We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Bill Sharp

During these uncertain economic times it is so important to make sure you are spending your money in a knowledgeable way. If you can find a problem early enough you could make it a small problem rather than a large one. Protecting as many of your assets as possible is Paramount. So take the time to develop a good plan to maintain your home. I know we're not in control of our future but preparation is a critical responsibility.

Read more

During these uncertain economic times it is so important to make sure you are spending your money in a knowledgeable way. If you can find a problem early enough you could make it a small problem rather than a large one. Protecting as many of your assets as possible is Paramount. So take the time to develop a good plan to maintain your home. I know we're not in control of our future but preparation is a critical responsibility.

This course is designed to help you develop a personal and maintenance budget. Every component of your home eventually will wear out. The intent of this course is to help you recognize maintenance items that you can fix before they become a big budget item.

Don't be sideswiped when a major problem occurs. Budgeting is most important. We will give you the necessary tools to do step-by-step. Look at your home and determine what needs to be done. It is important to remember that these reviews should actually be performed four times a year, spring, fall, winter and summer. The inspection sheet that is provided for you and information in the class will help you make sure your home is well maintained and when you're ready to sell there are no surprises.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objective

How to perform regular maintenance inspections to elliminate future costs.

Syllabus

Introduction

Budgeting for maintenance in your home

Checking maintenance items on yard and exterior
Lecture A
Read more
maintenance check for yard and exterior
Continuing maintenance check of yard and exterior
Final check for maintenance of yard and exterior
Final check on maintenance of yard and exterior
Checking maintenance items on these subjects
Exterior
Checking maintenance items
maintenance items on the interior
Checking plumbing, fixtures and appliances
Electrical equipment
Garage
Summary

Save this course

Save Don't Let Little REPAIRS become BIG to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Don't Let Little REPAIRS become BIG with these activities:
Review Basic Home Maintenance Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental home maintenance principles to better grasp the course's practical applications.
Show steps
  • Review online articles and videos on basic home maintenance.
  • Take a short quiz to assess your current knowledge.
Read 'Home Maintenance for Dummies'
Gain a broader understanding of home maintenance principles and techniques to supplement the course material.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Home Maintenance for Dummies'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Create a Home Maintenance Checklist
Develop a personalized home maintenance checklist to proactively identify and address potential issues, aligning with the course's emphasis on preventative measures.
Show steps
  • Inspect your home and identify areas needing maintenance.
  • Create a checklist with tasks and schedule.
  • Prioritize tasks based on urgency and cost.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Plumbing Fixture Checks
Reinforce your ability to identify potential plumbing issues by performing regular checks on fixtures and appliances.
Show steps
  • Inspect faucets, toilets, and pipes for leaks.
  • Check water pressure and drainage.
  • Document any issues and plan for repairs.
Document Your Home Maintenance
Create a video or photo journal documenting your home maintenance efforts, reinforcing your understanding and providing a visual record for future reference.
Show steps
  • Choose a format for your documentation (video, photos, etc.).
  • Document each maintenance task you perform.
  • Add descriptions and notes to your documentation.
Read 'Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Home Repair'
Expand your knowledge of home repair techniques and gain a deeper understanding of the practical aspects of home maintenance.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Home Repair'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to your home's needs.
  • Practice some of the techniques described in the book.
Volunteer for a Home Repair Project
Gain hands-on experience in home repair by volunteering for a local organization, solidifying your skills and contributing to your community.
Show steps
  • Find a local organization that offers home repair services.
  • Volunteer your time and skills to assist with repairs.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Don't Let Little REPAIRS become BIG will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Building Maintenance Technician
Building maintenance technicians are responsible for the general upkeep and repair of buildings. This course helps building maintenance technicians understand the importance of regular maintenance inspections. The course's emphasis on identifying and addressing maintenance issues before they become major problems helps technicians prevent costly repairs and ensure building functionality. With budgeting techniques, a technician is more prepared to handle their responsibilities. This knowledge is valuable for any building maintenance technician.
Facilities Coordinator
Facilities coordinators assist in the management of facilities. This course helps facilities coordinators develop a systematic approach to property maintenance for business offices and commercial spaces. The course's focus on identifying and addressing maintenance items before they become major problems aligns perfectly with the coordinator's goal of preventing costly repairs and maintaining operational efficiency. The budget preparations are integral to this role. By using the inspection checklists provided in the course, facilities coordinators enhance their ability to proactively manage their facilities.
Facilities Manager
A facilities manager is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of buildings and grounds. This role involves overseeing repairs, managing budgets, and ensuring the safety and functionality of facilities. This course helps facilities managers develop a systematic approach to property maintenance and budgeting, which are essential for their role. The course's focus on identifying and addressing maintenance items before they become major problems aligns perfectly with the facilities manager's goal of preventing costly repairs and maintaining operational efficiency. By using the inspection checklists provided in the course, facilities managers enhance their ability to proactively manage their facilities.
Home Improvement Contractor
Home improvement contractors specialize in renovating, repairing, and remodeling homes. This course helps home improvement contractors gain a stronger understanding of routine home maintenance. With a focus on budgeting and preventive maintenance, the contractor can more effectively assess the scope and cost of projects. The inspection checklists in the course may be useful in identifying potential issues during the planning phase. The contractor is better equipped to provide accurate estimates and complete projects efficiently.
Home Inspector
A home inspector examines residential properties to assess their condition. This role involves identifying potential problems and ensuring that a home is safe and structurally sound. The home inspector produces detailed reports for clients, often prospective buyers or sellers. This course helps develop a proactive approach to home maintenance, which strengthens your knowledge of home systems and components. This foundational knowledge allows a home inspector to spot issues early on, mirroring the course's emphasis on preventing small repairs from becoming large problems. The course's maintenance checklists and budgeting tools provide a head start in understanding the financial aspects of homeownership.
Public Housing Manager
Public housing managers oversee the operations and maintenance of government-owned housing facilities. Their main tasks include ensuring properties are safe, clean, and well-maintained for residents. This course helps public housing managers develop the proactive planning skills to handle housing maintenance. By following the course's guidelines on budgeting, the housing manager is able to keep the housing in good condition. The emphasis on seasonal inspections helps managers be aware of the condition of housing and plan for maintenance.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties. They must have a strong understanding of the housing market and property values. This course helps real estate agents advise clients on property maintenance and potential future costs. By understanding the importance of regular inspections and budgeting for repairs, they can better serve their clients' needs. The course's focus on identifying maintenance items helps agents inform prospective buyers about the property's condition and potential issues. This knowledge builds trust with clients and enhances the agent's credibility. A real estate agent who has taken this course gains an advantage in understanding the long-term costs associated with homeownership.
Property Manager
Property managers oversee the day-to-day operations of residential or commercial properties. They are responsible for maintaining the property's value and ensuring tenant satisfaction. This course helps build a proactive approach to home maintenance and budgeting, which are directly applicable to managing properties effectively. The maintenance checklists and the course's emphasis on seasonal inspections will be valuable in ensuring that properties under your management are well-maintained. These skills help property managers in preventing costly repairs and maintaining the property's appeal to tenants. This course may be useful in equipping individuals with the knowledge necessary to identify and address maintenance issues proactively.
Energy Auditor
Energy auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and recommend improvements to reduce energy consumption. This course helps energy auditors develop a broader understanding of how building maintenance impacts energy efficiency. The course's focus on identifying and addressing maintenance issues before they become major problems supports the auditor's goal of optimizing building performance and lowering energy costs. The budgeting aspect of the course helps energy auditors communicate the financial benefits of regular maintenance to their clients. An energy auditor with an understanding of this course will be better positioned to provide comprehensive recommendations.
Resident Manager
Resident managers oversee the day-to-day operations of apartment buildings. They are responsible for tenant relations, property maintenance, and ensuring resident satisfaction. This course helps resident managers develop a proactive approach to home maintenance and budgeting. The courses checklist and the course's emphasis on seasonal inspections will come in handy. These skills help in preventing costly repairs and maintaining the property's appeal to residents. This course may be useful in equipping individuals with the knowledge necessary to identify and address maintenance issues proactively.
Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters investigate insurance claims to determine the extent of the insurance company's liability. This course may be useful in equipping insurance adjusters with the knowledge to assess property damage claims more effectively. By understanding the importance of regular maintenance and budgeting for repairs, an insurance adjuster can gain insights into the cause and extent of damage, as well as any preventative measures that could have been taken. The course's checklist and seasonal inspection strategies can assist insurance adjusters in determining the validity and value of claims.
Construction Estimator
Construction estimators prepare cost estimates for construction projects. They analyze project plans and specifications to determine the materials, labor, and equipment required. This course may be useful in providing a foundational understanding of the maintenance and repair aspects of residential properties, thereby enhancing your ability to accurately estimate costs associated with renovation or repair projects. The course's emphasis on budgeting and identifying potential maintenance issues helps an estimator in anticipating future repair needs and including those costs in their estimates. This course may assist construction estimators in understanding the life cycle costs of various building components.
Property Appraiser
Property appraisers estimate the value of real estate for various purposes, such as sales, mortgages, and insurance. This course may be useful in providing a more informed perspective on the condition and maintenance of properties being appraised. The course's emphasis on identifying maintenance issues and understanding their potential impact may allow you to make more accurate valuations, considering factors that could affect the property's long-term value. The budgeting tools discussed in this course are helpful for understanding the financial aspects of homeownership and how they relate to property value.
Sustainability Consultant
A sustainability consultant advises organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability practices. This course may be useful in helping consultants understand the importance of proper building maintenance in reducing energy consumption and waste. The course's techniques for identifying and addressing maintenance issues before they become major problems may be useful in helping improve the sustainability of homes. The course's emphasis on budgeting and planning aligns with the consultant's role of helping organizations implement cost-effective sustainability initiatives.
Construction Manager
Construction managers plan, direct, and coordinate construction projects. This course helps construction managers understand the importance of proper home maintenance. With the course's emphasis on budgeting and preventive maintenance, they can better manage costs and prevent delays on the job site. The inspection checklists provided in the course make you more proactive with your construction duties. This course may improve a construction manager's ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Don't Let Little REPAIRS become BIG.
Comprehensive guide to home repair, covering a wide range of topics from basic plumbing and electrical work to carpentry and painting. It's a valuable resource for expanding your knowledge of home repair techniques beyond the scope of the course. It serves as a useful reference guide for DIY homeowners. It can be used as a textbook for those new to home repair.
Provides a comprehensive overview of home maintenance tasks, from basic repairs to preventative measures. It's a valuable resource for understanding the 'why' behind the maintenance tasks discussed in the course. It serves as a useful reference guide for DIY homeowners. It can be used as a textbook for those new to home maintenance.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser