contractor recommendation in Denver CO

[Shawn Loftis]

Had a tenant text me tonight that there is water seeping in from the foundation into a closet.  Carpet is wet and either paint or plaster is starting to chip off the wall (hard to tell from picture).

House is 60 years old in Commerce City.  Apartment is a garden level basement unit.  

I'm guessing a lot of the plaster is going to need to be removed in the closet to better determine the source of the water.  I haven't had the best of luck getting good contractor's so I'm going to use this experience to get better at it.  No more craigslist for me.

Should I go out and remove a portion of the wall tomorrow so that I can have a better understanding of the scope of work before I start contacting people for bids?  Or at least identify where the source of the water is coming from? 

How bad is it to have a partial wall striped down to the foundation for a tenant for potentially 4-6 weeks before someone could get to the project?  Labor is tight out in Denver at the moment.

Also, if it is the foundation should I only go with someone that will warranty the work? or is that typically not necessary.

Any advise or recommendations would be appreciated,

Shawn