Basic Handyman Course

Lesson 1 • Reading Labels and Safety Data

Explains product labels, safety data sheets, and hazard symbols for materials used in handyman work. Correct interpretation prevents chemical exposure and misuse.

Lesson 2 • Power Tool Fundamentals

Introduces drills, circular saws, and sanders with emphasis on safe startup and shutdown procedures. Students gain confidence operating corded and cordless tools.

Lesson 3 • Hand Tool Identification and Care

Introduces hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and measuring tools. Proper storage and maintenance extend tool life and prevent injury.

Lesson 4 • Workspace Organisation and Hazard Control

Teaches layout of a safe work area, proper lighting, and clutter control. Hazard identification reduces accidents before work begins.

Lesson 1 • Reading Simple Plans and Diagrams

Explains how to interpret basic floor plans, elevation drawings, and assembly diagrams. Students translate two-dimensional drawings into real-world measurements.

Lesson 2 • Units of Measurement and Conversion

Covers imperial and metric systems as used in construction and home repair. Accurate unit conversion prevents costly sizing errors.

Lesson 3 • Material Estimation and Waste Reduction

Covers calculating quantities of lumber, drywall, tile, and fasteners for a job. Accurate estimates control cost and minimise leftover material.

Lesson 4 • Marking Techniques for Cuts and Layout

Introduces pencils, chalk lines, and scribing tools for accurate layout on wood, drywall, and tile. Precise marks translate directly to clean cuts.

Lesson 1 • Screw Selection and Driving

Teaches wood, drywall, sheet metal, and self-tapping screws with matching bit types. Correct torque and pilot holes prevent stripped heads and split material.

Lesson 2 • Nail Types and Driving Methods

Covers common nail types, sizing conventions, and hand-driving versus pneumatic nailing. Proper nail selection prevents splitting and ensures holding strength.

Lesson 3 • Adhesives, Caulks, and Sealants

Covers construction adhesive, wood glue, epoxy, and caulk for bonding and sealing. Correct surface prep and cure time determine joint strength.

Lesson 4 • Disassembly and Fastener Removal

Teaches safe removal of stripped screws, rusted bolts, and embedded nails without damaging surrounding material. Disassembly skills are essential for repair work.

Lesson 1 • Miter Cuts and Angle Joinery

Introduces miter boxes and compound miter saws for angled cuts in trim and framing. Accurate angle cuts are critical for tight-fitting joints.

Lesson 2 • Shaping and Smoothing Wood

Covers chisels, planes, rasps, and sanders for refining cut edges and fitting joints. Surface preparation directly affects finish quality.

Lesson 3 • Basic Wood Joinery and Assembly

Teaches butt, dado, and rabbet joints for shelving, boxes, and simple frames. Students assemble and square a basic wood structure.

Lesson 4 • Hand Saw Techniques

Covers crosscut, rip, and coping saws with correct grip, stance, and stroke. Hand-saw proficiency supports work in areas where power tools cannot reach.

Lesson 1 • Cutting and Hanging Drywall

Teaches scoring, snapping, and fastening panels to wood and metal framing. Proper fastener spacing and panel orientation prevent sagging and cracking.

Lesson 2 • Drywall Materials and Panel Types

Explains standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-rated drywall panels and their correct applications. Choosing the right panel prevents future moisture and fire hazards.

Lesson 3 • Finishing coats and sanding

Teaches second and finish coats of joint compound with progressive sanding to a smooth surface. Finish level selection matches the final paint or texture application.

Lesson 4 • Patching holes and damaged drywall

Covers California patch, backer board, and pre-made patch kits for holes of various sizes. Students match repair method to hole size and location.

Lesson 1 • Toilet repair and adjustment

Teaches flapper, fill valve, and flush handle replacement along with running-toilet diagnosis. Students restore proper flush volume and stop phantom flushing.

Lesson 2 • Fixing leaky faucets and valves

Covers compression, ball, cartridge, and ceramic-disc faucet repair with correct replacement parts. Stopping drips conserves water and prevents cabinet damage.

Lesson 3 • Plumbing system overview

Explains supply, drain-waste-vent, and fixture systems and how they interconnect. Understanding system layout is prerequisite to safe isolation and repair.

Lesson 4 • Supply line and fixture replacement

Teaches shutoff, disconnection, and installation of braided supply lines, faucets, and showerheads. Proper thread sealing prevents future leaks at connections.

Lesson 1 • Light fixture and ceiling fan installation

Covers mounting bracket selection, wire connections, and fan-rated box requirements. Students safely replace fixtures and install ceiling fans on existing circuits.

Lesson 2 • Outlet and switch replacement

Teaches safe removal and installation of standard, GFCI, and three-way switches and outlets. Correct wire termination prevents arcing and shock hazards.

Lesson 3 • Low-voltage and doorbell systems

Introduces doorbell transformers, thermostats, and low-voltage wiring for common handyman repairs. Low-voltage work carries reduced shock risk but still requires correct wiring.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosing tripped breakers and dead outlets

Teaches systematic troubleshooting of tripped breakers, blown fuses, and downstream GFCI trips. Students restore power safely without bypassing protection devices.

Lesson 1 • Interior paint application

Teaches roller, brush, and cutting-in techniques for walls, ceilings, and trim. Correct application order and tool selection produce even, drip-free coats.

Lesson 2 • Surface preparation for painting

Covers cleaning, sanding, priming, and masking surfaces before paint application. Thorough prep determines adhesion, coverage, and final appearance.

Lesson 3 • Exterior wood and siding repair

Teaches patching rot, replacing damaged siding boards, and sealing exposed wood. Timely repairs prevent structural deterioration from moisture.

Lesson 4 • Gutter cleaning and minor roof maintenance

Covers safe ladder use, gutter debris removal, downspout flushing, and minor shingle repair. Preventive maintenance protects the building envelope from water damage.