FAQ—Builds
2008 Build Dates
- Spring Build: March 1–2, 8–9, 15–16, 29–30, April 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 [Saturdays and Sundays]
- Dickson Build: May 3–4, 10–11, 17–18 [Saturdays and Sundays]
- Builder's Blitz: May 31–June 7
- Summer Build: May 29–31, June 1, 5–8, 12–15, 19–22 [Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays]
- Fall Build: September 6–7, 13–14, 20–21, 27–28, October 4–5, 11–12, 18–19 [Saturdays and Sundays]
- Who builds the Habitat houses in the Nashville area?
- Habitat houses are typically built by volunteers affiliated with the sponsors of each house. Sponsors are companies, organizations, churches or individuals who donate money to cover the cost of materials for the homes. Most of our sponsors fill the quota of volunteers needed to build each house.
- Can I help build a Habitat house?
- On houses where we are short of volunteers, we can incorporate the help of smaller groups and individuals like you! SMALL GROUPS interested in helping on a house build MUST be scheduled in advance on a weekend where there is availability. INDIVIDUALS interested in helping on a build are asked to sign up ahead of time. We can accommodate individual volunteers on almost any build day.
- Can I just show up at the build site?
- We strive to create an atmosphere for a safe, fun, and memorable experience for all our volunteers. Knowing who will be on-site helps make that happen. Please contact our volunteer relations director at 254-HOME (4663) ext. 224 before volunteering so that you can receive updated directions, news and house assignment.
- Is there a minimum age?
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YES! In order to ensure a safe environment for all volunteers at the NAHFH build site and adhere to HFHI insurance policies, we ask that volunteers respect and follow the age guidelines below.
- A person must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer at a build site during a construction day.
- Youth 16 or 17 years old may volunteer at the build site during a construction day only if they are supervised by an adult, with a ratio of no less than one adult for every five youth.
- Youth 16 and 17 may not climb on ladders, use power tools or be on the roof.
- Youth 16 or 17 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a release form prior to volunteering during a construction day.
- These age guidelines apply to any person at the build site during a construction day, including those serving food and doing site clean-up. For insurance reasons, no one under the age of 16 can be allowed on the jobsite during house builds. (Dedication ceremonies and certain non-build day projects are exceptions when there is no construction going on.)
- Where are the houses being built?
- Timberwood is the neighborhood where NAHFH will be building in 2008, 2009 and 2010. It is located in northwest Davidson County, off 1-24 and Briley Parkway at the Brick Church Pike Exit.
Directions to Timberwood »
- How many houses are being built?
- With the help of thousands of volunteers, NAHFH will build 46 Habitat houses in the Nashville area in 2008. We will also fund 15 houses overseas. Depending on when you volunteer, we may be working on anywhere from 4–16 houses at one time.
- What is the time commitment for building?
- You may join us for one build day or more. We kindly ask all volunteers to arrive by 6:30 AM to allow time to park, find your house, and check-in. We put on our tool belts at 7 AM sharp and put the hammers down by about 4:30 PM. NAHFH does not offer split shifts and half days at the build site.
- For reasons of safety, volunteers are asked to commit to a full day so that they receive proper instruction before they begin building. This instruction takes place each build morning.
- The tasks assigned for each build day must be completed that day otherwise we run the risk of falling behind schedule. It takes 25 to 30 volunteers building on each house in order to complete all tasks. Our partner families/future homeowners have given notice at their current residence and depend on us to complete their new house on time.
- Volunteers have shared that their experience is more fulfilling when they build the full day. They felt a little confused and frustrated when they arrived later and missed important instructions. Or they didn't have enough to do on certain afternoons as sometimes we have a highly productive morning and finish up earlier than expected.
Did You Know?
In 2007, Nashville Area Habitat families contributed more than $230,000 in Metro property taxes.
