DIY IN A DAY SERIES

DAY ONE – Drills: 10am – 5pm

A perfect starter for all those annoying jobs around the house that you feel you should be able to tackle…if only you knew how. We know it’s frustrating to wait for it to be done and then get charged for it and we understand it can be a bit daunting to head into a wall with a power drill.

Pick up the skills to hang curtains, blinds and simple shelves on any wall. Learn to drill into wood, brick ,tiles or hollow walls with confidence. We will show you how to judge what is behind the walls before you drill.

An enjoyable ‘hands on’ one day workshop that covers many of the common aspects of basic DIY.  There is plenty of time to practice on several exercises over the day.

The workshop also covers hanging pictures and heavier objects like mirrors, cupboards and flat screen TVs. You will learn how hang a hook, fix a baton and then a pair of level shelf brackets.

Finish off the day learning how to fit shelves into awkward alcoves – a handy skill you can use to fit work surfaces too.

Learn how to select the correct drill bit, wall fixing and screw to secure things confidently. The day will also include a chance to fill small and medium holes in wood and walls to prepare your surfaces for painting.

Along the way, we show you how to remove old wall fixings and what to do with the ones you can’t.

This a fun fast day with plenty of tools to try and lots of advice on which tools to have in a basic toolkit. If you are thinking of upgrading your drill, you can test all of the ones we use and feel more knowledgeable of what you want to buy.

This course is especially suitable if you are not handy or if you are able, but not that confident, about tackling small but important tasks in your home. We will also suggest how to tell if a task is appropriate for DIY or GSI (Get Someone In).

DAY  TWO – Basic Electrics: 10am – 5pm

A  one day introductory workshop to help learn the first principles of DIY electrics in the home.

This short home electrics workshop covers the most common requests that homeowners, landlords and tenants want to know more about in their homes. Explained in simple terminology, and with practice on fiddly -but unplugged in – electrical fittings, learners can leave feeling less wary about this familiar but invisible energy and confident about safely tackling the essential electrics at home, without requiring any ‘Part P’ certification.

First principles are explained in a clear and simple way, without complicated formulas or equations.

Learn how to assemble a simple lighting circuit with an inline switch, using inexpensive hand tools. This forms the basis of understanding how the wiring behind your switch plates and ceiling roses fit together. 

See how to test and avoid faulty wiring when performing simple repairs at home. Look under the ‘bonnet’ of your consumer unit (Fuse box) and understand what it’s connected to and how to turn the supply off and on.

Understand the basic wiring system in your home. 

Practice changing switches to dimmers, look behind socket plates and understand how to change ceiling pendants.

Stay safe in your home by finding out what you can and can’t do yourself without any certification. 

DAY THREE – Plumbing 10am – 5pm 

Learn how to tackle some basic plumbing tasks around the home in this practical, hands-on workshop.
During this one day workshop, our experienced tutor will walk you through some ‘dry’ exercises to top up your skills in the ‘wet arts’ of your home.

Plumbing = Water in and water out. There will be plenty of time to learn how to isolate water supply, fix a leaky tap, rescue something from a U bend and unclog a blocked sink. All the basic essentials that you need to be able to do yourself.

Learn the principles of replacing a tap, if the replacement washer didn’t do the trick, or if you are just a fashionista that wants the latest design. Get the know how of how to fit a washing machine and a dishwasher to the ‘loo’, where you will learn how to replace any non-working part in your cistern.

Warm up your knowledge of your heating system – how it works and how and when to bleed a radiator or adjust the pressure on your boiler.

You will also practice how to remove and replace silicone sealant around the bath and shower. So you can go home and give our bathroom a mini-makeover, without spending a fortune.

All of our courses take place in a safe environment. There is no use of blow torch or welding equipment and no running water systems. Every exercise is done on dry disconnected examples but with enough detail to add confidence to any learner.

Leave with the confidence to tackle some basic plumbing jobs around the house and gain some independence.

DAY FOUR – Prepare & Paint: 10am – 5pm

Learn to decorate in one day. All set to decorate one room… or perhaps your entire home? Brush up your decorating techniques by messing up our workshop, instead of your living room!
Painting a room is a great way to transform your home interior, without it costing the earth. But it can be a daunting task and everyone wants to have that professional looking finish. What’s the secret to decorating success? Preparation and practice.

Our Prepare & Paint workshop is a very practical class. From clearing the space to cleaning up brushes, we will take you methodically through the whole process.

We will guide you through the importance and process of preparation: How to fill gaps and blemishes to make the surfaces smooth and ready for paint.

You will practice using different tools and materials, experiment with different qualities of brushes and finally learn how to apply paint to where you want and not all over yourself.

In the morning, each student will have a panel of ‘wall’ and woodwork to work on. You will learn how to select the correct tools and materials and prepare a room for painting, from cleaning the paintwork to filling small and large holes in the walls and woodwork.

Learn what materials to use and how to apply the filler and how to sand the surfaces in preparation for painting. We will even show you how to prepare areas that have been damaged by water stains, flaky plaster and lost areas of wood.

In the afternoon, you will learn how select the correct paint and judge the correct situation to use primer and undercoat and how  to paint ceilings, walls and woodwork.Get to grips with how to paint edge lines that are crisp and sharp.

Delight in painting without drips or masking tape and learn how to select and care for a paintbrush. We will even  show you how to clean a brush and a roller so that they will give you years of service.

Brush up your decorating techniques by practising under the guidance of an experienced decorator, who can answer your decorating problem

DAY FIVE – Basic Tiling: 10am – 12.30pm 

Not quite sure where to start with a tiling project? Bit daunted by the thought of tiles falling off the wall if you do get them on? What about those half tiles at the corners… and cutting a curved shape?

If the idea of tackling a tiling project yourself is terrifying, yet you yearn for the skills to have a go, then this morning workshop is just for you.

In this hands-on practical workshop,we will guide you through choosing appropriate tiles for the job, sizing up, planning out and preparing the surface.

You will use the correct adhesive to tile a small area and learn how to grout in between the tiles to ensure a watertight finish.

You will also practice cutting straight lines and curves. Come and break our tiles instead of yours while you practice.

Bring photos of problem areas and leave with expert advice and confidence to help you complete your very own project at home.

Afternoon 2pm – 4.30pm 

In the afternoon you have the opportunity ask about your individual projects and a basic intro to the uses of a circular saw and Q & A session.

The use of all personal protection, tools and materials are included.

We have a handy link here if you want to purchase any of the DIY tools we refer to in our workshops.

General Information

You will receive a courtesy reminder by email 1-2 days before the workshop/course begins.

Refreshments

Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you or visit a nearby venue to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access or special needs, please contact us confidentially in advance by email info@thegoodlifecentre.co.uk. There is a small step to the entrance, and the toilet is on the ground floor.

All sewing workshops and occasionally lampshade making, tassel making and bookbinding workshops are located on the second floor. There is no lift access.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, The Goodlife Centre reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions

View our Terms and Conditions here.