Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rebuilding Together provides renovations/modifications that are necessary to ensure the homeowners live in safe, healthy and comfortable conditions. Repairs and renovations range from the modest to more extensive: a fresh coat of paint to a wheelchair ramp – whatever is necessary to meet the homeowners’ basic needs and help revitalize the neighborhood. “Preservation through renovation and modification”. Where homes still stand and can be repaired, it is important to preserve the cultural and historical integrity of these neighborhoods and homeowner legacies. By leveraging volunteer labor and donated building materials, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley can address home renovations and modifications at a fraction of the cost of new construction.
Due to liability requirements, volunteers are required to be at least 14 years of age. Minors must have a parent sign their waiver form and we require one adult for every 6 minors. Those volunteers between 14 and 17 can do general tasks but cannot do excavation, demolition, use power tools or work at heights above 10 feet.
It is the responsibility of the volunteer to arrange their own travel, parking & food accommodations.
While Rebuilding Together do provide a t-shirt to all volunteers, we advise volunteers to wear clothing that may become dirty or torn. Footwear needs to be sturdy and closed-toe and closed-heel. Boots or sneakers are both considered appropriate footwear, however boots are preferable. Wear weather appropriate clothing dependent upon the season. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are always a good idea during the warmer climate seasons. Depending on your project, you may get further instruction about clothing recommendations.
We welcome volunteers of all skill levels. However skilled volunteers are key to a successful project. Skilled volunteers are defined as volunteers with experience in the trades such as Carpentry, Drywall, Concrete/Mason, Flooring, Electrical, Plumbing, Etc. Many of our skilled volunteers are not skilled by profession, but highly efficient “do-it-yourself” types. We encourage all volunteers with any experience to help us as we are always in need.
While we welcome skilled volunteers and want to encourage those in the building trades to join us on site, the majority of our volunteers have few construction skills to begin with. Most of our volunteers remain with us on a long-term basis and volunteer regularly in order to build skills. We will train you in all aspects of construction with the hope that you will continue to volunteer with us, and even perhaps share your skills with unskilled volunteers in the future.
Projects are at all stages of the construction process including framing and finishing to handyman needs. You will not know what you will be working on until the day that you volunteer. Assignments depend on what needs to get done that day, number and skill of volunteers, weather conditions, etc. We ask for a minimum 4-hour commitment from all our volunteers. Sometimes the volunteer experience may last for an entire 8-hour shift. Food is provided for projects that extend past 6 hours. We advise volunteers to notify their volunteer captain on time constraints ahead of time. When volunteers show up late or leave early it makes it difficult for our volunteer captains to properly train volunteers or accomplish the goals for the day. Late arrivals may also cause delays in the start of safety instruction and task assignments. Without instruction and task assignments, late arrivals may be asked to leave.
Cancellations do happen, but it is important that they be minimized. Keep in mind that once you make a reservation our volunteer staff plans the project schedule accordingly. If you need to cancel, please do it as soon as possible.
Each volunteer must complete and bring the volunteer form attached to their liability waiver page.