Handiness

Handiness

A Sim in The Sims 3 improving their handiness skill by tinkering with an object.

For the similar skill in The Sims and The Sims 2, see Mechanical.

Handiness is a skill in The Sims 3 and The Sims 4, which replaces the mechanical skill from previous games. It allows Sims to fix and upgrade various objects.

The Sims 3

In The Sims 3, handiness 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.

Abilities

An electrocuted Sim

Level	Ability	Notes
1	Tinker	Allows the Sim to tinker with an object to add a random upgrade
3	Upgrade (Self Cleaning)	Cleanable objects can be made self-cleaning
4	Upgrade Features	Fireproofing (Stove), Improved Speakers (Stereo), Silent Running (Dishwasher) Improved Jets (Hot Tub)
6	Upgrade (Unbreakable)	Objects can be made unbreakable
7	Upgrade TV & Other	Seems to unlock most of the remaining upgrades
10	Discount	Objects in the Buy and Build Mode are cheaper

Upgrades

Lvl	Upgrade	Applicable Objects	Difficulty Rating	Function	EP
0	Auto Refill	Juice keg		The juice keg no longer needs to be refilled.	&EP09
1	Foghorn	Helm			&EP10
2	Tech Level 2	Brain enhancing machine			&EP09
3	Auto Fill	Water trough		Automatically fills the horse's water trough.	&EP05
3	Custom Doorbell Sound	Door		Changes the sound of the doorbell.	&BG
3	Improve Speakers	Stereo		Increases effect of "Enjoying Music" moodlet by 10.	&BG
3	Self-Cleaning	Plumbing, stove, all-in-one bathroom(lvl 8)		This object will clean itself every time it's used.	&BG
3	Silent Running	Cheap dishwasher		Makes the dishwasher run silently.	&BG
3	Improve Speaker	Wall-mounted speaker			&EP06
3	Space Travel	UFO		Enables the ability to travel to the space with an alien's UFO.	&EP08
3	Improved Jets	Hot tub		Changes the hot tubs' bubbles effect.	&EP03
3	Upgraded Extinguisher	Fire extinguisher		Requires level 5 in Firefighter profession. Sims can extinguish fire faster. The extinguisher color changes from white to orange.	&EP02
4	Add Speakers	Not So Routine Machine		Gives Sims a fun boost whenever they use the machine.	&Store
4	Auto Water	Sprinkler		Automatically waters the plants every morning.	&BG
4	Cosmic Bowling	Bowling lane			&EP09
4	Fireproof	Stove(lvl 4), fireplace(lvl 6)		Will never set things on fire. The Fireproof Homestead lifetime reward makes this upgrade useless in the active household.	&BG
4	Engine Speed	Helm		Increases the speed of the houseboat.	&EP10
4	Improve Fire Alarm	Fire alarm		Requires to be in Firefighter profession. The alarm responds faster to firefighting emergencies.	&EP02
4	Laser Cannons	UFO		Gives the ability to invade community lots with an alien's UFO.	&EP08
5	Improved Pressing	Nectar maker		Adds an extra one bottle of nectar on each production.	&EP01
5	Never Loses	Dartboard		Hacks the dartboard, allowing the Sim that hacked it to always win.	&EP03
6	Improved Crushing	Trash compactor		Allows Sims to store more trash.	&BG
6	More Efficient	Solar panel, windmill		Bills are reduced by 3% (Solar Panel) and 6% (Windmill) instead of 2% and 4%.	&Store
6	Unbreakable	Electronics, plumbing, etc.		This object will never break.	&BG
6	Clean Polymer Injection System	Washing machine		Makes the Fresh Clothing moodlet last longer.	&EP02
6	Inkinization 2.0	Expensive tattoo chair		Always gives good result when using the device.	&EP02
6	Look-Good Mirrors	Styling station		Customers will be more likely to be satisfied with their makeovers.	&EP02
7	Tech Level 3	Brain enhancing machine			&EP09
7	Auto Light	Cheap fireplace		The fire turns itself on whenever Sim walks into the room.	&BG
7	Boost Channel	Cheap TV		Unlocks advance channels which are not available in cheap televisions. With higher skills, more channels can be unlocked.	&BG
7	Faster Cooking	Microwave		Sims cook food with microwave faster.	&BG
7	Improve Meal Quality	Stove		Increases the quality of cooked meals.	&BG
7	Perfect Teleportation	Teleporter		Disables the possibility that Teleporter fails.	&BG
7	Always Good Fortune	Fortune cookie maker		Always gives Sims the positive moodlet from the fortune cookies. However, with this upgrade, Sims with Loser trait or "Unlucky" moodlet will always get bad fortune.	&EP01
7	Autopilot	Helm		Enables autopilot mode to the houseboat.	&EP10
7	Glow	Umbrella		Enables the umbrella to glow when used.	&EP08
8	Teleport Anywhere	Not So Routine Machine		Shows up as Perfect Teleportation in-game after upgrade completed.	&Store
8	Inertial Stabilizer	PlasmaPunch Gyroscopic Conductor		Sims will never get nauseous again.	&EP06
8	Singing Synthesizer	Karaoke machine			&EP06
8	Improved Graphics	Computer, holo computer		Sims gain more fun playing with computers. Technophobe Sims cannot do this upgrade.	&BG
8	Wire House with Speakers	Stereo		"Enjoying Music" moodlet follows all around the house. The stereo interrupts sleep throughout the house instead of just nearby rooms.	&BG
9	Flavor Enhancement	Nectar maker		Increases nectar flavor by 15%.	&EP01
9	Change Fire Color	Cheap fireplace		The player can choose between blue, purple, green and normal for the fire color.	&BG
9	Improved Memory	Food replicator		Every subsequently stored meal will have 20 copies available instead of the regular 10.	&BG
10	Dimensional Gate	PlasmaPunch Gyroscopic Conductor		Creates a dimensional gate when the PlasmaPunch Gyroscopic Conductor is used.	&EP06

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

Unbreakable and Perfect Teleportation

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.

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.

Gallery

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  Unclogging the toilet helps with the handiness skill.

The Sims 4

In The Sims 4, handiness is mostly used to repair broken objects in order to not spend money by replacing them, or by calling a repairman. Handiness also determines the quality of craftable items made with the woodworking table. Raising this skill is one of the main objectives of the Nerd Brain aspiration.

Abilities

Level	Ability	Interaction
2	Basic Upgrades on Plumbing, Craft Furniture, Talk about Handiness, Purchase Upgrade Parts	Upgrade, woodworking, social and computer interactions
3	Find Rare Upgrade Parts, Carve Bunny, Dragon, Horse and Elephant Sculptures	Collecting and woodworking interactions
4	Advanced Upgrades on Plumbing, Craft End Tables	Upgrade and woodworking interactions
5	Basic Upgrades on Kitchen Objects, Craft Bear and Lumberjack Sculptures, Brag about Handiness	Upgrade, woodworking and social interactions
6	Craft Dining Tables and Dining Chairs	Woodworking interactions
7	Perform Advanced Upgrades on Kitchen Objects	Upgrade interactions
8	Basic Upgrades on Electronics, Craft Instruments	Upgrade and woodworking interactions
9	Advanced Upgrades on Electronics, Craft Tubs	Upgrade and woodworking interactions
10	Craft Toilets, Mentor other Sims	Woodworking and social interactions

Learning

Handiness is raised by repairing and upgrading objects, as well as crafting sculptures or furniture at the woodworking table. Like with other skills, Sims can read skill books to raise their handiness. Sims who are focused will build their handiness skill faster, as well as repairing objects much quicker. Genius Sims tend to be focused more often than other Sims, making the trait to be perfect for leveling this skill. Sims who have mastered their handiness can mentor other Sims as well.

Repairing objects

A Sim repairing a toilet.

Various objects such as televisions, toilets and sinks tend to break after numerous uses by Sims. A broken object is indicated by a visual cue such as stream of water, smoke or electrical sparks, depending on the type of the object. Repairs will always work no matter how low or high the Sims' handiness skill is, though having higher handiness will make these interaction go quicker. After a Sim has successfully repaired an object, they will gain a couple upgrade parts. A scrap pile will also appear, that Sims can scavenge to gain another part or two.

If a Sim with low handiness skills tries to repair an electronic object or is standing on top of a puddle of water, there is a higher chance of the Sim getting shocked. The Sim will gain the "Seriously Fried" moodlet, which will give the +40 dazed emotion for 3 hours, and causes smoke to pour out of the Sim. If the Sim gets shocked again with the moodlet, they'll be immediately electrocuted and die. There is also a chance of the object the Sim was repairing catching fire.

Upgrading objects

Having a high handiness skill allows Sims to upgrade various objects, by improving their functionality and making them unbreakable. In order to upgrade objects Sims must first have the required level and upgrade parts. Upgrade parts can be found while searching through the scrap piles left from repairing, or by breaking down and salvaging electronic objects. Sims can also purchase various upgrade parts from the computer after reaching level 2. It costs §10 to buy common upgrade parts, §30 for plumbing parts, §90 for kitchen parts and §120 for electronic parts.

Upgraded objects, while costing a small fortune, provide happy moodlets for Sims that can boost their current emotions, and can also add more functionalities to objects, such as new channels on the television. Some higher quality versions of objects, such as DJ booths and robot vacuums, will have all of the upgrades already available, though they tend to be much more costly.

List of upgrades

Lvl	Upgrade	Applicable objects	Required parts	Function	EP
2	Sturdy Faucets	Sink	2 Common	Reduces how often the sink breaks.	&BG
2	Superior Flush	Toilet	2 Common	Reduces how often the toilet breaks.	&BG
2	Sturdy Faucets	Bathtub	3 Common	Reduces how often the bathtub breaks.	&BG
2	Upgrade Water Flow Regulator	Shower	2 Common	Reduces how often the shower breaks.	&BG
2	Climatic Hydrator	Weather machine	1 Common, 1 Plumbing	Increases the success chance when attempting to create rain or snow.	&EP05
2	Gyroscope Durability	Weather machine	1 Common, 1 Kitchen	Reduces how often the weather machine breaks.	&EP05
2	Humidity Chiller	Weather machine	1 Common, 1 Kitchen	Increases the success chance of interactions involving snow or cold.	&EP05
2	Moisture Vaporator	Weather machine	1 Common, 1 Plumbing	Improves the success chance of attempts to clear the skies.	&EP05
3	Tighten Up Graphics	Gaming console	2 Common, 1 Electronic	Makes playing video games gain more fun.	&EP03
3	Capacitive Efficiency	Weather machine	1 Common, 1 Electronic	Unlocks the ability to modify the current season's weather.	&EP05
3	Iron Line	Clothesline	3 Common	Makes the clothesline unbreakable and unable to catch on fire.	&SP13
4	Self-Cleaning	Sink	1 Common, 2 Plumbing	The sink will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
4	Auto-Soap Dispenser	Sink	3 Common, 1 Plumbing	Increases the rate of gaining hygiene.	&BG
4	Self-Cleaning	Toilet	3 Common, 2 Plumbing	The toilet will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
4	Bidet	Toilet	3 Common, 2 Plumbing	Increases hygiene while using toilet.	&BG
4	Self Cleaning	Bathtub	3 Common, 1 Plumbing	The bathtub will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
4	Clean Coat	Bathtub	3 Common, 2 Plumbing	Increases the rate of gaining hygiene.	&BG
4	Self-Cleaning Wall Coating	Shower	2 Common, 2 Plumbing	The shower will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
4	Pulsating Massage Jets	Shower	3 Common, 1 Plumbing	Increases the rate of gaining hygiene.	&BG
4	Fireguard	Fireplace	3 Common, 2 Plumbing	Decreases the chances of a fire starting.	&BG
4	Autolight	Fireplace	3 Common, 2 Plumbing	The fireplace will be turned on automatically when Sims entering the room.	&BG
4	Sturdy Panels	Motion gaming mat	4 Common	Reduces how often the motion gaming mat breaks.	&BG
4	Corrective Laser Lens	X-ray machine	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes the x-ray machine scan faster.	&EP01
4	Frictionless Scanner Rig	X-ray machine	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes the x-ray machine unbreakable.	&EP01
4	Self-Cleaning	Sauna	2 Common	The sauna will be automatically cleaned.	&GP02
4	Iron Microphone	Karaoke machine	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Prevents the karaoke machine from breaking.	&EP03
5	Reinforced Door	Refrigerator	4 Common	Reduces how often the refrigerator breaks.	&BG
5	Coated Exterior	Stove	3 Common	The stove will become less dirtier.	&BG
5	Coated Interior	Microwave oven	3 Common	Takes longer to get dirty.	&BG
5	Stick-Free Pot	Tea brewer	3 Common	Takes longer to get dirty.	&BG
5	Consistently Perfect Pulls	Espresso machine	2 Common, 3 Kitchen	Unlocks the "Perfect Pre-Work Shot" recipe.	&EP02
5	Gizmo Redundancy	Robot vacuum	2 Common, 1 Electronic	Reduces how often the robot vacuum breaks.	&EP04
5	Self Repairing Nanites	Weather machine	2 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes the weather machine unbreakable.	&EP05
5	Presoak	Washer	1 Common, 2 Plumbing	Makes clothes wash slower, but increases the chance of them being pristine.	&SP13
5	Lint-Less	Dryer	1 Common, 1 Electric, 2 Kitchen	The dryer will no longer create lint, making laundry dry faster and preventing fires from starting.	&SP13
6	Wireless Display Override	Gaming console	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Allows the gaming console to take control over the display of nearby video screens.	&EP03
6	Wireless Display Override	Karaoke machine	3 Common, 4 Electronic	Allows the karaoke machine to take control over the display of nearby video screens.	&EP03
6	Gyro-Compactor	Robot vacuum	4 Common	Increases the amount of trash that can be cleaned before becoming full.	&EP04
6	Whisper Quiet	Washer	1 Common, 1 Plumbing, 1 Electric	Makes the washer run more silently.	&SP13
6	Laundry Additive Tray	Washer	1 Common, 3 Kitchen	Unlocks the ability to add pleasant or foul scents to loads of laundry.	&SP13
6	Whisper Quiet	Dryer	1 Common, 1 Kitchen, 1 Electric	Makes the dryer run more silently.	&SP13
7	Fresh Maker	Refrigerator	2 Common, 3 Kitchen	Improves the overall quality of food.	&BG
7	Fridge of Steel	Refrigerator	2 Common, 3 Kitchen	Greatly reduces how often the refrigerator breaks.	&BG
7	Self-Cleaning	Stove	3 Common, 3 Kitchen	The stove will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
7	Heat Sensor	Stove	2 Common, 2 Kitchen	Improves the overall quality of the food.	&BG
7	Self Cleaning	Microwave oven	2 Common, 2 Kitchen	The microwave oven will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
7	Flavor Enhancer	Microwave oven	2 Common, 3 Kitchen	Improves the overall quality of food.	&BG
7	Self-Cleaning	Tea/Coffee brewer	2 Common, 2 Kitchen	The tea/coffee brewer will be automatically cleaned.	&BG
7	Infuser	Tea/Coffee bewer	3 Common, 2 Kitchen	Improves the overall quality of tea/coffee.	&BG
7	Increase Cleaning Speed	Dishwasher	1 Plumbing, 1 Kitchen	Speeds up the wash cycle.	&BG
7	Make Extra Reliable	Dishwasher	2 Common	Reduces how often the dishwasher breaks.	&BG
7	Make Run Quieter	Dishwasher	1 Common, 1 Kitchen	Makes the dishwasher run silently.	&BG
7	Make Unbreakable	Dishwasher	2 Common, 2 Kitchen	Makes the dishwasher unbreakable.	&BG
7	Pitch Enchancer	Karaoke machine	5 Common, 3 Electronic	Allows Sims to sing with computer-assisted precision.	&EP03
7	Waterproof Mechanisms	Robot vacuum	2 Common, 2 Plumbing	Allows the robot vacuum to clean liquid messes.	&EP04
7	Speed Cycle	Washer	2 Common, 1 Plumbing, 1 Electric	Makes the washer clean laundry more quickly.	&SP13
7	Speed Cycle	Dryer	2 Common, 2 Electric	Makes the dryer dry laundry more quickly.	&SP13
8	Better Components	Television	4 Common	Reduces how often the television breaks.	&BG
8	Better Components	Stereo	3 Common	Reduces how often the stereo breaks.	&BG
8	ECC RAM	Computer	5 Common	Reduces how often the computer breaks.	&BG
8	Crytacoo Casing	Motion gaming mat	3 Common, 3 Electronic	Makes the object unbreakable.	&BG
8	Reinforce Telescopic Pivots	Backyard observatory	2 Common	Redcues how often the telescope breaks.	&BG
8	Robustify Inner Workings	Microscope	2 Common	Reduces how often the microscope breaks.	&BG
8	Steel Centrifuge	Chemical analyzer	None	Makes the chemical analyzer unbreakable.	&EP01
8	Unbreakable Upgrade	Gaming console	3 common, 2 Electronic	Makes the gaming console unbreakable.	&EP03
8	Sonic Dampeners	Robot vacuum	2 Common, 2 Electronic	Sounds reduced while running, drawing less pet attention.	&EP04
8	Temporal Modifier Unit	Weather machine	3 Common, 3 Electronic	Allows the weather machine to advance the season.	&EP05
8	Tungsten Drum	Washer	2 Plumbing, 2 Electric	Reduces how often the washer breaks.	&SP13
8	Tungsten Drum	Dryer	1 Kitchen, 3 Electric	Reduces how often the dryer breaks.	&SP13
9	Super Reception	Television	4 Common, 2 Electronic	Adds the fireplace and music channels.	&BG
9	Firaxium Wiring	Television	3 Common, 3 Electronic	Makes the television unbreakable.	&BG
9	Super Reception	Stereo	4 Common, 2 Electronic	Adds the retro radio station.	&BG
9	Firaxium Wiring	Stereo	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes the stereo unbreakable.	&BG
9	IP Spoofer	Computer	4 Common, 3 Electronic	Makes hacking more successful.	&BG
9	Better Video Card	Computer	5 Common, 3 Electronic	Makes playing video games gain more fun.	&BG
9	eMotion Engine	Motion gaming mat	4 Common, 4 Electronic	Makes playing video games gain more fun.	&BG
9	Augment Telescopic Eyepiece	Backyard observatory	2 Common	Increases the chances of success when using the telescope.	&BG
9	Improve Lens Quality	Microscope	2 Common	Increases the chance for success when in use.	&BG
9	Perfect Inner Workings	Microscope	2 Common	Makes the microscope unbreakable.	&BG
9	Waterproof Circuitry	Sauna	2 Common, 2 Plumbing	Makes the sauna unbreakable.	&GP02
9	Turbo-Charge	Robot vacuum	2 Common, 3 Electronic	Speeds up the robot vacuum's movement, idle and scan-time.	&EP04
9	Upgrade to Never Break	Pet surgery station	3 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes the pet surgery station unbreakable.	&EP04
10	Precision Temperature Probe	Sauna	4 Common, 2 Electronic	Makes for better relaxation.	&GP02

Woodworking

Crafting furniture with the woodworking table.

Handiness is also greatly affected by woodworking, which composes of crafting various forms of sculptures and unique furniture. Sims can start crafting at any level, though at lower levels of handiness they will have probabilities of crafting bad quality items. The sculptures can range from small decorations such as knife blocks to animals like bunnies, dragons and horses. Chairs and tables are usually the first forms of furniture that Sims can craft, before moving into actual functioning objects such as instruments, bathtubs and toilets at the highest levels.

All crafted items will have various levels of guality, ranging from poor, normal and excellent. Poor quality furniture will have jagged looks and be uncomfortable for Sims. Excellent items, however, sell for much higher prices and have better stats on comfort and environment. Being focused will help immensely with woodworking, increasing the chances of crafting items of excellent quality. Sims who are experiencing specific emotions and have reached level two in handiness can also craft emotional sculptures.