FAQs:

Who can volunteer for ramp builds?

Groups of 5-10 people from an organization or business may inquire about building a ramp. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate individuals looking to volunteer for ramp builds at this time. 

Must be 17 years of age or older. No prior carpentry/tool experience required.

If you think you have a skillset that could help support RAMPFEST volunteering in a way that is not ramp building, then we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to dsikkema@homerepairservices.org

Do I/we need any carpentry/tool experience?

No! This activity is open to any skill level – we’ll have team members on site to teach you how to use the tools if you don’t know how!

How many people are needed?

We ask for groups of no less than 5 and no more than 10, with 6-8 being the ideal group size. We can make exceptions on this, but generally speaking people will have the best volunteer experience sticking to the 5-10 range.

When are the ramp builds?

Ramp builds are scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date between your organization and Home Repair Services. In most cases, ramp builds take place on a weekday, starting at 9am and typically last until 1-3pm. 

We recommend booking your desired date 3-5 months in advance. Although any day of the work week is possible, we generally prefer Tuesdays or Thursdays. 

The beginning of the RAMPFEST season can start as early as March and go until November.

Where are the ramp builds?

Although most ramps fall within the greater Grand Rapids area, we do service all of Kent County and a ramp could fall anywhere within county lines.

How long does it take to build a ramp?

Groups typically start around 9am and complete the ramp sometime between 1-3pm. We do ask that groups (or most of the group) be willing to commit to this entire timeframe.  

Who do I coordinate a ramp build with, and how far in advance should I schedule?

You can coordinate your ramp build with our volunteer coordinator, Drew Sikkema (dsikkema@homerepairservices.org). For a higher likelihood of getting the date you want, we recommend booking 3-5 months in advance. 

What should I wear to a ramp build?

We recommend dressing for the weather – wearing closed toed shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty in. 

We’ll also have t-shirts available for you to wear as well. 

On sunny/hot days we do recommend wearing a hat or sunglasses (or both). We do provide sunscreen spray. Additionally, we do try to set up tents for shade and fans for air flow on hot days.

Do I need to bring anything to a ramp build?

No – we will provide any tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). This said, if you prefer your own tools or PPE, feel free to bring them!

If you do prefer your own tools, these are the tools we use most regularly: cordless 1/4” impact, drill, hammer, tape measure, circular saw, and sawzall

PPE we provide: gloves, safety glasses, masks, earplugs, sunscreen, and mosquito spray

Additionally, we have nailer aprons we regularly give away to volunteers as well. 

We do supply water/sports drinks at ramp builds, but you are welcome to bring your own water bottle if you’d like.

Are restrooms on site?

No, unfortunately we do not have any restrooms on site. Generally speaking we are typically not too far from a store or gas station if someone needs to drive and use a restroom. 

Do we need to bring lunch?

No – we will provide a pizza lunch typically sometime between 11am-12pm. If anyone has any dietary restrictions, please try to communicate this to the volunteer coordinator in advance. If you have dietary restrictions that normally cannot be accommodated by a pizza place then we would recommend bringing lunch.

We also will typically try to provide donuts and coffee in the morning as well as water and sports drinks throughout the day.

Can we invite our media team to come take photos/video?

Definitely! We have our media team member come to each ramp build as well to capture photos and videos that we will send out to you after the event.

What can you tell us about the client we’re building a ramp for?

To respect our client’s privacy we can often share only very limited information. Do not expect that the client will come outside to talk/socialize, but if they do, feel free to take time talking with them! Leave it to them to share as much or as little as they’d like about their circumstances.

What if inclement weather is forecasted for our ramp build day?

This is very situational and something we’ll work with you on to determine if we can proceed with the build or not. In the event we determine we cannot proceed, we also cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to reschedule (although we’ll try our best!). 

How much does it cost to build a ramp?

In 2025, our average cost was approximately $4,600 including labor and materials.