1. Take stock and limit the damage
Photograph and note what you're seeing, take reasonable steps to stop it from spreading if it's safe to do so, and gather any relevant history — recent storms, a slow leak, an AC issue, prior water intrusion.
2. Look at the whole house, not just the spot
The mold itself is usually the smaller half of the story. A useful evaluation traces how water or humid air is getting in, how the space is holding up structurally, and what containment and follow-up verification the job will need.
3. Get the scope in writing
Spell out prep work, protection of the rest of the home, materials, how the crew will access the area, permits, testing, cleanup, finish restoration, what's excluded, and how change orders are priced.
4. Compare more than the bottom line
Check credentials, and weigh how each proposal explains its reasoning and where its responsibility stops — the total price tells you the least of the three.
5. Confirm before you sign off
Before calling it finished, confirm what testing was done, how cleanup was handled, what documentation you're getting, warranty terms, and any ongoing maintenance that falls on you.