The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: Scooby Doo on February 20, 2013, 03:34:37 PM
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Thought this would be perfect here. You can take FREE DIY classes at certain branches of B&Q. They do the following classes:
Power Tools
Before starting any home improvement, it's important to understand how to use the tools correctly. This course will give you the confidence to correctly use power tools for the courses that we offer.
Basic Tool Course including updating Door Furniture - 3 hours
Before starting any home improvement, it's important to understand how to use the tools correctly. This course will give you the confidence to correctly use the most basic tools for the courses that we offer.
Changing a Tap & Plumbing Faults - 4 hours
Learn about common tap problems that you may come across and how to rectify them. Practice replacing existing taps including isolation valves and learn about the tools required to carry out the job. Understand how to rectify basic plumbing faults and complete the maintenance in your own home.
Removing a Radiator & Installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves - 3 hours
Learn how to remove and replace a radiator in order to decorate behind it. Understand the benefits of Thermostatic Radiator Valves' throughout your home and practice installing them.
Wall Fixings including putting up Shelves & Mirrors - 3 hours
Learn about and practice on how to put up wall fixtures including floating shelves, pictures, curtain poles, bathroom accessory sets and mirrors.
Skirting & Architrave - 3 hours
Practice measuring, cutting and using mitres for skirting boards and architraves. Include going around an alcove to practice internal and external corners.
Laminate Flooring - 4 hours
Practice estimating amount of flooring required and underlay. Practice with the correct tools and methods for laying laminate flooring including going around existing features.
Preparing your Wall, Painting, Glossing Doors & Window Frames - 4 hours
Discussion around the products available to prepare walls for decorating. Practice painting and cutting in and applying emulsion including painting pads, paint pods and different quality brushes. Practice the right techniques to ensure you make your gloss look as professional as possible.
Patch Plastering & introduction to Skimming - 4 hours
Learn how to repair and make good minor damage and surface imperfections to plastered walls.
Hanging & Removing Patterned Wallpaper - 3 hours
Gain the confidence and practice hanging patterned wallpaper and lining the patterns up.
Floor Tiling - 4 hours
Understand how to estimate the amount of tiles needed, practice the correct method for laying floor tiles, the tools required for both laying and grouting of tiles.
Wall Tiling - 4 hours
Understand how to estimate the amount of tiles needed, practice the correct method for laying wall tiles, the tools required for both laying and grouting of tiles.
Save Energy, Save Money - 3 hours
Discussion around the changes you can make in your own home in order to save energy and money.
I've done the patch plastering course (when they still charged £20 for it - and it was well worth that) and I'm booked in to do the door hanging one next week as I have two doors to hang and one to rehang. It's great to get hands on direction, rather than trying to figure it out from books and websites. The plastering one came in handy when I needed to board a bedroom ceiling and plaster the joints.
Not sure if there is a similar thing in North America (Home Depot?), but for UK folks this is well worth trying out.
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Thanks, these look great! Patch plastering and basic plumbing look good, could certainly use those!
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Home Depot in the US does this as well.
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great to know! cheers!
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looks like they do charge but it's free if you're a b&q club member which in turn is free to join. bit sneaky. def worth knowing.
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Ah, that makes sense - I paid £20 for the plastering course, and once in they gave me the details to join for free. You don't get spammed, save for a weekly mail with a money off voucher, which probably still makes it more expensive than Toolstation!
Oddly, when I go back in to check there is no charge, without me having logged in. Perhaps it's stored in a cookie.
It was worth it at £20 incidentally - I certainly didn't feel ripped off!
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Cheers for this, I think I'm going to sign up for the plumbing, plastering and tool classes. However I think I'll join the B&Q club first so that it'l be free?