Home Remodeling and Repair

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of ten Instruction Sets written to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.

Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

Introduction to Home Remodeling
Career opportunities in home remodeling; licensing, contracting, and necessary equipment.

Instruction Set 2

Home Renovation
Evaluating interior and exterior areas of a house; important items to include in a master plan.

Practical Exercise

Textbook: Renovating Old Houses

Instruction Set 3

Building Materials and Fasteners
Inspecting materials for quality; fastening tools.

Tools and Scaffolds
Common hand tools; safe use of power tools; safe use of scaffolds.

Textbook: Carpentry

Instruction Set 4

Understanding Construction Drawings
Drawings included in a set of plans, common carpentry plan details.

Site Preparation, Building Layout, and Foundations
Materials used to reinforce concrete; solving water infiltration problems; waterproofing and insulating foundation walls.

Textbook: Blueprint Reading and Sketching for Carpenters

Equipment: Mechanical Drawing Kit

Instruction Set 5

Floor, Wall, and Stair Framing
Types of frame construction; exterior wall framing; choosing the right stairway design.

Roof Framing
Constructing gable, gambrel, hip, intersecting, shed and trussed roofs.

DVD: Framing Floors and Stairs

Instruction Set 6

Cornices and Roofing
Constructing cornices; estimating roof materials; repairing a roof leak.

Windows, Doors, and Siding
Installing windows; building and setting door frames; working with siding.

Insulation and Drywall Installation
How insulation works; when and how to insulate; installing and repairing drywall.

Interior Finish
Installing interior doors; installing window and closet trim.

Textbook: Drywall: Professional Techniques for Walls and Ceilings

DVD: Drywall Hanging and Taping

Instruction Set 7

Wiring
Fundamentals of electricity; fixtures; circuit breakers; wiring appliances.

Plumbing and Heating
Plumbing fixtures; cutting and joining pipe; operating principles of heating systems.

Kitchen Cabinets, Appliances, Fixtures, and Design
Constructing durable countertops; understanding how kitchen appliances work.

Bathroom Cabinets, Fixtures, and Design
Planning functional and aesthetic bathrooms; selecting flooring and fixtures; understanding all aspects of home plumbing.

Drawing Plans, Estimates, and Contracts
Drawing schedules; calculating project expenses; major categories that should be included in a bid.

Practical Exercise

Textbooks:
Wiring a House
Plumbing a House
Complete Plumbing
Product Specification Manual

Instruction Set 8

Project: Remodeling a Basement
Identifying tasks and materials; applying sealers; subfloor installation.

Project: Remodeling a Bathroom
Installing water pipes; installing fixtures; installing cabinets and countertops.

Project: Remodeling a Kitchen
Removing old cabinets and countertops; building soffits; installing kitchen cabinets.

Practical Exercise

DVD: Installing Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

Instruction Set 9

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 1
Design; estimate; contracts and permits.

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 2
Foundation layout; excavation; installation; inspection.

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 3
Preparing existing structure; framing, roofing and siding.

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 4
Opening wall; tying in; leveling existing floors and ceilings.

Practical Exercise

DVD:
Framing Walls; Framing Roofs

Instruction Set 10

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 5
Plumbing, heating, and wiring

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 6
Installing insulation and drywall; painting.

Building an Addition with a Kitchen, Part 7
Installing cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, and trim.

The Business of Home Remodeling
Financing your business; obtaining licenses; dealing with subcontractors; advertising.

Practical Exercise

DVD: Tiling Countertops

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.