1. Observe and protect
Document what's showing at the Wilmington property -- crack width, door and window behavior, any water intrusion -- and hold off on anything that would erase the evidence.
2. Evaluate the house and site
Sandy soil along the tidal Cape Fear River drains fast in dry weeks and saturates fast after a storm, so a Wilmington evaluation has to weigh both extremes, not just current conditions.
3. Define a written scope
A solid Wilmington scope spells out prep, protection, coastal-appropriate materials, access, permits (including historic review where it applies), testing, cleanup, and how changes get priced.
4. Compare providers
Two Wilmington bids with similar totals can rest on very different assumptions about drainage and materials -- read what's actually included before choosing, and verify credentials regardless.
5. Inspect closeout
Closing out a Wilmington project means confirming test results, a clean site, documentation, warranty terms, and what maintenance responsibility is left with the homeowner.