Volunteers, sponsors and partner families build the West Orange Habitat for Humanity homes.  When a build is underway, the construction of the home is typically done on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Some of the volunteers have extensive building experience and provide guidance and assistance to the non-experienced volunteers.  All tools and materials are provided, but you can bring your own if you prefer.

Each building project is directed by a site project manager.  The project manager will schedule the work to be completed each week and order the supplies that will be needed to complete that work.  This web site will provide detailed information on what was completed and what is expected to be done the following week.

All West Orange Habitat for Humanity houses are built according to the same guiding principles:

Simple.
Habitat houses are modestly-sized. They are large enough for the homeowner family's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs to a minimum.
Decent.
Habitat for Humanity uses quality, locally-available building materials. Habitat house designs reflect the local climate and culture.
Affordable.
The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house sizes and no-profit loans make it affordable for low-income families to purchase Habitat houses.
 

Habitat houses are typically built using wood frame construction, Gypsum board interior walls, vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roofs, and are modestly-sized by North American standards. Habitat’s guidelines dictate that a 3-bedroom Habitat house may have no more than 1,050 square feet of living space.

Habitat for Humanity’s commitment to build with people in need readily extends to those with disabilities. When possible, Habitat houses incorporate basic accessible design features, such as a zero-step entrance and wide passage doors and hallways. Houses built in partnership with families with disabilities include additional accessibility features.