What to ask, and why
Will my whole finished basement have to be torn out?
Not if most of it can be dried. Clean-water losses in a Wash Park basement often need only the pad and the bottom of the drywall removed. Sewer backups are different; anything porous that touched that water usually has to go. Ask which category your water was and why.
How do I know the walls behind the paneling are really dry?
Ask for the final moisture readings, room by room, compared with a dry reference wall. Older basements mix plaster, paneling, and drywall, and each dries at its own rate, so a single reading isn't enough.
Is my backup even covered?
Many policies exclude sewer backup unless you bought an endorsement. A restoration company can document the loss for the adjuster, but the insurer makes the call, so check your policy before you assume either way.
What if there's asbestos tile under the carpet?
In a pre-1980 bungalow that's a real possibility. Work on suspect tile or mastic should pause until it's sampled. Ask how the schedule changes if testing comes back positive.
Will I get an itemized bill or a single number?
Ask for an itemized estimate that lists each line item with quantities. Many carriers use Xactimate, so an estimate in that format lets you and the adjuster see exactly what you're being charged for.