Dauphin County
Technical School

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Property Essentials

Course Overview

Property Essentials 200-hour, part-time 2-days per week), evening course includes classroom and hands-on training for the person wanting to develop some basic, handy, DIY skills. Online training access is incorporated to provide learning flexibility to participants with busy schedules and help assess participant’s knowledge and understanding.

Participants cover many of the basic skills for property maintenance and management. Property Essentials include an understanding of hand and power tool usage and safety to support common tasks performed on the interior and exterior of a property. Participants will learn basic framing, drywalling, grouting, painting, tiling, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Participants will gain an understanding and learn to troubleshoot some common property issues as well as learn maintenance and minor repairs for small engine equipment like lawn mowers and outdoor equipment.

No construction experience is required for this course. This course is perfect for property owners or individual interested in a property maintenance positions.

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Course Info

  • September 29, 2025 – May 18, 2026
  • Monday & Wednesday evenings 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    • Except, 10/13, 11/10, 11/26, 12/1, 12/22, 12/24, 12/29, 12/31, 1/19, 2/16, 3/16, 4/6, 4/20
  • Certificates of Completion are issued to participants completing a minimum of 80% of the course.

Carpentry 1 (9/29/25 – 10/29/25)

  • Hand & Power Tool Usage and Safety
  • Circular saws, drills, impact drivers, nail guns, miter saws and more
  • Framing Construction (walls, windows, floors, and doors)

Plumbing (11/3/25 – 12/10/25)

  • Water Supply Lines
  • Copper, PEX, CPVC and connections between them
  • Soldering copper tubing
  • PVC/CPVC gluing
  • Drain, waste, vent systems of a residence and how they work
  • How to cut, fit, and install PVC
  • Set, troubleshoot, and repair toilets
  • Install bathroom and kitchen sinks and faucets
  • Connect, clean, and repair traps
  • Toilet repair

HVAC Systems (12/15/25 – 1/28/26)

  • HVAC system identification
  • Specialty tools
  • Refrigeration Certification overview
  • Residential HVAC construction
  • Duct work basics
  • HVAC piping 101
  • Natural and propane gas furnace overview
  • Heat pump and air conditioning overview
  • Thermostats and indoor air quality

Electrical Construction (2/2/26 – 3/4/26)

  • Safety
  • Understanding electricity in your home
  • Basic household circuits, switches, fixtures, and receptacles
  • Interconnected smoke detectors
  • 120/240 volt dryer and range receptacles
  • Use of testing equipment such as multimeter
  • Installation of single and double pole circuit breakers.
  • Trouble shooting

Carpentry 2 (3/9/26 – 4/13/26)

  • Drywall, Finishing
  • Flooring types
  • Tiling basics
  • Interior/Exterior Painting
  • Basic repairs

Small Engine Repairs (5/4/26 – 5/18/26)

  • Equipment types
  • Batteries, spark plugs, valve adjustments, and more
  • Repair and tune-up of gasoline, four stroke and two stroke engines
  • Theory and repair of fuel systems (carburetors), compression (valves and valve seats), ignition systems and starting systems

Essentials Certificate & Awards Presentations (5/20/26)

  • Cost: $5,000 ($1,000 deposit due upon application to hold a spot)
  • Tuition covers instructor wages, processing fees, state exams, and supplies. Does not include textbooks. Textbooks will be loaned out during the duration of the class. Any unreturned textbooks will be invoiced to the participant for $350.
  • Tuition must be paid in full before the start of the course. Consider a payment plan by opening a 0% interest for 18 months credit card with Mid Penn Bank. Learn More 
  • Applicants may also qualify for financial support at CareerLink.com and search for us under training providers on the Career Link website.
  • You can also contact Kimberly Marshall, Training Specialist, for Dauphin County Resident Whole Home Repair Grant before 9/19/25
  • Registration and fee deadline is one week prior to the first class.
  • Individuals are not considered registered with DCTS until payment is made and a completed application, as well as a copy of your current driver’s license, is submitted to the Adult & Continuing Education Office.
  • Applications and a copy of your driver’s license can be emailed to AdultEd@dcts.org.

Course Information

  • Cost: $5,000
  • Hours: 200 hours
  • Availability: Evenings

How To Apply

Payment Information

Payment Methods

  • Personal Pay: Credit/Debit (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Money Order, or Cash
  • Company Pay: Company Credit Card or Company Check
  • Payment in full is two weeks prior to the first class. Submission of an application alone does not guarantee a spot in the class
  • Checks should be made out to DCTS ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION and mailed to 6001 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or call (717) 652-3170 ext. 7902 to make payment by credit card. No refunds will be issued after the start of class.

Paperwork & Cancellations

  • Applicants should set up an interview to receive a student handbook and take a basic math/reading comprehension questionnaire by calling the Adult & Continuing Education department at (717) 652-3170 ext 7902(Option 2) or emailing AdultEd@dcts.org.
  • Refunds (minus credit card fees) will be offered up until the start of the class.
  • No refunds will be offered after the start of class..
  • A $50 administrative fee will be charged for cancellations.
  • Cancellation requests must be received via email at AdultEd@dcts.org two weeks before the class start date.

Submit Your Application Today!

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