Handiness

Handiness

A Sim improving their Handiness skill by tinkering with an object.

For The Sims 2 skill, see Mechanical.

Handiness is a skill in The Sims 3. The skill is augmented by the Handy trait. It allows Sims to fix and upgrade objects.

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

A Sim being electrocuted.

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)
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

Upgrade	Level	Applicable Object	Difficulty Rating	Note
Auto Light	4	Fireplace		The fire turns itself on whenever the Sim walks into the room.
Auto Water	4	Sprinkler		Automatically waters the plants every morning.
Boost Channels	6-10	TV (Only the cheap ones)		Unlocks advance channels which are not available in cheap televisions. With higher skills, more channels can be unlocked
Change Fire Color	3	Fireplace		The player can choose between blue, purple, green and regular by right-clicking on fireplace.
Custom Doorbell Sound	3	Door		Changes the sound of your doorbell.
Faster Cooking	4	Microwave		Cooks food in a hurry.
Fireproof	4	Fireplace, Stove		Will never set things on fire - ever.
Flavor Enhancement	9	Nectar Maker		Increases nectar flavor by 15%.
Improve Fire Alarm	4	Firestation Alarm		Respond faster to firefighting emergencies! (Sim must be in a Firefighter career)
Improve Meal Quality	7	Stove		Increases the quality of cooked meals.
Improve Speakers	3	Stereo		Increases effect of "Enjoying Music" moodlet by 10.
Improved Crushing	6	Trash Compactor		Allows you to store more trash.
Improved Graphics	8	Computer		Everyone knows - Better graphics makes games more fun.
Improved Memory	9	Food Replicator		Every subsequently stored meal will have 20 copies available instead of the regular 10.
Improved Pressing	5	Nectar Maker		Adds an extra one bottle of nectar on each production.
Perfect Teleportation	9	Teleporter		Disables the possibility that Teleporter fails.
Self-Cleaning	3	Toilets, Bathtubs, Sinks, Stove		This object will clean itself every time it gets dirty.
Silent Running	4	Dishwasher (Only inexpensive §300 dishwasher)		Makes your dishwasher runs silently.
Unbreakable	6	Plumbing Objects Stereo Teleporter TV Computer Dishwasher Trash Compacter Washing Machine		Like it says - It never breaks.
Upgraded Extinguisher	3	Fire Extinguisher		Extinguish fires Faster! (Sim must be in a Firefighter career)
Wire House With Speakers	8	Stereo		"Enjoying Music" moodlet follows all around the house. The stereo interrupts sleep throughout the house instead of just nearby rooms.
Always Good Fortune	6	Fortune Factory Fortune Cookie Maker		Always gives you the positive moodlet from fortune cookies.
Clean Polymer Injection System	6	Washing Machine		Makes the Fresh Clothing moodlet last longer
Look-Good Mirrors	6	Styling Station		Your customers will be more likely to be satisfied with their Makeovers!
More Efficient	6	Windmill, Solar panel		Bills are reduced by 3% (Solar Panel) and 6% (Windmill) instead of 2% and 4%.
Inkinization 2.0	6	The Digital Tattoo Applicator		Never give or recieve a bad tattoo on this device again.
Improved Jets	6	Hot Tub		Changes the hot tubs' bubbles effect.
Never Lose	6	Dartboard		You'll never lose again!

Opportunities

Settle an Argument

Reward: Cash

Location: Specified Sim

[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

Text: 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

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.