Construction
![Man in a yellow hard hat on a ladder painting a house](https://cdn.firespring.com/images/dc9caf00-29cc-4008-9204-7e277f9b3dd2.jpeg)
Goals and Impact
Habitat for Humanity partners with prospective homebuyers to provide a decent place to live through the construction of new and rehabilitated homes. Habitat homebuyers help build their own home alongside staff and volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Volunteers are at the heart of construction and bring new skills and capacity to build more affordable homes.
Location
Volunteer locations vary based on current project sites. Specific service locations will be available before you register for a build shift.
What to Expect
At a Habitat construction site, you will help build homes alongside staff members, future homeowners and other volunteers. The volunteer location is an active construction site. A volunteer code of conduct and safety guidelines must be followed to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Volunteers should be prepared to perform construction-related tasks, based on training received on site as part of the larger team. At times you may work independently on projects.
- Most construction tasks take place outdoors; exposure to weather elements should be anticipated.
- Water is provided, but bringing a reusable water bottle is recommended.
- Restroom facilities (port-potties) are provided.
- All construction site staff members, volunteers and visitors are required to wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) deemed necessary by site management. This includes a hard hat and safety glasses for all individuals on site. All necessary PPE will be provided by Habitat site management.
Dress Code
- Sturdy closed-toe and closed-heel shoes.
- Shirt with sleeves.
- Appropriate attire for the weather.
- Clothes you do not mind getting dirty or potentially stained.
- Avoid loose-fitting or baggy clothing.
Qualifications and Restrictions
- There are no age-related restrictions for volunteers 18 years and older.
- Volunteers between 16 and 17 years old may work on an active construction site given that they do not participate in restricted activities.
- Volunteers between the age of 14 and 15 may not work on an active construction site.