- Inherit a house: Start by claiming Aunt Helena's residence in Hoofville.
- Meet Mr. Zbyszek: Contact your new foreman via the payphone to get renovation jobs.
- Renovate for profit: Clean, paint, and tile client homes to earn cash for your own repairs.
- Watch the foreman: He dies and becomes a ghost companion who offers questionable advice.
- Join the competition: Enter the Super Handyman 95 contest to gain fame and extra rewards.
Getting Started: The Inheritance
The game begins with a letter from your Aunt Helena, gifting you her residence in a rural Polish town. Upon arrival, you'll find the property in a state of disrepair, occupied by squatters and filled with trash. Your initial goal is to secure the property and assess the damage.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to Aunt Helena's house and the initial squatter encounter.
- First interaction with the ghost foreman, Mr. Zbyszek.
- Basic cleaning and trash removal mechanics demonstration.
The house is initially occupied by unfriendly squatters. You must clear them out before beginning renovations. Check every room, including the backyard and outhouses.
Your first task involves cleaning up the exterior and interior. Look for loose change around the property to fund a call to a potential employer.
| Location | Item Found | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | Loose Change | Funds for payphone call |
| Inside House | Trash Bags | Cleaning up debris |
| Outhouse | Tools/Materials | Starter resources |
| Neighbor's House | Miss Barbara | Plot exposition |
Meeting the Foreman: Mr. Zbyszek
To start earning money, you need a job. Use the payphone outside the house to call Mr. Zbyszek (Mr. Isbishik), a local handyman foreman looking for an assistant.
Find the Payphone
Locate the payphone near the starting area. You need the change found in the previous section to make the call.
Accept the Job
Speak to Mr. Zbyszek. He will invite you to a client's apartment at 32 Pine Street, Apartment 12.
The Accident
During your first electrical job, Mr. Zbyszek will suffer a fatal accident. He returns as a ghost to guide (and harass) you through future jobs.
Mr. Zbyszek's ghost is a permanent companion. He provides tutorials but also demands you finish jobs quickly and "properly" (often using unorthodox methods).
Renovation Mechanics & Tools
Low Budget Repairs features a variety of simulation mechanics for different repair tasks. The controls are designed to be somewhat janky but functional, requiring manual input for actions like painting and tiling.
Painting
- Up/Down Motion: Move the mouse up and down to apply paint.
- Coverage: Ensure the whole wall is covered to progress.
- Efficiency: Overpainting wastes time but is often required.
Tiling
- Glue Mixing: Mix tile glue with water in a client's bowl (don't use your own).
- Placement: Align tiles and use spacers for even grout lines.
- Theft: You can often steal leftover tiles for your own projects.
Cleaning
- Sponge: Use the sponge to scrub dirt or soot off walls.
- Extinguisher: Essential for putting out fires (e.g., at the fire station).
- Disposal: Throw trash bags into designated dumpsters.
Always try to "borrow" materials from clients. Mr. Zbyszek encourages taking leftover paint, glue, and even tiles to save money on your own house renovations.
Tool Progression Table:
| Tool/Item | Unlock Condition | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Paintbrush | Starter Job | Applying wall colors |
| Sponge | Starter Job | Cleaning surfaces |
| Hammer | Demolition Jobs | Removing tiles/old structures |
| Fire Extinguisher | Fire Station Job | Extinguishing fires |
| Trowel | Tiling Job | Spreading glue |
The Super Handyman Competition
As you progress, you will be introduced to the "Super Handyman 95" competition. This is a recurring event organized by the Screw society (construction union). Your goal, guided by the ambitious ghost of Mr. Zbyszek, is to defeat the reigning champion, Kalbasa.
Competition jobs are significantly harder than standard contracts. They often involve larger areas, stricter time limits, or hazardous conditions (like putting out a fire in a fire station).
Competition Job Breakdown:
| Job Type | Location | Key Challenges | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment Reno | Pine Street | Learning basic mechanics | Cash + Rep |
| Balony Repair | Client's Home | Removing heavy sofa, tiling | Ranking Points |
| Fire Station | Local Station | Extinguishing fire, cleaning soot | Hazard Pay + Rank |
Competition Checklist:
- Repair the fire station after the brigade's barbecue accident
- Steal materials to minimize overhead costs
- Achieve a high ranking to unlock the final showdown
- Keep Mr. Zbyszek's vodka bottle full (optional)
Advanced Tips & Strategies
Mastering the game requires a mix of efficient work and exploiting the game's physics and logic.
Efficiency Strategies:
| Strategy | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Material Theft | Take leftover paint/glue from every job. | Saves money on home upgrades. |
| Dumpster Diving | Check dumpsters for usable items. | Free resources/tools. |
| Physics Exploits | Throw heavy items (like sofas) out windows. | Saves time carrying things down stairs. |
| Clean Last | Don't clean until all demolition is done. | Avoid cleaning the same spot twice. |
To win the Super Handyman contest, you must balance speed with quality. While Mr. Zbyszek prefers speed, the final ranking depends on the client's satisfaction. Ensure all trash is removed and surfaces are painted before leaving the site.
FAQ
Q: How do I get money in Low Budget Repairs?
Money is earned by completing renovation contracts for clients. You access these by using the payphone to get jobs from Mr. Zbyszek. You can also find loose change scattered around your aunt's house and job sites.
Q: What happens when Mr. Zbyszek dies?
After an electrical accident, Mr. Zbyszek dies and becomes a ghost. He continues to follow you, providing commentary and instructions. He cannot interact with the physical world but acts as your perpetual foreman.
Q: Can I customize my own house?
Yes. Your primary base is Aunt Helena's house. As you earn money and steal materials from jobs, you can repair, paint, and furnish your own home to make it livable.
Q: How do I put out the fire in the Fire Station job?
You must locate the fire extinguisher within the station. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fires and spray. Be careful not to let the fire reach the vodka bottles, as this will cause a game over or massive failure.