Apocalyptic Hoarding Diary

Chapter 544 The Renovation Worker

Just after noon, Xu Xiaoyan was taking a nap in her guesthouse room when her phone suddenly rang.

She picked it up and saw that it was an unfamiliar number, with the location showing as "Satellite City No. 5".

On a whim, I quickly answered the phone.

"Hello, is this Ms. Xu Xiaoyan?" A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end of the phone, his tone steady, with a touch of the crispness and straightforwardness characteristic of engineers.

"I am the person in charge of the construction of your house on plot E15. My surname is Fang. You can call me Manager Fang. We are preparing to start construction this afternoon. I just wanted to let you know in advance."

Xu Xiaoyan sat up straight: "Hello, Manager Fang! We'll start work this afternoon? Okay, okay, I understand. By the way, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"You said."

Xu Xiaoyan carefully considered her words, trying to make her tone sound less awkward:

"Exactly, I just noticed yesterday that the construction cost seems to only include the main frame and exterior; it doesn't include the plumbing, electrical work, or interior decoration, right?"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, then Manager Fang's voice came through:

"That's right. The official construction team is only responsible for the main building. The internal water and electricity pipelines, walls, floors, sanitary ware, and lighting fixtures are not included."

The owner needs to find someone else to do it. When you select the model on the machine, there is a line of small print at the bottom of the product description that says this.

"I just saw it," Xu Xiaoyan said with a wry smile. "I didn't look carefully at the time, I was just focused on placing the order quickly, and now I've only just discovered this problem. To be honest, I was caught off guard."

After paying the down payment for the house, I don't have much money left in my account, and it might be difficult to find someone to do the full set of interior decoration.

You know a lot of people here, do you know any interior designers who are reasonably priced?

"I just need a transition period, to get the most basic water and electricity connected, paint the walls white, and make the floor walkable. I can add the rest gradually."

She was actually a little nervous when she said those words.

After all, the other party was the person in charge of the construction company, and their relationship was only a business transaction. They had no obligation to help her solve the renovation problems.

But right now she's a complete stranger in this satellite city, and besides Manager Fang, she really can't find anyone else who can give her reliable advice.

Manager Fang was silent for two or three seconds on the other end of the phone, as if he was thinking about something, before speaking, his tone more amiable than before:

"To be honest, I've encountered quite a few cases like yours recently. Many people don't pay attention to the instructions when choosing a room type, and only realize they have to pay an extra fee after they've already paid."

You're looking for a cheaper mechanic... I do know someone named Chen, he's an experienced mechanic.

He's been working in the satellite city for many years, so his skills are very solid. He has a large team working under him.

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up, and she was about to thank him when Manager Fang changed the subject:

"However, I must make it clear to you first that Master Chen has a long backlog of orders, and his wages are not cheap."

If you want a more affordable price, you can ask him to send a few apprentices over to do it for you.

Apprentices are paid low fees, basically at labor costs. They can do the work, but they lack the experience of master craftsmen.

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoyan's initial expectation instantly waned by half.

She hesitated for a moment, but still expressed her concerns tactfully:

"An apprentice... I'm not too comfortable with that. What if he messes up the job and ruins my house? Then I'll have nowhere to cry."

After all, it's a house to live in; accidents involving water and electricity are no laughing matter.

Manager Fang sighed softly on the other end of the phone, her tone becoming more patient:

"Ms. Xu, to be honest with you, the apprentices taught by Master Chen are not as bad as you imagine."

They've been working for Master Chen for at least a year or two, and they can do basic tasks like routine plumbing and electrical installations and wall finishing with their eyes closed.

The only problem is that they lack experience in taking orders independently; what they lack is fame and reputation, not skill.

If you ask them to do something, just explain the requirements clearly, and they will do it accordingly.

Moreover, Master Chen himself cherishes his reputation. He personally inspects his apprentices' work after they finish, and he won't let any work that doesn't meet the standards be handed over.

These words made Xu Xiaoyan waver slightly.

She thought about it and concluded that Manager Fang, as the person in charge of the construction, should have a proven reputation and credibility in the satellite city.

The people he recommends are at least not the kind of shady characters you just pull off on the street.

Besides, experienced craftsmen charge high wages, which she simply cannot afford.

Instead of going to those unknown guys on some random forum, you might as well try being Master Chen's apprentice.

At least there's an experienced worker overseeing and inspecting the work, so if something goes wrong, someone can be held responsible.

"Well... Manager Fang, would you mind giving me Master Chen's contact information?"

"I'll talk to him first and see how to arrange the price and construction period," Xu Xiaoyan finally made up her mind.

"Okay, I'll text you later," Manager Fang readily agreed. "When you contact him, just say I introduced you, and he'll give you a discount."

Also, as a friendly reminder, you should schedule an appointment with Mr. Chen two days before the main structure of the house is completed.

This way, they can come in as soon as I finish here, without having to wait in between, which saves a lot of time.

"Okay, thank you so much, Manager Fang!" Xu Xiaoyan said sincerely.

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure. That's all for now. I'm getting ready to go in. Feel free to contact me if you need anything," Manager Fang said before hanging up.

Xu Xiaoyan held her phone and sat on the edge of the bed waiting. Less than five minutes later, her phone "dinged" and a new message popped up.

She clicked on it and saw that it was a contact number for a Mr. Chen, with a note saying that it would be better to contact him after 2 p.m.

She saved the number in her contacts, noting it as "Master Chen's Renovation".

After saving the money, she didn't call immediately. Manager Fang said it would be more convenient after 2 PM, but it was only just past noon, so she decided to wait.

Make sure you understand the driver's temperament and habits before calling him. It's always good to make a good first impression.

She put her phone on the bedside table and lay back down on the bed. Manager Fang's words gave her a more concrete understanding of the home renovation market in the satellite city.

It turns out she wasn't the only one who encountered this embarrassing situation: "paying for the house only to find out that it doesn't include interior decoration." Many people, like her, were tricked by that line of small gray text.

She silently planned what to say when she called Master Chen later.

First, you need to find out the apprentice's wage, whether it is calculated by square meter or by day, whether materials are included, and how long the project will take.

We also need to clarify with Master Chen that the work can be handed over to the apprentices, but he himself must come to inspect and supervise it.

Finally, the timing must be precise; the team must be on-site on the day the house is completed.