location in Lake Michigan's lake-effect snowbelt adds a heavy winter precipitation load on top of that -- February 2013 alone brought over three feet of snow to Grand Rapids -- both of which shape where hidden moisture tends to build up in the city's older housing stock.