Construction Volunteering

Ready to roll up your sleeves?

If you are interested in swinging a hammer, pounding nails and building houses, then volunteering on a build might be just the thing for you!

Our Construction Supervisors are trained professionals who will walk you through your assigned tasks while volunteering. Skilled trade volunteers are greatly appreciated. Reach out to the volunteer coordinator for current and future opportunities.


Age Restriction: No one under the age of 16 is allowed on active construction sites.

Construction teams

Volunteer teams give you the opportunity to work closely with others, build your skills and networks, and help us work more effectively towards our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Teams can consist of just about any group of people interested in participating: corporate, faith, family, friends, interest groups, neighborhood, skills-based, students, young professionals, or however else you like to get together.


You can create your own team (which can be closed, or open to the public), or join one of our public teams. Teams set their own goals, so it can be as little as one volunteer day a year, or much more.


We are currently recruiting for the following construction teams:


  • Hammer & Saw, general construction: The biggest criteria to become a Hammer & Saw volunteer is the willingness to commit and be counted on. Scheduling can be flexible, but most come once a week. Experience helps, but you don’t need to be an expert to start. Our construction team and experienced volunteers will help build your skills.
  • Hammer & Saw, skills-based teams: Cabinet making, electric, HVAC, plumbing, siding, etc. Limited space on each team. Prerequisite skills or a significant training commitment is needed.
  • Women Build: Currently building a new house every year! Individuals can join a public team, or create a new team. Commitment can be as little as one day per year, or as much as you can. More information here.
  • Each of the following volunteer programs also participate heavily in our construction projects, and have teams that are looking for additional members. Commitment varies by team, from one day per year to much more: group volunteering, faith-based, students and youth, veterans, women build, young professionals.


To join one of these teams, email volunteering@GRHabitat.org

Learn more

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This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

FAQs

  • Do I need experience or tools?

    No experience or tools needed. Our construction team are trained professionals who will walk you through your assigned tasks while volunteering. We provide all tools and safety equipment except work gloves.

  • What should I expect?

    Be flexible and prepared to work. In addition to house construction, our construction volunteers also participate in shed building, landscaping, neighborhood revitalization, and more. We ask volunteers to be prepared for a good day's work, no matter the task.

  • Are there age restrictions?

    No one under the age of 16 is allowed on our construction sites. 16–17-year-old volunteers can build with us only after submitting a parental permission form.

  • What are the hours?

    In Monroe County, volunteers build Wednesday-Saturday (9am-4pm). Individual volunteers must be available for the entire shift.  For more information on Ontario and Wayne County please email volunteering@GRHabitat.org

  • How do I prepare for a shift?

    Dress for the weather, plan to work outside, and expect to get dirty! We recommend closed-toe sturdy work shoes or hiking boots, work clothes, work gloves, and dressing in layers. We also recommend a hat or sunscreen for hot weather.


    Please bring a packed lunch and water (refills provided by Habitat).  


    Portable toilets are available on our construction sites. On-street parking can usually be found within a block or two, but if you are volunteering with a group, please consider carpooling.  Lawn chairs for lunch and breaks are encouraged.

  • Do you work in all weather conditions?

    We work year-round as long as conditions are safe. Our construction sites will close when the local school closes. ​ All registered volunteers will be notified of any cancellation or delay by email.

  • ​How do I find out where to go?

    Site location will be provided the week of your shift.  If you are running late (15 minutes or more) or can’t find the location, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 585 857-5813.

  • What if I need to cancel a shift?

    To cancel a shift, login to your Giveffect account at https://give.grhabitat.org/signin, then click "my volunteering" on the left menu. This will bring you to a list of all your registered shifts. You can cancel any shift by clicking the red cancel button on the right side of each shift.

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