Work day procedures for GROUPS

We look forward to having your group participate in a Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte work project. Hopefully the following information will help you prepare for your volunteer day.

A few things to keep in mind as you plan your workday:

Hours: Throughout most of the year, we work from 8am-4pm and take about an hour for lunch. In July and August, we work from 7am-12:30pm. When you get to the job site, a Habitat representative will go over key construction and safety information, so please make every effort to be prompt.

Tools: Each person (except on painting days) needs to bring:

• hammer (16 oz minimum)
• pencil
• tape measure (25’)                                
• nail apron
• Safety Equipment: safety glasses & hard hat (required on all workdays, but provided on site for those who don’t have them

*Extra tools are not available on site. Work is generally not available for people without tools. Please have volunteers bring any small hand tools that they may have, for example, a screw driver, utility knife, gloves, siding snips, etc. Please label all tools with your name.

Paint Days: If your group is scheduled to paint, no tools are necessary; however, if people have 1-2” brushes it is helpful. You will be painting inside.  Wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.

Clothing: Everyone should wear clothes that they do not mind getting dirty, and tennis shoes or boots. No open toed shoes are allowed on site. Please be advised that there is no smoking inside the house.

Group Size: We expect groups of about 7 to 15 individuals. For the most part, we are unable to accommodate larger groups, so please limit your group size accordingly. With too few volunteers, tasks cannot be completed and the building schedule will fall behind. Please help us make sure your group has a good experience by ensuring the appropriate number of people are on the job site. 

Lunch & Water: Your group could plan to eat out, bring your lunches from home, or have someone bring lunch to the job site. Please bring water, too, as none is provided on site.  You can also pre-order Julia's Coffee for your group and we'll deliver it to the site!

Weather: Plan to show up rain or shine. If it is still raining when you get to the site and your task takes place outside, we will try and reassign your group to inside work.

Age Restrictions: No one under the age of 16 will be permitted on the building site while work is being done. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to use any power equipment, work at a height above 6 feet, or participate in any hazardous activity. Volunteers under the age of 18 and their parent or guardian are required to sign a special Minor’s Release of Liability, which can be downloaded here. Volunteers 18 and over will sign the release at the Habitat site.

Working with Homeowners: As a part of their sweat equity requirements, our homeowners must work on their own home. Please take the time to get to the homeowners and friends who may be performing their sweat equity on the site with your group.

Changes in Task and Schedule: Although we try to maintain the exact plan listed, due to poor weather or other unforeseen problems our schedule is occasionally interrupted. We will make every effort to let your group leader know of any delays or changes as soon as possible.

Thank you for making this commitment to improve the life of your fellow Charlotteans! If you have any questions about your workday, please contact Beth Van Gorp at 704-716-7077 or bvangorp@habitatcharlotte.org.