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Program Goal and Outcomes
Program Goal: To prepare students for an entry-level career at the apprentice level in the residential construction and remodeling field.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Discuss licensing requirements, local building codes, and the need for inspections
- Draw and follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients
- Understand procedures for installing structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding
- Understand procedures for measuring, cutting, and shaping wood, plastic, and other materials
- Understand procedures for constructing building frameworks, including walls, floors, and doorframes
- Describe methods for waterproofing and insulating old foundation walls
- Discuss how to inspect and replace damaged framework or other structures and fixtures
- Understand some of the potential problems unique to older homes
- Identify different grades and sizes of lumber, engineered lumber products, and commonly used fasteners
- Understand safe practices for using ladders, ladder jacks, trestles, horses, and power tools
- Describe the components of the main electrical panel and calculate the placement of outlets in a room
- Understand the principal plumbing considerations in remodeling old houses and the operating principles of various heating systems
- Discuss the main considerations that go into designing a functional kitchen, especially the work triangle
- Identify the most common considerations for remodeling a bathroom, including the importance of proper venting and common types of lighting, fixtures, and floor coverings
Instruction Set 1
Starting Your Program
Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. Understand how to use your Student Portal. Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers. Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
Orientation to Home Remodeling
Home remodelers are specialists who update and remodel existing structures. This course will introduce you to the various roles home remodelers play in the upkeep of old structures. The constant need of improving and updating houses not only helps buildings stay in shape, but also keeps enough job opportunities in the market.
This industry looks for professionals who have sufficient knowledge in this field, and this course will help you in getting that knowledge.
Objectives:
- Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
- Analyze the various elements and roles associated with the structure of the home remodeling industry
Instruction Set 2
Evaluating Houses
As a home remodeler, you’ll probably be called upon to give prospective buyers an objective evaluation of an older home. Consequently, you’ll need to understand some of the potential problems unique to older homes, which must be identified and addressed to help your customer make an educated decision on purchasing a particular house.
You’ll also need to know how to work with a customer to define, identify, and establish work and task priorities. Finally, you must have a firm grasp of the steps necessary to design and implement a master plan that’s essential for the successful completion of the project.
Objectives:
- Categorize the roles, plannings, and evaluation processes revolving around the remodeling industry
- Apply home remodeling skills to a series of activities
Textbook: Renovating Old Houses
Instruction Set 3
Building Materials, Tools, and Scaffolds
The timber industry caters to the various fields of the construction industry. These areas need various building materials, fasteners, tools, scaffolds, and ladders. You’ll learn about the history of various kinds of lumber, the categories of tools used by carpenters, and the types of ladders and scaffolds used to eliminate the probable complexity of the construction. There are many safety measures you must follow while working. All these intricacies will help you understand the industry better and complete the different tasks with less labor, cost-effectiveness, and extreme accuracy.
Objectives:
- Categorize the uses and types of building materials and fasteners
- Point out the uses and types of hand tools, power tools, ladders, and scaffolds
Textbook: Carpentry and Building Construction
Instruction Set 4
Site Preparation, Building Layout, and Foundations
In this course you’ll learn how to read and interpret building plans, construction drawings, and plans for heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. You’ll also focus on techniques and considerations for laying a foundation. Topics include site preparation, concrete reinforcement, water proofing, and insulation.
Objectives:
- Analyze the various industrial blueprint standards, layouts, symbols, codes, and importance of business environment
- Explain how to plan and form a solid building foundation
Textbook: Blueprint Reading: Construction Drawings for Building Trades
Instruction Set 5
Framing
In this course you'll learn about how well-constructed framing contributes to the integrity of a house. The course includes an exploration of the framing styles and structures used in older and modern homes. You’ll have a chance to understand the techniques of layout and construction of different types of frames, roof styles, and roofing systems.
The characteristics and problems related to frames in older homes can be numerous and studying about them will help you in your career as a home remodeler. There are suggested activities that you can complete as part of your program that will help you understand the various intricacies related to framing.
Objectives:
- Analyze the various framing systems used in floors and walls
- Point out the several processes of framing stairways and repairing of older house frames
- Categorize the processes required in various types roof framing as well as roof sheathing
Instruction Set 6
Roofing and Finishing
In recent years, the remodeling and construction industry has witnessed an explosion of various new technologies. You’ll learn about how certain factors need to be considered when building or repairing a roof. Topics include necessary materials, their functions, and types of cornices, gutters, and downspouts. You’ll learn how to install siding, drywall, doors, windows, and insulation. This course will also take you on a journey of a variety of interior finishing techniques.
Objectives:
- Identify the different types of roofing materials used in repairing and reroofing older houses
- Distinguish between the different ways of installing windows, doors, and sidings
- Categorize the methods of insulation and ventilation, as well as the installation of drywalls
- Analyze the components of interior doors, frames, trims, and stairs with their installation process
Textbook: Drywall
Instruction Set 7
Plumbing and Heating
The home remodeling industry takes care of everything. Plumbing and wiring are the two most important parts of a remodeling project. This course will teach you about the various types of wiring systems and the plumbing methods associated with kitchens and bathrooms. As a remodeler you must know the differences in the specifications related to kitchens and bathrooms. A proper conversation with the client is essential, because the customer can’t pay for your mistakes. The fixtures must cater to the purpose for which they’re installed. Quality checks are needed to maintain standards. Knowledge of all these things will make you more efficient as a home remodeler.
Objectives:
- Analyze the tools and installation methods used in various wiring systems
- Distinguish the scope of plumbing work required in bathrooms, kitchens, and home heating systems
- Analyze the intricacies in designing layouts, kitchen spaces, cabinets, and other components of a kitchen
- Categorize the various considerations required for planning bathroom cabinets, fixtures, and designs
- Point out the various considerations of drawing plans, estimates, and contracts
- Complete activities based on the skills you've learned in this course
Textbooks:
- Wiring a House
- The Complete Guide to Plumbing
Instruction Set 8
Remodeling Basements, Bathrooms, and Kitchens
In this course, you’ll study scenarios related to remodeling. You’ll evaluate Mr. Smith’s basement, identify potential problem areas, and draw a plan. After identifying all of the tasks and materials needed to remodel his basement, you’ll compile a comprehensive estimate of the project’s cost.
You’ll learn how to remove the existing bath fixtures, the existing floor, and the wall between the bath and the bedroom. You’ll be introduced to many new remodeling techniques, and review some skills with which you’re already familiar.
You’ll be introduced to the Johnsons, who would like to remodel the kitchen of their 35-year-old townhouse. You’ll accomplish several new tasks, such as building and installing laminate countertops, installing kitchen cabinets, and framing and installing a sliding glass door. In addition, you’ll learn how to build soffits over the kitchen cabinets to house recessed lighting fixtures, as well as how to install a cement board subfloor.
Objectives:
- Distinguish the various intricacies involved in renovating a basement
- Identify the various phases and components required for remodeling of a bathroom
- Categorize the various phases and components required for a kitchen remodeling
- Apply the skills you've learned in renovating basements, bathrooms, and kitchens to real-world applications
Instruction Set 9
Building an Addition with a Kitchen
This course begins with the initial customer interview and a house evaluation, and then moves on to cover such topics as foundation layout and excavation, framing, tying in the addition, and inspections. In addition to building techniques, you’ll also explore problems unique to the remodeling industry.
You’ll learn about the various intricacies involved with home remodeling by contractors and home remodelers. As the remodeling contractor, you’re responsible for ensuring that all phases of the addition are built according to specifications, including the foundation.
You’ll frame the floor and then proceed to open up the back wall of the house and install a support beam. With the beam in place, the remainder of the framing can be completed.
You’ll learn one method of leveling and tying the existing ceiling and floor joists into the new addition.
Objectives:
- Analyze the steps associated with projects before commencement
- Identify the methods of site layout, excavation, and block laying
- Categorize the processes related to floor, wall, and roof framing
- Point out the leveling methods related to ceiling, floor, and support beam
- Apply the skills you’ve learned in planning and building a kitchen addition
Instruction Set 10
Finishing a Kitchen Addition
This course completes the kitchen addition project begun in the previous course. The course has detailed descriptions of various methods used in installing tiles, countertops, kitchen islands, and so on. There are videos for reference that will be great for budding home remodelers. To pursue the remodeling business you need a lot of skills and knowledge.
The techniques of installing various fixtures, appliances, and fittings are elaborated in the lessons. The course also explores various domains of the remodeling business.
Objectives:
- Analyze the various working systems and installation methods associated with home remodeling
- Distinguish between the methods of insulating, drywalling, and painting associated with home remodeling
- Categorize the installation processes for cabinets, the island, ceramic tile countertops, and tile floor
- Identify the fundamentals of remodeling businesses and the methods of managing one
- Apply home remodeling skills to a series of activities
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