Build Volunteers

Don't worry if you don't know the difference between a hammer and a pipe wrench or how to perform a particular task, one of our experienced crew leaders can teach you! By the end of your day with Habitat, you'll know all the industry jargon - like thingamajig, whatchamacallit and doohickey!

• Site hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays
• Upon arrival, sign the attendance log and don the hard hat and boots we provide. We have rain gear in all sizes from small to XXL, some work jackets, spare pants and plenty of work gloves. Also, please note that long pants are required at all times, regardless of the temperature.
• We then have a daily safety briefing which you are required to attend so please arrive on time!
• Work is assigned. Assignments are based on your skills and abilities. At no time will you be asked to perform work that is unsafe or that you are not comfortable doing. We make every attempt to pair inexperienced volunteers with a crew leader
• You gather the tools, equipment and supplies we provide and begin work.
• At 10:00 a.m., we take a 15 minute break. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and donuts are provided. We have a heated first aid room where you can warm up and an outdoor picnic area to use when the weather is nice.
• At noon, we take a 30 minute lunch break. You are responsible for your own lunch. As the break is relatively short, we suggest you bring a lunch. We have a refrigerator and microwave. In some cases, food outlets may be located nearby.
• At 2:00 p.m., we take a 15 minute break
• Depending on the nature of the work you are doing, we begin cleanup between 3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
• You then wash up, change back into your own shoes, sign out and head home with our sincere gratitude for your help.

With minor exceptions for certified trade work, we perform nearly every task required to build our homes, from digging the foundation to sheeting the roof. And because certain tasks cannot begin until others are completed and inspected, it is difficult to predict exactly what we will be doing until one to two weeks prior.

At our build site, you could be:

Landscaping to prepare for footings, sod, sidewalks & irrigation
Installing weatherproofing to exterior walls
Helping install rim joists, floor joists and sub-floor decking
Building and erecting wall panels
Erecting scaffolding
Building, sheeting or shingling the roof
Installing windows
Installing doors
installing tar paper
Installing siding
Installing trim
Installing cabinets
Framing interior walls
painting interior or exterior walls
Building porches or decks
Landscaping
Touch ups

Safety is paramount at Habitat for Humanity Seaway Valley. Please take a moment to prepare for your experience as a construction volunteer by reviewing the following safety video: http://habitat.ca/habitatcanadasafetyvideop1793.php

Also, please note that long pants are required at all times, regardless of the temperature.