Addressing Unexpected Issues

处理意外问题

Communicating with the contractor about unforeseen problems that arise during the renovation, such as structural issues, plumbing leaks, or electrical problems, and discussing solutions and cost implications.

就装修期间出现的意外问题与承包商沟通，例如结构问题、管道泄漏或电气问题，并讨论解决方案和成本影响。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Contractor (Male)

Good morning, Ms. Chen. I wanted to give you an update. We ran into a bit of an issue while opening up the wall in the kitchen.

早上好，陈女士。我来向您汇报一下。我们在打通厨房墙壁的时候遇到了一点问题。" admixture"

Homeowner (Female)

Oh, really? What kind of issue? Is it something serious?

哦，是吗？什么问题？严重吗？

Contractor (Male)

Well, it turns out there's some unexpected old plumbing behind the drywall that's actively dripping. It looks like it's been leaking for a while, and it's caused some dampness.

嗯，原来石膏板后面有一些意想不到的老旧管道，正在滴水。看起来漏水已经有一段时间了，导致了一些潮湿。

Homeowner (Female)

Leaking? Oh dear. So what are our options? Can it be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?

漏水？天哪。那我们有什么选择？能修好还是需要更换？

Contractor (Male)

We've assessed it. Given the age and condition of the pipes, a full replacement of that section is definitely the most reliable long-term solution. A patch might not hold, and we don't want future problems.

我们已经评估过了。考虑到管道的年限和状况，彻底更换这部分是长期来看最可靠的解决方案。修补可能不牢靠，我们也不希望未来出现问题。

Homeowner (Female)

I understand. And what does that mean for the timeline and the budget? Will this cause a significant delay or extra cost?

我明白了。那对工期和预算意味着什么呢？会造成很大的延误或额外费用吗？

Contractor (Male)

I've already done some quick calculations. We'd need an additional day for the plumbing work, and the materials and labor for that section would add roughly an extra $800 to the total. I can give you a more precise quote if you agree to proceed.

我 D 已经做了一些快速计算。管道工程需要额外一天时间，这部分的材料和人工费用会增加大约800美元。如果您同意继续，我可以给您一个更精确的报价。

Homeowner (Female)

An extra $800... that's unexpected, but I suppose it's better to address it now than later. Please proceed with the replacement. And keep me updated if anything else comes up.

额外800美元……这是意料之外的，但我想总比以后再处理好。请继续进行更换。如果有其他情况，请随时通知我。

Contractor (Male)

Will do, Ms. Chen. We'll get on it right away and keep you in the loop. Thanks for your understanding.

好的，陈女士。我们会立刻着手处理，并及时向您汇报。感谢您的理解。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

update

An update is new information about progress or changes in a project. Use it when sharing the latest news, like 'I'll give you an update on the work.'

更新是指项目进展或变更的新信息。在分享最新消息时使用，例如“我会给你工作进度的更新。”

issue

An issue means a problem or difficulty. In conversations about work or repairs, say 'We ran into an issue' to politely describe a challenge.

Issue 意思是一个问题或困难。在关于工作或修理的对话中，说“我们遇到了一个问题”来礼貌地描述一个挑战。

unexpected

Unexpected means something that happens without warning or planning. It's useful for surprises, like 'an unexpected problem' in daily discussions.

“意外的”意味着没有警告或计划发生的事情。它在日常讨论中用于惊喜，比如“一个意外的问题”。

plumbing

Plumbing refers to the pipes and systems for water in a building. Mention it when talking about home repairs, such as 'We need to fix the plumbing.'

管道指的是建筑物中供水管道和系统。在谈论家居维修时提到它，例如 'We need to fix the plumbing.'

leaking

Leaking means liquid escaping through a hole or crack. Use it for problems like water pipes, e.g., 'The roof is leaking.'

泄漏是指液体通过孔洞或裂缝逃逸。用于水管等问题，例如，'屋顶在漏水。'

dampness

Dampness is slight wetness or moisture in the air or materials. It's common in home contexts, like 'There's dampness on the wall from the leak.'

潮湿是指空气或材料中轻微的湿润或水分。它在家庭环境中很常见，例如“墙上有潮湿，因为漏水。”

replacement

Replacement means putting in a new item instead of the old one. Say 'full replacement' when something is too damaged to repair, like old pipes.

替换意味着用新物品代替旧物品。当某物损坏得无法修复时，比如旧管道，说'完全替换'。

timeline

A timeline is a schedule or plan for when things will happen. Ask about it in projects: 'What does this mean for the timeline?'

时间线是事情何时发生的时间表或计划。在项目中询问它：'这对时间线有什么影响？'

budget

Budget is the amount of money planned for something. Discuss it for costs: 'This will affect the budget.'

预算是为某事计划的金额。对于成本讨论：「这将影响预算。」

proceed

To proceed means to continue with an action or plan. Use it formally: 'Please proceed with the work.'

进行意味着继续一个行动或计划。正式使用：'请继续进行工作。'

in the loop

In the loop means keeping someone informed about developments. It's an idiom: 'Keep me in the loop' for ongoing updates.

In the loop 意思是让某人了解发展情况。这是习语：'Keep me in the loop' 用于持续更新。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

We ran into a bit of an issue while opening up the wall in the kitchen.

This sentence uses 'ran into' as an idiom for unexpectedly encountering a problem. It's useful for politely introducing bad news in professional talks; the structure 'ran into + a + issue' is common for intermediate learners to describe surprises.

这个句子使用 'ran into' 作为意外遇到问题的习语。它在专业对话中礼貌地引入坏消息时很有用；'ran into + a + issue' 的结构对于中间学习者描述惊喜很常见。

What kind of issue? Is it something serious?

This is a direct way to ask for details about a problem. Use short questions like this to seek clarification; 'What kind of' specifies type, and 'something serious' shows concern, helpful in conversations about potential worries.

这是直接询问问题细节的方法。使用像这样的简短问题来寻求澄清；'What kind of' 指定类型，'something serious' 显示关切，在关于潜在担忧的对话中很有帮助。

It turns out there's some unexpected old plumbing behind the drywall that's actively dripping.

'It turns out' introduces surprising information. This sentence demonstrates relative clauses ('that's actively dripping') to describe; useful for explaining discoveries in reports or updates during home projects.

‘It turns out’ 用于引入令人惊讶的信息。这个句子展示了关系从句（‘that's actively dripping’）用于描述；有助于在家庭项目中的报告或更新中解释发现。

So what are our options? Can it be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?

This asks for choices using 'or' for alternatives. The passive 'be repaired' and 'be replaced' is common in advice-seeking; practice this pattern when discussing solutions to problems.

这是在使用 'or' 来询问选择。被动语态 'be repaired' 和 'be replaced' 在寻求建议时很常见；在讨论问题解决方案时练习这个模式。

Given the age and condition of the pipes, a full replacement of that section is definitely the most reliable long-term solution.

'Given' means 'considering' and starts reasons. This shows comparative structures ('most reliable'); use it to recommend options based on facts, ideal for professional discussions on durability.

“Given”意思是“considering”并开始理由。这显示了比较结构（“most reliable”）；用它基于事实推荐选项，适合关于耐久性的专业讨论。

And what does that mean for the timeline and the budget?

This questions impacts using 'what does that mean for + noun'. It's practical for negotiating changes in plans; teaches how to link actions to consequences like time and money.

这个问题影响使用 'what does that mean for + 名词'。它在谈判计划变更时很实用；教导如何将行动与时间和金钱等后果联系起来。

Will this cause a significant delay or extra cost?

Uses 'or' for alternatives and adjectives like 'significant' for emphasis. Ask this when concerned about project overruns; highlights future implications with 'will + verb'.

使用 'or' 表示备选方案，并使用如 'significant' 这样的形容词来强调。在担心项目超支时询问；用 'will + verb' 突出未来的影响。

Please proceed with the replacement. And keep me updated if anything else comes up.

'Proceed with' means go ahead, and 'if anything else comes up' handles future issues. This is a polite approval sentence; useful for giving permission and requesting ongoing communication.

‘Proceed with’ 意思是继续进行，‘if anything else comes up’ 处理未来的问题。这是一个礼貌的批准句子；用于给予许可并请求持续沟通很有用。"

We'll get on it right away and keep you in the loop.

'Get on it' is informal for starting work immediately, and 'keep you in the loop' means inform regularly. This reassures and promises updates; great idiom for service interactions.

'Get on it' 是非正式说法，表示立即开始工作；'keep you in the loop' 意思是定期告知。这能给人安心感，并承诺提供更新；是服务互动中很棒的习语。