Build a house (eight days of construction)
(Click headings below for more detail.)
Weekend One
- 70% of volunteers need muscle to lift heavy wall panels and/or ability to install roof sheathing.
- Some light work for about six people.
Day One—Saturday
- Erect wall panels
- Prime fascia and exterior trim
- Square house
- Top plate house
- Install house wrap
- Build and install fly rafters
- Install roof trusses
- Install windows
- Install sub-fascia
- Start roof sheathing
- Clean up site
Day Two—Sunday
- Finish roof sheathing
- Install fascia
- Install exterior doors
- Install truss bracing
- Clean up site
Some of these activities may move to Saturday if the build progresses quickly.
Weekend Two
- 50% of volunteers work at ground level
- 30% on ladders with siding high on the house
- 20% should be semi-skilled to do outside carpentry, fascia and bird boxes
Day Three—Saturday
- Clean house
- Install siding – start at back of house
- Caulk top and bottom plates and panel joints (internal)
- Install insulation
- Install baffle boards and deadwood
- Install soffit (external)
- Install blocking for drywall, cabinets, shelving
- Install front porch posts and trim
- Clean up site
Day Four—Sunday
- Finish siding
- Finish soffit
- Caulk and paint fascia
- Clean up site
Weekend Three
- 70% semi-skilled to install doors, trim and cabinets
- 30% unskilled for clean up, painting, etc.
- This is a good weekend for 16- and 17-year-old volunteers to participate with adequate supervision
Day Five—Saturday
- Install interior doors, trim and baseboards
- Set and fill nail holes
- Caulk trim
- Interior paint – one prime and two finish coats
- Install kitchen cabinets and countertops
- Finish siding and soffit, 1/4 round
- Finish front porch trim and detail
- Clean up site
Day Six—Sunday
- Finish interior paint
- Finish siding and soffit
- Paint exterior trim, caulk and silicone
- Install bathroom vanities
- Clean up site
Weekend Four
- Some heavy lifters to dig holes and do landscaping
- The rest will install mirrors, towel bars, paper holders
- Do final clean up and punch out
- This is a good weekend for 16- and 17-year-old volunteers to participate with adequate supervision
Day Seven—Saturday—Homeowner Walkthrough!
- Start landscaping
- Install towel bars, mirrors, paper rollers, door knobs and door stops
- Install mailbox
- Install closet shelving
- Install door hardware
- Clean up site
- Wash and vacuum, clean fixtures and windows
Day Eight—Sunday
- Punch out interior
- Finish landscaping
- Clean up house
- Clean up site
Dedication is at 1:00 p.m.
Did You Know?
Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity merged with the Dickson affiliate in 2007. Since then, they have built seven homes, with three more planned for 2011.