DIY workshops/courses/volunteering in Los Angeles?

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Hey fellow Angelenos! I would like to learn how to do some basic home improvement work such as tiling, floor installation, floor refinishing, drywalling, painting, landscaping etc.. so I can apply it to my own future properties. I know Home Depot/Lowes have some basic workshops that may give some useful tips but I want to get my hands dirty and do some actual work to gain experience instead of hacking up my own home after watching a few youtube clips. I'm self employed and have no issues with time so I would like to use it doing something productive.

Are there any hands-on courses or workshops for such a thing in or around LA? Alternatively are there any places I could just volunteer? Would I need a license to volunteer for a general contractor on site?

[Kiran Rouzie]

Michael Mossess Fay Chen

I'm looking for the same! Checked out Home Depot, the adult and technical schools in the area and didn't see anything. There's of course a series of classes in Chula Vista for everything you just mentioned plus basic electrical but that's too far for me to go on a regular basis.

I'll definitely check out Habitat for Humanity! I've volunteered with them before and hadn't even thought about that as a possibility. I learned a lot when I volunteered years ago.

Most of what I know now came from working on houses with my late stepfather who used to restore historic homes and build theaters. That and doing work on own house. Ha. I'm good installing appliances, technology integration, cabinets, countertops, laminate flooring, lighting but would like to learn more about tile work especially.

Keep me posted on what else you find!