If you must dabble in SMD, best way without spending too much is by using a good heat gun and precision tweezers. Add good amount of flux on top of solder and let the component slide to place while you heat the area up.

Of course need good control of heat otherwise risk damaging the entire thing without even knowing

For real they employ total newbie? Are they that charitable? If the technician total loss the device when it should be repairable, then how?