 |
10-11-2007, 09:39 AM
|
#1
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Looking for work
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
|
habitat for humanity
Anybody ever do it before? I am going to try it out tomorrow since i am just waiting for my job and I wouldn't mind working on a house.
|
|
|
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury
or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!
Join the #1 Contractor Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
ContractorTalk.com - Are you a Professional Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's the leading place for contractors to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up. No matter what your trade is you'll find that ContractorTalk.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free!
Join ContractorTalk.com - Click Here

|
10-11-2007, 10:10 AM
|
#2
|
|
Mod / ArchiBuilder
Trade:
Design/Build Construction
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ArkLaTexOma
Posts: 6,373
|
Yeah, what do you want to know about it?
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 10:16 AM
|
#3
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Looking for work
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
|
Just if anybody has done it. I am looking to learn some construction but also glad I will benefit people also.
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 10:21 AM
|
#4
|
|
Mod / ArchiBuilder
Trade:
Design/Build Construction
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ArkLaTexOma
Posts: 6,373
|
You will get out of it, what you put into it!
It is a very rewarding experience, have fun most of all!
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 10:32 AM
|
#5
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Looking for work
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole
You will get out of it, what you put into it!
It is a very rewarding experience, have fun most of all!
|
I will. Thanks a lot.
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 10:46 AM
|
#6
|
|
Pro
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hennessey, Oklahoma
Posts: 4,854
|
We do the insulation and some of the specialized work in the Habitat homes in my area. It is a great place to show your willingness to learn, in front of contractors who may be looking for a new guy.
__________________
Ladwig Construction Hennessey, Oklahoma 405 853 1563
Ladwig Insulation & Construction Services Serving Oklahoma Statewide 405 314 5802
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 11:01 AM
|
#7
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Looking for work
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by joasis
We do the insulation and some of the specialized work in the Habitat homes in my area. It is a great place to show your willingness to learn, in front of contractors who may be looking for a new guy.
|
I never thought of that. It could also be a good networking tool also.
Good advice thanks!
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 11:55 AM
|
#8
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Consultant
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Holly Springs, GA
Posts: 1,011
|
I did some work on a HFH house in college, and it was pretty cool. Lately though, it seems like they're more interested in getting large groups of know-nothings from companies that will throw some $$ into the mix than guys who know what they're doing. I sent numerous requests to the local chapters in NJ over the past few years, explained my background, listed the tasks I'd be willing to help with (just about anything), and got absolutely zero response. Pretty sad, actually....
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 02:45 PM
|
#9
|
|
Pro
Trade:
carpentry / fencing / decks
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Savannah, Ga
Posts: 1,017
|
A contractor I worked for quite a few years back (when I was a hourly framer) did the framing on a Habitat house every year. I always declined helping out because of the chaotic conditions. He'd have a few of us from his custom home crew along with numerous Mexicans from his track home crews go at it. Poor communication lead to long aggravating days (from what the people that helped out said). Here they have competitions to see who can build the house fastest. Imagine 5 or 6 small houses being slammed together in a day, each one having 15 to 20 people climbing over each other to get done the fastest while not being able to understand what more than half of them are saying.
NO THANK YOU!
|
|
|
10-11-2007, 08:33 PM
|
#10
|
|
Framerbitch's Nemesis
Trade:
NA
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: North Pole
Posts: 105
|
I'm the builder for HFH in our county... We do one house a year, working mostly on Fridays and Saturdays.
At first I thought it was a really good thing, but I'm quite discouraged with it after doing it for a while.
Reasons?
#1 Pompous know-nothing admistration that DOES NOT work together.
#2 Lazy recipients. I've put in many hours on this build. The owners have put in four, yes 4 hours.
#3 It's really not that good a deal for the recipients.
#4 No volunteers.
#5 The volunteers I do get want to hammer. That's it. No marking, measuring, cutting, or thinking, period. I'm surprised I don't have to hold each individual nail for them.
I don't mean to come off as bitter about this. I really want it to work...
Ben
|
|
|
10-12-2007, 09:22 AM
|
#11
|
|
Pro
Trade:
CE Project Engineer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Mountain Home ID
Posts: 173
|
hey,
i have been working with HFH for a couple of months every other weekend. i haven't been impressed with them at all they seem very unorganised and cobble wobble some of their stuff. granted i am in the military and i am use to a little more order and dicipline. but when i show up for a job i kinda expect to have work lined up to do, since you have to call in advance. instead i tend to find myself looking for work to do while i am there.
__________________
Higgins
"The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war."
-- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990)
|
|
|
10-12-2007, 09:29 AM
|
#12
|
|
Pro
Trade:
CE Project Engineer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Mountain Home ID
Posts: 173
|
has anyone had any other experiences with building/relief volunteer organizations. i have thought about trying to start my owner or something along those lines but not sure if i want to put the time in. cause i am getting a little tired of trying to volunteer and than getting put with a crew chief that doesn't care or has no idea what is going on.
__________________
Higgins
"The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war."
-- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990)
|
|
|
10-12-2007, 10:50 AM
|
#13
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Supply
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Morris County, NJ
Posts: 138
|
my supply company donates to HFH. They aren't picky and it's nice to help out.
|
|
|
10-12-2007, 12:03 PM
|
#14
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Interior Decorator/Painter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Simcoe, Ontario
Posts: 153
|
I'm currently on the Family Selection Committee in my area for HFH and started with them painting our area's first build. Our second build will be started next spring where I hope to swing a hammer or two.  All partnering families have to sign an agreement to put in 500 hours of sweat equity and agree to the terms of the mortgage. The 500 hours can come in the form of actually helping to build their home, another HFH home, admid stuff, cooking ect. It's not always about helping with the build because not all people are capable.
I found it very rewarding.
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|