Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Bali - Ubud
Want to roll up your sleeves on a Construction and Renovation project in Bali - Ubud? International Volunteer HQ’s Construction project enables volunteers to gain experience and skills in building, renovation and maintenance at schools and community spaces in the lush Ubud area. These initiatives need hands-on help to build new facilities and improve older ones so they can continue the vital work they do supporting local communities.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from CA$940 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Build, paint, restore and upgrade important community facilities
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Explore Ubud’s ancient temples and rice terraces
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Stay with other volunteers in scenic villages near Ubud
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Bali has been growing at a rapid pace for some time and infrastructure has struggled to keep up with population growth. There is demand for new schools and community buildings, but getting them built can take a long time. By volunteering to help with building and renovations, you can help to fast-track projects that will serve the local community.
As a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Ubud, you’ll assist local teams with the building and renovation of schools and community spaces and be able to see the visible difference you make.
Construction and Renovation volunteer work varies, but tasks may include:
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry and building
- Painting
- Gardening and landscaping
- Tiling
Public holiday dates for 2023:
- 21st to 23rd March 2023: There will be no volunteer work available during this time, on Nyepi day all restaurants close and even the airport is officially closed and you may be required to stay at the volunteer accommodation.
- 31st July to 12th of August 2023: During this time, the standard volunteer work is not available. Volunteers instead participate in cleaning, repairs and renovation activities in local schools for approximately 4 hours a day and have the remainder of their time free to enjoy the festivities.
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Ubud with IVHQ?
By being a volunteer builder in Ubud, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping build invaluable community spaces
- Supporting local projects which serve low-income communities
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining building and renovation skills and experience
- Immersing yourself fully in Balinese life
- Exploring Ubud’s rich culture and natural environment
Volunteer requirements
- It is important to note, all volunteers joining the Bali program must obtain the Social Cultural Visa (B-211). This type of visa is required to join the program, no matter your nationality or duration in Bali. The visa can typically take up to 15 working days to process and once registered you will be provide with instructions on how to apply for this visa.
- To respect the local culture and customs in Bali, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit”Working with the local construction team and the other volunteers was my favorite moment. We build such a wonderful bond and we genuinely had so much fun on site every day. I never imagined being covered in dirt and sweat would be so much fun. We accomplished so much together and it was incredibly hard work everyday but even more rewarding! I learned to slow...” read more
Dana, American, 36
Read reviews from Construction and Renovation volunteers in Ubud
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Location
Set among lush rice paddies and ancient temples, IVHQ’s Ubud program will send you back in time. The 14 villages that make up the historical town of Ubud have streets lined with statues and ornate temples that ooze old-world charm. Ubud is also known for its artistic flair, with countless art galleries, artists’ workshops, craft shops and markets to explore.
Arrival and orientation
The Bali volunteer program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Bali on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are in Bali prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Ubud or Denpasar on the day before your program orientation.
There are two options for orientation for the Bali - Ubud Program:
1-day Orientation:
The 1-day orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting with the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day. Volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project choosing this option will need to arrive into Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on the Sunday before 1pm. As you will be transferred straight to Nusa Penida for your one-day orientation the following day.
5-day Introduction Week:
The second option is Introduction Week, hosted by our Bali team in Ubud. The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Bali, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off a must-do Bali experiences! The Introduction Week will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers head to their placements. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch. |
| 2:00 PM | Volunteers resume work between 1-2pm for a further 2 hours. |
| 5:00 PM | Volunteer work finishes. Volunteers are free to visit local sites or go shopping. |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Please note, this schedule can vary depending on the work needed at the time
Weekends
Whether you’re into arts and crafts, ancient history, exploring nature or after an adrenaline rush, there’s plenty to satisfy you in and around Ubud. You can fill your weekends with statues, museums and temples, hiking to the summit of Mt Batur, seeing waterfalls, snorkeling, white-water rafting, art galleries, shopping at markets or visiting small farms and rice paddies.
Ubud’s central location also makes it easy to get to other places in Bali like the capital city of Denpasar and the glorious beaches and villages that line the southern coast - all less than an hour away by taxi.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll be staying in volunteer houses, located about 15 minutes’ drive from central Ubud. Set in small villages, it’s a great place to see typical Balinese life.
Living conditions are comfortable and all volunteer houses have fans in the bedrooms. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with four to eight other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender. The bathroom is shared with a hot water shower and western toilets.
WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and there are great internet cafes in Ubud if you would like to access a higher speed connection.
Meals
Volunteers are served mainly Balinese style dishes and should expect light vegetarian meals like:
- Rice, fresh vegetables and occasionally tempeh/tofu
- Nasi goreng (fried rice and vegetables - often considered as the national dish)
- Mie goreng (fried noodles and vegetables)
- Gado gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce)
Western meals may be served during the week. Breakfast can include fresh fruit, toast, and eggs. Tea, coffee, and toast will be available throughout the day. Purified drinking water is also available in the volunteer house; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water.
On weekdays you’ll get three meals a day, but during the weekend only breakfast and dinner are provided. If volunteers wish to eat out in Ubud, there are a large number of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and need to be as flexible as possible. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | CA$940 Equivalent to CA$67/day |
| 3 weeks | CA$1267 Equivalent to CA$60/day |
| 4 weeks | CA$1601 Equivalent to CA$57/day |
| 5 weeks | CA$1921 Equivalent to CA$55/day |
| 6 weeks | CA$2213 Equivalent to CA$53/day |
| 8 weeks | CA$2789 Equivalent to CA$50/day |
| 10 weeks | CA$3366 Equivalent to CA$48/day |
| 12 weeks | CA$3942 Equivalent to CA$47/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$463) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Bali - Ubud generally find US$80-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
Recommended activities and tour add-ons
We believe that no volunteer adventure would be complete without experiencing the natural and cultural wonders of your host country. That’s why we offer an exciting Introduction Week to IVHQ volunteers in Bali as an affordable add-on.
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud Program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules and expectations, safety and a Ubud walking tour (2 - 3 hours). This will be followed by a welcome dinner and Balinese dance show |
| DAY 2 | Bahasa Language lesson and a Batik painting class |
| DAY 3 | Indonesian cooking class and Bahasa Language lesson |
| DAY 4 | Local village walk through the countryside and nearby rice fields, Garba Cave and an Indonesian flower making class (flower offerings are a daily ritual in Bali) |
| DAY 5 | An introduction to your project which will help you prepare for your placement on Monday. Followed by a Temple visit to “Pura Tirta Empul”, the Holy Water Temple where you can enjoy a swim in the Holy Water |
*Turtle Conservation volunteers who join this week will go to Nusa Penida on Sunday to start their project and volunteers in Ubud will prepare for the start of their projects the following week.
The introduction week has an additional cost of US$358 which includes all orientation activities, meals, and accommodation.
Please note the introduction week is not included as part of your program duration. So if you want this to be part of the total amount of weeks you spend on the program, please let us know.
How to book IVHQ’s recommended add-ons:
Ready to join? Please see the add-on options in your MyIVHQ checklist or email your IVHQ Program Manager and they will add this to your file.
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Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Denpasar |
| Population | 4.22 million |
| Languages | Bahasa Indonesia |
| Currency | Indonesia Rupiah (IDR) |
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
Weather and climate
Bali has a tropical climate with year-round warm weather and an average temperature of 30°C (86°F). High humidity can be expected during the wet season from October to April. The dry season is between the months of May and September and has the lowest humidity.
