Home Remodeling and Repair

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of 10 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
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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.
- Video: "Framing Floors and Stairs"
- Learning Aides: speed square, framing squares
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
- Video: Drywall Hanging and Taping
- Learning Aids:
  - Chalk line
  - Utility Knife
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
  - Installing and Repairing Plumbing Fixtures
  - 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
- Video: 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
- Videos:
  - 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
- Video: Tiling Countertops
Graduation Set
(Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met)
- Reciprocating Saw

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.

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