At a minimum, talk with other contractors and get their ideas.

Maybe also speak with the building inspector. Some are full of knowledge and willing to share; others are . . . city employees and that's about it. Like any other profession, there are good and bad ones.

I am having some work done on a concrete slab step, which has shifted out of code, and the driveway, which has shifted and allowing waqter into my cellar. These items were not installed properly first go around; the base was not compacted right.

I talked with 7 contractors. Some to replace the asphalt driveway with asphalt again, others to put in concrete. By the time I talked with #5, 6 and 7, I had much more intelligent questions to ask! I now know more about compacting methods, asphalt, concrete, ribar, wire mesh and highway mesh than I really ever wanted to, lol.

You educate yourself in the process. Helps you make a better decision; at least, I sure hope so!