Frequently Asked Questions about the Blitz Home Builders
How do the Blitz Home Builders decide where to build?
Habitat for Humanity affiliates can contact our Site Selection Committee. We ask the affiliate to fill out an Affiliate Questionnaire in order to help evaluate the affiliate. Many aspects are taken in to account when selecting an affiliate. Some aspects we look at include the amount of staff the affiliate has to support an accelerated build, the families in need, the sponsorships and funding for the houses, the local volunteer support, the construction type, etc. We also look at locations in term of logistics, such as how close to a major airport the build site would be, the availability of lodging in the area, and the weather and climate of the location. Many of our past affiliates have used a BHB Blitz Build as either a Kick-Off build or a Grand-Finale build for a neighborhood or project. A Blitz Home Builders Blitz Build is a great way to spur media attention in your area in order to cultivate volunteers and sponsors for your affiliate. Check out our Media and Awards page to see some of the past articles and new stories about past BHB Blitz Builds.Completed questionaires can be emailed to the Site Selection Committee at info@blitzhomebuilders.org.
How do I sign up for more information on builds?
Simply click on the "Register" link at the top right of the website, and fill out the short form to join our mailing list. There is no obligation to build by joining the mailing list; you can choose to register for a build later if you like.If I sign up for the mailing list, am I obligated to register for a build?
No, signing up to be on the mailing list just provides us with enough contact information so we can send you emails. There is no obligation to register for a build.I've never built anything before, can I still join?
Yes, anyone at any skill level is welcome to join us at a build. All we ask it that you bring a desire to work and a willingness to learn. We’ll send you home with some new skills and a smile on your face.What is the time commitment of a build?
We would love it if everyone attending a build could be there for the full 9 days of the build. There’s something seeing a house spring out of the ground and then to be there when the keys are handed over the new owner. But that is not always possible. So sign up for as many days as you can.How much does it cost to participate in a build?
You will need to cover your travel costs to and from the build site from your home as well as your lodging, approximately $35 per night per person. You should plan on paying for all dinners and some of the breakfasts/lunches. Breakfasts may be included in you lodging and we try to find sponsorships for many of the lunches.Can I bring my kids?
Children under the age of 16 are not allowed on our work site. Children who are 16 or 17 years old are not allowed to run power tools or be on the roofs. If you bring children under the age of 16, you are responsible for their supervision.What does a typical build schedule look like?
A typical build has 8 working days. Workdays 1 through 3 are spent framing the house to what is called "Dry In". That means all the walls are built and standing, the roof trusses are installed. The plywood decking is on the roof, the tar paper is installed on the roof, and the exterior doors and windows are installed. Workdays 4 and 5 are spent installing the house siding, installing the roof shingles, and installing the wall insulation and the drywall. Workdays 6 through 8 is where the house is painted, the interior doors and trim are installed, kitchen and bathroom cabinets and closet shelving are installed, landscaping is done, and the final punch and cleaning are done. Dedication is the morning of the 9th day.We also schedule an off-day during the build, usually between workdays 4 and 5. This gives the volunteers a chance to relax and go sightseeing in the area. It also gives the sub-contractors an extra day to complete some of the rough trade work.
