- Low budget repairs: Start by clearing trash and cleaning surfaces to prepare for renovation.
- Earn money: Complete jobs for Mr. Zbyszik and clients to fund your own house renovation.
- Renovate: Use tools like hammers and paint to fix walls, tiles, and furniture.
- Save cash: Scavenge free materials from client sites to minimize costs.
- Missions: Follow the main storyline to unlock new skills and the Super Handyman competition.
Getting Started & The Inherited House
Your journey begins with a surprising inheritance from your Aunt Helena. You arrive at a dilapidated residence that needs significant work before it becomes livable. The initial state of the house is dire, filled with trash and occupied by squatters.
Video Highlights:
- Inheriting the "Vava" residence from Aunt Helena.
- Dealing with squatters and cleaning up the initial trash.
- Meeting Miss Barbara and locating the house.
- Initial reaction to the house's poor condition.
Before you can start any renovations, you must clear the interior. Look for black bags and dumpsters to dispose of trash. This improves the hygiene rating and allows you to see the structural damage that needs fixing.
Essential Repair Tools & Techniques
Success in low budget repairs depends on mastering a few core activities. You will primarily focus on painting, plastering, tiling, and basic electrical work.
| Task | Tool Required | Cost Strategy | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Paint Roller / Brush | Use leftover paint from jobs | Easy |
| Plastering | Trowel / Bucket | Scavenge client leftovers | Medium |
| Tiling | Hammer / Glue | "Borrow" client materials | Hard |
| Electrical | Tape / Wire | Risky but cheap | Expert |
When plastering walls, use the "Dip and Go" technique. Dip your trowel in the mix, apply it to the hole, and move on quickly. Don't fuss over perfection; clients just want it to look covered.
Painting
- Prep first: Lay down foil to avoid messy spills.
- Clean up: Use rags to wipe paint off floors immediately.
- Coverage: Ensure the wall color is uniform.
Tiling
- Surface prep: Smash old tiles with a hammer.
- Glue mix: Use water and glue sparingly.
- Spacing: Keep grout lines wide (a toenail's width).
Scavenging
- Leftovers: Take unused paint and plaster from sites.
- Free water: Always use the client's tap for water.
- Recycling: Use client bowls for mixing glue.
Making Money & Early Progression
You need funds to buy materials for your own house. The primary way to earn cash is by working for Mr. Zbyszik, a local handyman with questionable methods but plenty of work.
Find a Payphone
You start with no money. Look around your inherited house or the streets for loose change to use a payphone. Call Mr. Zbyszik to ask for work.
The First Job
Meet Mr. Zbyszik at 32 Pine Street, Apartment 12. Your first task involves painting a wall. Be careful not to make a mess on the floor, or you will have to clean it up.
Electrical Hazards
Mr. Zbyszik may ask you to do simple electrical repairs. Use insulation tape to fix wires. Warning: improper repairs can lead to accidents (like electrocuting your employer).
Collect Payment
Once the job is done, call the client to confirm completion. Payment is essential for buying your own supplies.
Always check the client's location for free materials. If they have paint or plaster left over, "borrow" it for your own projects. Mr. Zbyszik encourages this as a "business strategy."
Advanced Renovations & The Balcony
As you gain experience, you will take on more complex tasks, such as balcony repairs and furniture assembly.
| Job Type | Key Challenge | Solution | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balcony | Dropping heavy furniture | Push sofa out the window | High |
| Wall Repair | Filling holes | Use plaster and paint | Medium |
| Furniture | Assembly | Follow diagrams | Medium |
| Contest | Janush the rival | Win the Super Handyman | Trophy |
When removing heavy furniture like a sofa bed, do not try to carry it down the stairs. The standard handyman method is to push it out the window. Just be sure no one is standing on the balcony below.
The Super Handyman Competition
The ultimate goal for many repairmen is the annual Super Handyman competition organized by SCREW (Society of Construction and Repairs Engineers and Workers). Mr. Zbyszik has a fierce rivalry with Janush, the current president and repeated champion.
Competition Prep:
- Master all basic repair skills (painting, tiling, electrical)
- Save enough money for high-quality tools
- Complete all side jobs for experience
- Beat Janush in the rankings
To win the Kalbasa, you must be efficient. Speed is key, but so is resource management. Don't spend your own money on materials if you can avoid it. Practice on your own house to perfect your speed before entering.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Q: How do I get money to start repairs?
Search your inherited house for loose change to make a call from a payphone. Contact Mr. Zbyszik for a job at 32 Pine Street. Completing this first job will provide the capital needed for further repairs.
Q: Why did Mr. Zbyszik get electrocuted?
This occurs if the electrical repair is not performed correctly or if the insulation tape fails. While it resets the job, it's a stark reminder to prioritize safety—or at least better tape—when working with wires.
Q: What is the best way to save money on materials?
Always scavenge. Use leftover paint and plaster from client sites. Use the client's water for mixing glue. The game rewards 'low budget' solutions, so avoid buying new supplies whenever possible.
Q: How do I fix the balcony tiles?
Remove the old tiles with a hammer. Mix tile glue with water in a bowl (borrowed from the client). Apply the glue sparingly and set the tiles, keeping the grout lines wide to save material.