Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do I volunteer?

If you are an individual who would like to volunteer, please click here.

If you would like to book a corporate group, please click here.

If you would like to book an educational, civic, community, or faith-based group, please click here.

Can I still help if I don't want to do construction?

There are plenty of other opportunities that can be viewed here.

Where are construction sites and offices?

We are currently building in East Palo Alto, San Francisco, Daly City and Novato. Our office is located at 645 Harrison Street in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco.

CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS

I've never held a hammer in my life, can I still work on site?

We welcome volunteers of ALL skill levels and we provide the training that you need! Be aware that construction is a physically demanding activity, and there are dangers associated with it. As such, we ask you to sign a waiver, which you can print out by clicking here here[PDF]. Please bring this completed waiver to the site.

What safety information should I know prior to working?

Please view our safety video.

How old do I have to be to work on site?

You must be at least 16 years old to work on the construction site; additionally, you must be at least 18 to work on roofs and/or scaffolding and use power tools. All minors under the age of 18 must arrive with two waivers signed by their parent or guardian. You can download the waiver forms here[PDF] and here[PDF].

How do I get to the construction site?

For directions and public transit information to any of our construction sites, please visit 511.org or maps.google.com.

Is there parking near the site?

Parking is extremely limited at the sites. Plan to arrive early to look for spaces. We recommend that you carpool whenever possible.

When should I arrive at the site?

Arrive at 8:30 in order to register. An orientation and a safety talk begin at 8:30, and work starts promptly at 9am. For safety reasons, we cannot allow anyone to come late; if you miss the safety talk, you may not be able to work on the site that day. The length of the build day varies between sites, so please check each site for an end time.

Can I come late/leave early?

The construction day is nonnegotiable. We ask for a full-day commitment from all our volunteers. When people show up late or leave early it makes it difficult for our supervisors to properly train volunteers or accomplish the construction goals for the day. Late arrivals may also cause delays in the start of safety instruction and task assignments. If you miss the safety talk, late arrivals may be asked to leave.

What if I get injured?

Habitat Greater San Francisco staff and AmeriCorps are trained in First Aid and CPR and can attend to minor cuts and scrapes. Please notify staff of any pre-existing conditions and of any necessary precautions, such as a bee sting kit, inhaler, etc. We ask that all injuries, no matter how minor, be reported to the site manager. If a serious injury occurs, a staff person will assist you in getting emergency medical care.

It's raining! What do I do?

Construction can continue during rain showers, depending on the state of the site. Often we will have enough work to do indoors to continue working in inclement weather. To check on the status of the build day at a specific site , please call the number listed in the Volunteer Packet or on your confirmation email.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy, closed toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty or ruined. Also be aware that much of the work is outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather, including wind, sun and/or fog. Check here to find out what to expect.

What should I bring to the construction site?

First of all, bring a lunch and a water bottle. Habitat Greater San Francisco will provide the hand tools and power tools you will be using. You may bring your own hand tools if you like, but be sure to label them with your name. If you have your own work gloves or safety goggles you may want to bring them as well. Also, be sure to bring your own personal comfort items - sunscreen, a hat and layered clothing for weather changes. Please leave your valuables at home! There is no storage space at the site.

When is lunch? Are there restaurants/shops nearby?

Lunch is from 12:00-1:00pm. There are places to eat nearby, but it is recommended that you bring your own lunch.

What can I expect to do when I work on the site?

Upon arrival, volunteers must sign the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liabilities Form. Everyone must sign the Volunteer Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Release Liability Form each workday before they are allowed to begin work. Habitat Greater San Francisco is required to have a record of your participation for legal, insurance and statistical purposes. After signing in, volunteers will receive safety instruction and work assignments from the site supervisor.

Work day schedules vary depending on the site; however, the following is a typical workday schedule:

8:30-8:45 8:45-9:00 9:00-12:00 12:00-1:00 1:00-4:00 4:00-4:15

Volunteer sign-in Orientation, safety overview and task assignments Workday tasks Lunch Workday tasks Cleanup

Volunteers are expected to work for the duration of the day but should be aware that on occasion the workday may end before 4: 15 p.m. You will be asked to perform the same task for the duration of the day, in order to maximize productivity.

How many people can work on site?

The optimal number of site volunteers depends on the site and the work plan for the day. Each site has different capacities but there can be as few as five or as many as 70 volunteers each day. The safety and adequate supervision of our volunteers is extremely important to us, and our construction crew determines the number of volunteers we have on our sites.

When is the site open?

The construction sites are open Tuesday through Saturday. The workday starts at 8:30 a.m. and typically lasts until 4:15 p.m. Volunteers need to arrive at the worksite at 8:30 a.m. It is critical for volunteers to arrive on time and sign in! (Site date and time availability may vary.)

Is there a fee for individuals to volunteer on a construction site?

We do not require a fee from individual volunteers. However, we encourage all volunteers to help with Habitat Greater San Francisco's fundraising efforts by participating in our Build Day Sponsor Program.

What else should I know?

Smoking, alcohol, and radios are not allowed on the site. We also ask that you do not bring cell phones onto the construction site as they are distracting and can cause a safety hazard.

Throughout Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties, Habitat GSF works in partnership with neighborhoods that have their own unique identity and in many cases their own unique challenges. We encourage and ask all of our volunteers to embrace our community partners and neighbors as you build with us on site. As you work with us, please remember to remain mindful of your environment and utilize sound judgment at all times. If you have any concerns or questions, please communicate with the staff and AmeriCorps members working on the site.