Construction Instructions for Individuals

Thank you for your attention to these important details!

Tools: Each person, unless it's on a paint day, must bring drinking water, hammer (16 oz. minimum), tape measure (recommended 25'), pencil, and a nail apron (cloth ones can be purchased at home stores for around $1).  Please bring water for your own use.  Please bring other hand tools or safety equipment if you have them, for example: hard hat, safety glasses, utility knife, gloves, siding snips, screw driver, nail set, etc.   When on site, volunteers are required to wear a hard hat and safety glasses (except when painting is the only task on site.) 

Times: For Wednesday through Saturday, please be at the site at 8:00am and plan to work until 4:00 pm.  Tuesday volunteers start at 9am and work till 4pm.  In order to work when it is coolest, on Saturdays only in July and August, plan to work from 7:00am to 12:30pm.  

Lunch: Bring your own lunch or plan to visit a local restaurant.  Please bring water, too.

What to wear: Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or paint-splattered. Also, wear tennis shoes or boots.  No sandals.

What happens when you arrive: When you get to the house build site, you'll be met by a Habitat Charlotte representative who'll go over construction techniques, safety, and other information. Because key information is covered at this time, please be on time. You can also go to our on-line Construction How To's and safety procedures to learn more about the assigned task and safety tips.

Youth Participation: You must be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site. 16 and 17 year-olds must have a parent or guardian sign a Minor's Release of Liability and bring this form to the job site. Volunteers 18 and older will sign the release at the Habitat work site.  16 and 17 year-olds cannot use power tools or work on the roof, or any surfaces over 6 feet off the ground.

Community Service: Community service volunteers (including school, court and lawyer recommended) can learn more about our program at our Community Service page.  However, before starting you mus report to the Habitat office to sign in and receive a Community Service Time Card.

Rain: Plan to show up rain or shine. If it's still raining when you get to the work site, and your task takes place outside, we'll try and reassign you to inside work. But if it's safe, we often work in the rain, so bring your raincoat!  

Working with the Habitat homeowners: On most Saturdays and sometimes on weekdays, you'll have the chance to work alongside the Habitat homeowners who are working on their sweat equity requirements for their home ownership.  Please take time to say hello and get to know them!

Other questions?
Please call 704-716-7077 or email bvangorp@habitatcharlotte.org if you have any other questions.