Construction Resources

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 send feedback to constructionsuggestionbox@foxcitieshabitat.org.

A few of the “key” changes are listed below (not a complete list so be sure to check each chapter for all the changes for this year). As usual ALL changes are denoted by the change indicator (“I”) in the left margin and the changes or added text in RED or a “shade of gray” if you do not print in color. 

• Chapter 1: Sill Plates-where bolts interfere with I-joists, cut bolt flush with top of sill plate and add a ½” wedge anchor bolt 6” in either direction. 
• Chapter 5: Upper plate Joints-Ideally should fall on an existing 24” o.c. stud, if not a stud needs to be added. 
• Chapter 5: 42” height wall posts-These posts will be made of 2×4 plus ½” OSB sandwiched in-between. When laying out the wall, make the wall 3 ½” shorter in length and add post to the end. Short post will go through the floor and secured below. Full height post will be installed after ceiling rock is up, it will need to be cut to length. With this post, 2×6 blocking will be installed above where the post will go. 
• Chapter 9: Exterior Door Install-strike plate area, adding extra shims before installing screws.  
• Chapter 10: Bath Fans-centered over the front edge of the tub. To allow for good lighting in the tub. 
• Chapter 10: Cabinet Blocking-2×6 blocking installed between studs. Top of blocking at 84” & 59”. 
• Chapter 10: OH Door Blocking-keep top of blocking 4” down from upper plate. 
• Chapter 10: Tub Flange Blocking-use 2×6 verses 2×4. More area to secure tub flange. 
• Chapter 11: Egress Covers-MUST fit between the basement foamboard and finish skirting and up tight to the foundation. 
• Chapter 11: Garage Sheetrock Metal-Using coil stock. 12” wide by “X” length, fold in half and bend to create a 6” wide double thickness piece. This will be done during siding. 
• Chapter 11: Garage Siding-any nails protruding through the OSB must be cut off with multi tools. 
• Chapter 12: Air Sealing- “Menasha” air sealing will be done on all houses; this is so we are consistent on things. 
• Chapter 12: Tub on Exterior Wall-Insulate and poly this area as soon as shingles are installed. 
• Chapter 13: OH Door Wires-Drill ¼” hole about 1” away from electrical box and pull wire thru. 
• Chapter 13: Ceiling Rock for LR/Kitchen-Snap parallel chalk line from the exterior wall for 1st row. 
• Chapter 19: Base Trim on hard Surface Flooring-hold tight to floor; if needed, use block plane or belt sander to fit trim to flooring. 
• Chapter 19: Platform over Stairs-a piece of base trim will be installed upside down on the front edge of the platform to finish it off. 
• Chapter 20: Storm Doors-for closer install, use #12×3” screws (located in door kit) 

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 2025 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.

The 2027 bid process is now open.

Become a Build Partner

Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity builds new homes and rehabilitates existing ones in Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, and northern Winnebago Counties. Build Partners are the trade contractors who do that work, excavation through finish carpentry, on Habitat-owned properties.

There are two ways to participate; you may use one or both.

Option 1:  Annual new construction bid. Habitat bids all of its new homes at once. The packet is issued in mid-November, with awards by the end of January. Submit a complete bid when you can; if you can’t commit to all homes, still bid and tell us your maximum number and any county or location limits.

Option 2:  Existing home construction by project. An ongoing RFQ process for rehabilitation work, separate from the annual cycle. Qualification forms are accepted any time, even if you aren’t bidding on new construction. Qualified partners may be invited to bid on 4–8 rehabilitation projects on Habitat-owned properties each year, plus 100+ projects annually serving existing homeowners through our other community services.

Build Partners must:

• Hold and provide proof of all required State of Wisconsin and applicable trade licenses.
• Carry general liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), automobile, umbrella, and workers’ compensation coverage, including sole proprietors, naming Habitat as Additional Insured.
• Honor the one-year homebuyer warranty for their portion of the work.
• Comply with OSHA standards and Habitat jobsite safety policies.
• Sign the Ethics & Conduct covenant and complete the Contractor Safety Program, Contractor Checklist & Disclosure Form, and Form W-9.
• Complete the federal compliance forms in the packet, since our projects often mix private, state, and federal funding.

What you get:

• A predictable annual pipeline plus year-round rehabilitation work.
• Payment within 30 days of a properly documented invoice.
• Gift-in-Kind recognition. Show your standard fair-market price and the donated or discounted portion, and we’ll provide an annual charitable contribution statement on request.
• Wisconsin sales and use tax exemption certificate (Form S-211) for Habitat work.
• Onboarding done once; only insurance and COIs need renewal.
• Good-faith outreach to women-owned and minority-owned businesses in every solicitation.

Become a Lead Safe Home Partner

Through a lead grant with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Habitat works with owners, certified contractors, and community organizations to provide lead abatement to qualified homeowners. These are residential projects, interior and exterior, on both Habitat-owned and existing homeowner properties in Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, and northern Winnebago Counties.

Bids are ongoing as projects are identified and funding becomes available. Qualified partners may be invited to bid on 4–8 projects on Habitat-owned properties each year, plus 100+ projects annually serving existing homeowners. We accept qualifications any time and encourage you to submit outside of a project request.

Any company credentialed by Wisconsin DHS for lead abatement is encouraged to bid. We also have funding available for companies and individuals seeking training toward lead abatement certification.

Safe Home Partners must:

• Be a DHS state-certified lead company in good standing (Wisconsin DHS 163).
• Hold current Dwelling Contractor Certification from the Wisconsin DSPS.
• Provide Lead Blue Card licenses — ID and expiration — for all staff performing regulated lead work.
• Have a crew that works lead-safe with skills appropriate to the scope.
• Carry general liability, automobile, umbrella, workers’ compensation, and pollution liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence), naming Habitat as Additional Insured.
• Provide a one-year craftsmanship warranty on each awarded lead hazard reduction project.

Every project involving lead-disturbing work requires an independent third-party clearance test. A passing result is required for completion, and final payment is held until Habitat receives and approves written confirmation. A failed clearance requires corrective action at the contractor’s expense.

What you get:

• No cost to apply for lead risk assessment or abatement work.
• Free business promotion through the application and referral process.
• Reimbursement for training and for certification costs, for you and your workers.
• Payment for lead work within the project scope.
• Pollution protection insurance costs included in the project cost.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel outside your county.

Environmental investigation companies can also be reimbursed for risk assessments and clearances on enrolled properties, for staff training on full risk assessments and clearances, and for out-of-county mileage.

Become a Habitat Repair Partner

Our Home Repair Program supports critical repairs that improve health, safety, accessibility, and housing stability for existing homeowners in Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca, and northern Winnebago Counties.

This program works differently. Habitat acts as funder and agent, not general contractor. The construction contract is between the homeowner and the contractor; Habitat is not a party to it. We advise homeowners during planning, refer qualified contractors from our Preferred Contractor Network, collect bids, conduct site visits and final inspections, and pay contractors directly after verified completion. The homeowner makes the final contractor selection.

Bids are ongoing as projects are identified and funding becomes available. Qualified partners may be invited to bid on 100+ projects annually. We accept qualifications any time.

Repair Partners are expected to:

• Complete the scope within 180 days of loan origination.
• Coordinate scheduling directly with the homeowner and keep Habitat informed of milestones, delays, and concerns.
• Obtain and close all required permits, and pass all required inspections.
• Submit final lien waivers and proof of permit closure before payment.
• Include Habitat on all written updates, including change requests.
• Comply with OSHA requirements and maintain a safe worksite.
• Maintain respectful communication and homeowner privacy — no offensive language, smoking, or inappropriate behavior on site.
• Hold valid Wisconsin licensure, carry general liability of at least $250,000 per occurrence and automobile liability, and carry workers’ compensation with three or more employees.

All work must follow the final signed Scope of Work. Changes must be submitted in writing, approved in advance by both the homeowner and Habitat, and documented in a signed change order. Unapproved changes are not eligible for reimbursement.

What you get:

• Ongoing referrals from the Preferred Contractor Network. Contractors who demonstrate reliability, communication, and mission alignment stay in the network.
• Payment from Habitat directly, not the homeowner, within 30 days of a properly documented invoice. Payments may be tied to verified milestones.
• Coordination support. Habitat handles program administration, documentation tracking, and inspections.
• Gift-in-Kind recognition and an annual charitable contribution statement on request.
• Lighter insurance thresholds than our new construction work, which keeps the program accessible to smaller shops and sole proprietors.

Become a Habitat Facilities Partner

Our own buildings need the same care as the homes we build. Facilities Partners handle maintenance, repair, and improvement work at Habitat offices, warehouse, and ReStore space. Work includes HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, flooring, painting, snow removal, and landscaping.

This isn’t a project-by-project bid cycle. We accept qualifications any time so you’re on the list when work comes up. Bids are based on Habitat-provided scopes and specifications; Habitat specifications govern in a conflict, and substitutions of equal or better quality may be considered with prior written approval.

Facilities Partners must:

• Hold and provide proof of all required State of Wisconsin and applicable trade licenses.
• Carry commercial general liability of at least $250,000 per occurrence and automobile liability with proof of active coverage, and carry workers’ compensation with three or more employees.
• Name Habitat as Additional Insured on all applicable liability policies, clearly indicated on the certificate.
• Sign the Ethics & Conduct covenant and complete the Contractor Checklist & Disclosure Form and Form W-9.
• Provide and support applicable manufacturer or product warranties.

What you get:

• The shortest onboarding of any of our partner programs: five forms, no federal compliance packet.
• Repeat, recurring work rather than one-time awards.
• Payment within 30 days of a properly documented invoice.
• Gift-in-Kind recognition and an annual charitable contribution statement on request.
• Wisconsin sales and use tax exemption certificate (Form S-211) for Habitat work.
• Onboarding done once; only insurance and COIs need renewal.

Volunteers may be present at times; we schedule a limited number to minimize interference.

Become a Habitat Supply Partner

Not every partner swings a hammer. Supply Partners provide the materials behind our homes, including lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, flooring, roofing, mechanical equipment, fixtures, and appliances. This is for supply-only, with or without delivery and installation.

There are two ways to participate; you may use one or both.

Option 1: Annual new construction bid. Habitat bids materials for up to 17 new homes at once. The packet is issued in mid-December, bids are due mid-January, and awards are made by the end of January. All bids and takeoffs are based on Habitat plans. If you can’t supply all homes, still bid and tell us your maximum and any location limits.

Option 2 — Existing home construction, by project. An ongoing RFQ process for rehabilitation work. Qualification forms are accepted any time. Qualified partners may be invited to quote on 4–8 projects on Habitat-owned properties each year, plus 100+ projects annually serving existing homeowners.

Permitted plans and specifications govern in a conflict. Substitutions of equal quality are accepted. The current sample house plan and master construction specifications are posted on our Construction Resources page.

Supply Partners must:

• Be available per the building schedule, and communicate delays or back orders promptly.
• Provide and support all applicable manufacturer and product warranties.
• Complete the Contractor Checklist & Disclosure Form, provide a current Certificate of Insurance, and submit Form W-9.
• Complete the federal compliance forms in the packet, since our projects often mix private, state, and federal funding.
• Invoice with a unique invoice number and the project address, which serves as the PO number.

What you get:

• Volume: materials for up to 17 new homes annually plus a steady rehabilitation pipeline.
• Payment within 30 days of a properly documented invoice.
• Gift-in-Kind recognition, one of the most common ways suppliers partner with us.
• Wisconsin sales and use tax exemption certificate (Form S-211) for Habitat purchases.
• No licensure or jobsite safety program required for supply-only work.
• Onboarding done once; only insurance and COIs need renewal.