Chapter 713
The foreman of this construction team is named Tian, from Hebei. The construction team he built up is also well-known in Beijing.
Foreman Tian and his brothers were doing the finishing work on the renovation project. Lao Zhao helped arrange a time for the father and daughter to go and look for them.
When he saw the Su family father and daughter, he was squatting under the scaffolding to eat. The edge of the aluminum lunch box was a little deformed, and the white rice was covered with a few pieces of shiny braised pork, which his wife had specially prepared this morning.
He looked to be in his early teens, with tanned skin and a smile that revealed a row of neat white teeth.
After listening to Su Miao's purpose, he wiped his mouth and stood up.
"Additions and renovations to the old house? Just ask me, Old Tian, for that. It happens to be finished tomorrow, so we can move in anytime."
Old Tian patted his chest and said, the dust on his work clothes fell down.
Then he asked the two to sit on a stone bench and took out a photo album from his tool kit. The plastic film was stained with fingerprints and made a sticky "sizzling" sound when he opened it.
The first page showed a yellowed photo of several young people standing in front of a newly built brick wall with a banner that read "Advanced Construction Team" hanging behind them.
He pointed at each photo and told them all about it:
"Look, these are all the things our team has done. Some are simple renovations, some are complete renovations, some are demolished and rebuilt, and some are additions."
Su Miao noticed that the date and address were marked in the corner of each photo, as neatly as an account book.
Lao Tian smiled innocently and said: "These are all our living signs. We take pictures of each place after we finish the work. We will only collect the wages when the boss is satisfied.
In the past, when renovating a house, we would just ask relatives and friends for help. But now it is different. The requirements are much higher. If we want to renovate a house beautifully, it is naturally best to leave it to professionals like us.
I'm preparing this for the master to see, so you can know how I'm doing and make your choice!"
The album turned to the last page, and there were a few yellowed clippings stuck on it.
The topmost copy of the Beijing Evening News had curled corners, and the title read, "Old Craftsman Skillfully Restores the Chuihua Gate."
Lao Tian rubbed his hands embarrassedly: "Go to the newspaper office for an interview..."
Su Miao gave a thumbs up and praised, "Foreman Tian, you are very professional!"
If you want to discuss the price, you have to go to the site first to take a look and get an estimate based on the actual situation of the site and the decoration requirements.
Su Miao took out a photo of the Yongcheng main store and showed it to Foreman Tian: "Foreman Tian, we want to decorate it according to this style."
Foreman Tian took the photo, looked at it, and said:
"Oh, this is the southern decoration style. It's not common in Beijing. We helped a Hong Kong boss decorate his storefront before, and it was very similar to this."
"Well, yes, our main store is in Yongcheng, Gui District, and we also want to unify the style of the branches here."
"Okay, no problem. For someone like you who has clear renovation requirements, it's actually easier for us to get started. What we're most afraid of is someone who doesn't even know what they want, and then has to scrap it and start over halfway through."
After deciding on the decoration style, Su Yuanzheng took Foreman Tian and his assistant to measure the site and put forward detailed requirements.
"We are going to break through this wall and connect the two shops together.
The partitions here and the three rooms on the second floor were all preserved. One of the upstairs rooms was used as a staff dormitory, one was used as an office, and the other two were converted into private rooms.
We will renovate this side first, and operate the business as usual over there. After it is completed, we will add a second floor over there.
We have already completed the formalities, and both sides will unify the style mentioned earlier.
The wall between the two backyards was also demolished. The toilet on this side could be repaired and used later, and the other side could be used as a kitchen. This way, the toilet and kitchen would be farther apart, and it would be more hygienic..."
Foreman Tian listened and took notes, then asked his apprentice to measure the width and height in all directions. He would then go back and draw a construction drawing, and only start work after the boss gave his approval.
Su Yuan was squatting on the ground, tapping the water pipe with a screwdriver, making a dull sound.
"This water pipe needs to be replaced. It's all rusted. When the time comes, we'll have to repair a row of faucets and sinks here. We have a lot of laundry to do in our shop every day."
After all the details were communicated, Foreman Tian drew the design the next day.
Also brought over was a quotation sheet, which stated the types, quantities, and prices of the required materials, a three-month construction period, and a fixed price for the entire team.
All the costs add up to more than 8,000 yuan, and we can provide one-stop service.
Because the Xiheyuan was being renovated, Su Miao and his father had learned about the prices of building materials.
The price written by Foreman Tian was very fair, even a little cheaper than if they bought it themselves.
As for whether he can get a lower price during actual purchases, it depends on his relationship with the supplier.
Su Miao is not a petty person. If Foreman Tian can help them get discounts and make a profit from the price difference, that is his ability.
After all, the world is not black and white. The gray color recognized within the industry is also a driving force for production.
She only needs to focus on whether Foreman Tian can complete her requirements on time and with quality.
After calculating the date, three days later, Foreman Tian and his construction team moved in next to "Su Ji".
Su Yuanzheng burned incense and set off a string of firecrackers, praying for good luck in the start of the project according to the tradition of Yongcheng.
The sound attracted many neighbors to watch. They looked at the construction team that was moving building materials in and started a heated discussion.
Aunt Li stood by the roadside with a basket of vegetables, looking in curiously:
"Hey, Boss Su, are you really buying Lao Ma's shop? Are you going to expand your business?"
Su Yuanzheng smiled and replied, "Yes, Aunt Li. There are so many customers coming to eat that we always have to wait for a table.
In order not to interrupt everyone's rest time, we are thinking of expanding the store so that we can seat more customers at the same time."
Aunt Li gave a thumbs-up. "Young people are so bold! But all this trouble must have cost a lot of money, right?"
"Yes, we invested all the money in the family. But it doesn't matter. As long as everyone likes to come to our house for dinner, there is hope." Su Yuanzheng said cautiously.
Foreman Tian was telling the workers to be careful while moving things: "Be careful not to damage the wooden door. This door is made of good materials. It will look good after you oil it."
The neighbors watched him directing the workers, and some whispered:
"This foreman seems reliable, unlike the last time when Old Li's house was renovated, the foreman ran away with the money."
"Yes, when my family saves enough money, we will ask them to help repair it."
"Forget it. With your tiny place and five or six people sleeping in one room, why bother renovating it? You might as well save up the money and buy a house subsidized by your employer."
"No, I won't. That collective housing is built far away. How can it compare to here at the foot of the imperial city? Anyway, I won't go there."
…
Foreman Tian seemed not to hear anything. He just pushed down the brim of his safety helmet, and there was a gleam in his exposed eyes.
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