I'm looking for some help with the bandit town that needs to be repaired. I've given the guy all the bricks and repair tools, but nothing in the town has changed. Am I missing something, or do I need to do more quests for the townsfolk?
(As a side note, I had edited in all the items needed for repair because I wasn't about to spend hours grinding that all out.)
Yes, you have to complete all quests given by various townsfolk there. Most, if not all of them, are food related and require things from the bazaar town. Once you complete all of them, walk out of town and go back. All buildings will be restored and the town will have a new soundtrack.
Related to your side note, there should be no excessive grinding involved since once you trigger the quest the crates next to the house can be looted for enough 'shale' material items to create the required quest items.