Help Us Build
It takes individuals, leaders, and groups like you, who are willing to give a day, a month, or several days a year to help turn a truck load of construction materials into a new home for a deserving family. Building a home alongside other volunteers and partner families is a great way to be part of something bigger.
Habitat sets the stage for families and volunteers to come together. A family partners with Habitat and contributes their “sweat equity” or their own labor. A volunteer offers them a hand up, providing the support and the “muscle” that often means homes can be built at considerably lower costs. At a Habitat build site, relationships are formed and friends are made.
Volunteers generally participate in construction Wednesday through Saturday, and no construction experience is necessary. Many first time volunteers have never picked up a hammer! You can get involved on a regular basis and become a Core Volunteer or get involved as often as your schedule allows.
Please note that due to limited availability, build opportunities are reserved for sponsor volunteer groups and Core Volunteers.
To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities, Click Here.
Core Volunteers & Habitat University
Anyone can become a Core Volunteer. No construction experience is necessary. All we ask is a commitment to volunteer once a month. All prospective Core Volunteers must complete our construction training program called Habitat University. All the requirements for Habitat University are listed below including a video of the dedication day where the family closes on their affordable loan and we celebrate their new homeownership, made possible by volunteers like you!
Habitat University Requirements:
• Mandatory Orientation
• Attend a Home Dedication
• 40 Hours of hands-on build site training
• Learn valuable skills in home construction with Dallas Habitat while improving communities and making a difference in the lives of others.
Ready to make a difference?
Since our founding in 1986, more than 3000 families in the Dallas area have realized their dream of safe, affordable homeownership. This is only possible due to the work and dedication of volunteer groups like yours.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, we look forward to seeing you on the build site!
Build Site Age Restrictions
- Under 16 years of age: not allowed on-site during any phase of construction
- 16–17 years old: allowed to participate in construction, but cannot get on the roof or operate power tools; must have one adult supervisor over 21 per 5 youth.
- 18+ years old: allowed to participate in all construction activities
Before you Build
- Get adequate sleep
- Hydrate the day before
- 1Map address in GPS to get familiar with your route
- Save event confirmation email in case you get lost and need to call for directions
Safety Speech
At the beginning of each shift, a safety speech will be presented on-site to inform all volunteers of the risks and precautions they will encounter that day. You must be present for the safety speech to volunteer.
What to Wear
Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Skirts and dresses are not permitted. Dallas Habitat provides hard hats to each volunteer and requires that volunteers always wear them on site.
What to Bring
- Please bring a reusable water bottle with your name. Water jugs will be provided on-site to refill.
- Please bring a sack lunch. Some sponsors choose to provide lunches for the volunteers. Please bring your lunch unless otherwise noted in the event details upon your registration.
- Please lock all personal belongings in your car and plan to keep only your keeps and phone in your tool apron or pocket. You may leave your water bottle on the sign-in table.
- Dallas Habitat provides volunteers with all the necessary tools and equipment for a build day. If you wish to bring your own, please make sure they are clearly labeled. Do not bring any power tools. Dallas Habitat is not responsible for your tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days of the week do we build?
Can we arrive late or leave early?
What should we wear?
Do you provide snacks and lunch?
What type of bathroom facilities are on site?
Do volunteers need previous experience?
What if someone is not comfortable using power tools or other tools?
Age restrictions for volunteers?
Under 14: not allowed
14-15: must have one adult for every 5 youth
16 +: allowed alone
Neighborhood Clean-ups:
Youth under 18 must be accompanied by 1 adult for every 5 youth.
OSB Projects: 14 and up can participate 14 -17-year-old must have one adult chaperone for every 5 youth.
Build Site/Wall Shop: Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Volunteers who are 16 or 17 must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian who will also be volunteering that day. The signature of the minor and the parent/guardian is needed on the Volunteer Release, Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement.