Handiness

Handiness is a skill in The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 which replaces the Mechanical skill from The Sims 2 and The Sims Stories. It allows Sims to fix and upgrade objects.

The Sims 3
The skill is augmented by the Handy trait.

Statistics

 * Objects Repaired
 * Electrical Objects Repaired
 * Plumbing Objects Repaired
 * Objects Upgraded
 * Unique Upgrades Completed
 * Percent of Unique Upgrades Completed
 * Times Electrocuted

Challenges

 * Electrician
 * Electricians have repaired at least 10 electrical objects. The experience gained means they will never be electrocuted by an electrical object again.


 * Plumber
 * Plumbers have repaired at least 10 plumbing objects. They are so good at repairs that plumbing objects repaired by them never break again.


 * Tinkerer
 * Tinkerers have finished at least 10 unique upgrades on household items. Installing the "Unbreakable" upgrade on multiple objects only counts as one unique upgrade, so it helps to experiment with different upgrade options! Tinkerers never fail when upgrading objects.

Opportunities

 * Settle an Argument
 * Reward: Cash
 * Location: Specified Sim
 * Description: [Sim] is a bit peeved with modern technology, and has taken the opinion that it's unreliable and breaks too often. Have a chat with [Sim] and provide a convincing argument about the greatness of modern technology. You'll earn a little money and improve your relationship with [Sim] for settling the disagreement.


 * Bring Back the Jams
 * Goal: Upgrade the Stereo and return it to [Random Sim]
 * Reward: Cash
 * Location: Specified Sim
 * Description: A Stereo belonging to [Sim] is barely pumping out tunes like it used to, and it's making [Sim] look really uncool. [Sim] will leave the stereo with you (in the family inventory) to Upgrade. Once you're finished, bring it back and [Sim] will pay you for the work.


 * Broken Laptop
 * Goal: Repair the Laptop and return it to [Random Sim]
 * Reward: Cash
 * Location: Specified Sim


 * Bad Reception
 * Goal: Repair the TV and return it to [Random Sim]
 * Reward: Cash
 * Description: [Sim] has a TV that's busted and there's nobody around to fix it. Take the TV set (It will be placed in your family inventory.) and whack it a few times to see if you can't get it working again. [Sim] will pay you for the repair work.


 * Not Music, Not Fun
 * Goal: Repair the Stereo and return it to [Random Sim]
 * Reward: Cash
 * Location: Specified Sim


 * Repair Before Jail Breaks
 * Goal: Fix the lock mechanism
 * Reward: Cash
 * Location: Police Station

Glitches
The player can give both Unbreakable and Perfect upgrades to the same Teleporter by taking advantage of a glitch by completing the Perfect Teleportation upgrade first, then starting a new upgrade for Unbreakable, and canceling it after only some work is done.
 * Unbreakable and Perfect Teleportation


 * Unique Upgrade Update

The Solar Panel and Wind Raker or Wind Reaper will add to your unique upgrade count, but not your unique upgrades percentage or unique upgrades list.

The Sims 4
The handiness skill can be leveled up by repairing and upgrading objects, as well as crafting sculptures or furniture at the woodworking table. It uses the Focused emotions to boost up the skill level and quality of craftale items at the woodworking table.

Upgrade Parts
To upgrade objects, Sims will need upgrade parts. The parts are Common, Plumbing, Kitchen and Electronic. They can be found by rummage scrap piles, which spawn after repairing an object, or ordering them instantly from a computer.