1. Triage and protect
Get active water under control, protect what’s nearby, and decide whether this needs someone today or can wait.
2. Diagnose
Look at fixture behavior, pressure, drainage, venting, visible pipe material, and any prior work in the area.
3. Define the scope
A written scope should spell out what’s being repaired, how it’s accessed, who patches the finish, permit responsibility, testing, and exclusions.
4. Complete and test
Finished work should be properly supported, accessible where it matters, and tested under real conditions — not just eyeballed — before it’s called done.