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Toolbox Resources

Resources, documents and forms for program participants, contractors and volunteers.

Construction Manual

2023 Construction Manual is Available!

    Below is a short description of Quick Reference & Quality Point Guides and their intended use on the build site:

    • Quick Reference Guides (QR’s) are a one-page summary of steps for performing a specific task (e.g. Installing Interior Doors & Trim).   QR’s are strictly a “what to do” guide or checklist and are designed for individuals who are comfortable and well versed in the task but just need a reminder of “what to do” (vs. “how to do it”).
    • Quality Points (QP’s) help volunteers by providing the expectations for each task as it is performed and completed. QP’s also function as a checklist to review before acknowledging the task is complete.

    If you have any questions or concerns with the Construction Manual, please contact Kevin Gostomski, Construction Supervisor at KevinG@FoxCitiesHabitat.org or (920) 205-1051.

    View or Print Construction Manual

    Safety Manual

    Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity takes safety very seriously. It is our number one priority to keep all of our volunteers, contractors and staff out of harm’s way at all times.

    This 2022 Safety Manual was written as a guideline to work safely on site. Common sense should be used at all times. If at any time you feel unsafe or that something isn’t right, stop what you are doing immediately and talk to a staff member or site leader.

    Mission of this manual:

    • To create safety awareness and a safe working environment for all Habitat volunteers and staff.
    • Construction can be a hazardous activity. It is expected that the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity construction process will be completed without any accidents.
    Download Safety Manual

    Construction Bid

    Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity provides a wide range of housing solutions to low-income individuals and families in our area.

    On average each year we complete 18 new construction and rehab homes in partnership with families through our Homebuyer program and around 50-60 projects in partnership with existing homeowners. Each year, we host a bid process for contractor and material supplier bids for the upcoming build season. For certified lead contractors, Fox Cities Habitat also has lead projects that are available for bidding.

    Thank you for your consideration of our projects located in the Fox Cities. Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization created to provide affordable housing for low-income, hard-working families.

    A Certificate of Insurance is required.

    General Liability:

    Required Coverage and Limits:

    $1,000,000 Each Occurrence
    $5,000 Medical Expense
    $1,000,000 Personal & Advertising Injury
    $1,000,000 General Aggregate
    $1,000,000 Products/Completed Operations Aggregate

    Name Habitat as an Additional Insured with respect to work performed

    Auto Liability:

    Required Coverage & Limits:

    $1,000,000 Combined Single Liability per Occurrence Limit, or
    $1,000,000 Bodily Injury Liability Limit and
    $1,000,000 Property Damage Liability Limit

    Umbrella Liability:

    Required Coverage & Limits:

    $1,000,000 Each Occurrence
    $1,000,000 Aggregate
    $10,000 Self-Insured Retention

    Workers’ Compensation

    Required Coverage & Limits:

    $100,000 Per Occurrence Employer’s Liability Limit
    $100,000 Employer’s Liability Disease/Employee
    $500,000 Employer’s Liability Disease Policy Limit

    Bidding Process

    The link below provides a building plan to base your bids from.

    We are accepting bids for approximately 18 projects per year for the following project types:

    Contractor Bids:

    Excavation, roofing, plumbing, heating, insulation, flatwork, plaster, landscape, gutters and down spouts.

    General Supplier Bids:

    Trusses, windows, doors, drywall, siding, cabinets, countertops, flooring.

    Completed paperwork and bids should be submitted using the info below, and addressed to Roger Roth, Director of Construction or Howie Fuerst, Construction Supervisor.

    Questions can be directed to Roger Roth at RogerR@foxcitieshabitat.org.

    Download Building Plan

    Bids can be sent by:

    Mail: 921 Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952

    Email: RogerR@foxcitieshabitat.org or HowieF@foxcitieshabitat.org

    Fax: 920-954-8390

    Lead Project Bids

    GFCA Habitat for Humanity, Inc., through a Lead Grant with DHS works with owners, certified contractors and community organizations to provide lead abatement services to qualified area homeowners. These are residential projects and consist of a variety of interior and exterior work. We regularly have residential lead projects available for bidding. If you are interested in providing an estimate, please contact us for a current listing of available projects.

    All companies that are credentialed with the State of Wisconsin Department of Health services to perform lead abatement work are encouraged to submit bids for available projects. GFCA Habitat for Humanity, Inc., has funding for construction companies and individuals that would like to secure training leading to certifications in lead abatement work.

    Grantee abatement companies must:

    • Be a DHS state-certified lead company in good standing.
    • Hold current Dwelling Contractor Certification issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
    • Have a crew who works in a lead-safe manner with skills appropriate for the scope of work required by the project.
    • Provide one year craftsmanship warranty on all work conducted for each awarded LSHP lead hazard reduction project.

    Grantee abatement company perks:

    • Free process for completing an application to work on a lead risk assessment or lead abatement project.
    • Free business promotion: On the application process service, promote your business at no cost to you.

    Grantee abatement companies can be reimbursed for:

    • Training: Increase the size of your crew. Get more trained lead workers.
    • Certification: Get reimbursed for your costs for certifying yourself and your workers.
    • Work time: Bill for lead work done as part of the scope of work.
    • Extra insurance: Include your costs of pollution protection insurance in the cost of the project.
    • Mileage: If you travel out of your county for work, you can be reimbursed for your mileage to and from the jobsite.

    Grantee environmental investigation companies can be reimbursed for:

    • Work time: Get reimbursed for the cost of doing risk assessments and clearances on LSHP-enrolled properties.
    • Training: Build your company/crew of trained staff with the skills to complete full risk assessments and property clearances.
    • Mileage: If you travel out of your county for work, get reimbursed for your mileage to and from the jobsite.

    For more information please contact Paul Draxler via email at pauld@foxcitieshabitat.org or phone at 920-277-0227.

    Auto Pay Form

    Use the auto pay form to sign up or make changes to your mortgage or loan payments each month. Return the completed form, with signature, to the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity office.

    Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
    921 Midway Road
    Menasha, WI 54952

    Print Auto Pay Form

    Homeowner Education

    Habitat’s overall goal is to empower families to become knowledgeable and successful homeowners. As a part of Fox Cities Habitat’s sweat equity component, each partner family completes several required homeowner education classes. These classes are designed to prepare families for financial responsibilities of becoming homeowners, how to best maintain their homes and acclimate into their new neighborhoods. 

    Classes and workshop are taught by Fox Cities Habitat staff and volunteer facilitators. Please note that total class time may vary depending on language needs and providing interpreters.

    Education Checklist


    Classes opportunities offered online:

    H&HS E Cigs: https://youtu.be/iK-MoCcCbQU
    H&HS Fire: https://youtu.be/kziq6cLXsE8
    H&HS Police: https://youtu.be/Z_Hx7IiYAcM
    H&HS Mental Wellness: https://youtu.be/1fqpnlRc9Qw 
    Grass Class Lawn Visit: https://youtu.be/FnfeYhP-zmU
    Grass Class Classroom: https://youtu.be/iY5Q5TWCfoY 
    Grass Class Kruegers: https://youtu.be/c4EIdRg-CEw
    Good Neighbor with Cues: https://youtube.com/watch?v=f3KhYYmJh8c
    Construction Basics: https://youtu.be/KyvelVDtDUY

    Homeowner Construction Basics 101

    Construction Basics 101 equips newly approved homebuyers for their first day on a build site. This course is offered multiple times per year, and is a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.

    The course covers a broad range of topics:

    • How a typical build day operates
    • Roles people play
    • How their house gets built
    • Hand and power tool usage
    • Safety
    • Terminology
    • Measuring basics

    View the construction training course catalog.

    If you have any questions on this training program, contact Construction Supervisor Kevin Gostomski at 920-205-1051 or via email at KevinG@foxcitieshabitat.org.

    Sweat Equity

    Sweat equity is the unpaid labor invested by homeowner partners in building their own and other Fox Cities Habitat houses. This has been expanded to include homeowner workshops, community service, working at the Appleton Habitat ReStore and other work that may serve the Affiliate or improve homeowner skills. Sweat equity increases the personal stake of each family member in the home, fosters partnership with Fox Cities Habitat and is a key principle of Habitat in building partnerships across economic, racial and national divisions.

    Each Fox Cities Habitat homeowner in our homebuyer program completes a minimum of 300-500 hours of sweat equity prior to purchasing and moving into their Habitat home. Families with one parent or adult are required to have a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity. Families with two or more adults are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity.

    Volunteer Training

    Senior Crew Volunteers

    For our volunteers who sign up for Senior Crew AND commit to a regular schedule, we offer a range of training opportunities. The 101, 201, and 301 level courses are generally held during February/March of each year at our Education Center and Warehouse.

    Each course has detailed training plans, goals, tools, materials, quality points and more to ensure a complete learning opportunity.

    All 201 and 301 courses are held at our Warehouse for hands-on training on a 10′ x 16′ model house where trainees can install interior doors, windows, siding, soffit, insulation and sheetrock.

    General Volunteers

    For those that are not part of our Senior Crew, we offer on-site training every build day for all experience levels. The only requirement is the desire to learn and help our Habitat families build their future. Learn more about volunteering.