1. Triage and protect
Get active water under control, protect what’s nearby, and decide if this needs someone today or can wait.
2. Diagnose
Check fixture behavior, pressure, drainage, venting, visible pipe material, and any prior work in the area.
3. Define the scope
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 gets supported properly, kept accessible where it counts, and tested under real conditions before it’s called done.