I know about the helper and he can't find his tools.
I need to learn some more replies. Some I use are:
What time do you want my help. I've got ? hours/minutes to give you. What exactly do you want me to do. I do have limits; don't do heights (and he shouldn't either), can't crawl (too many surgeries), can't lift weights (again surgeries).
What materials do you need. Do you have them?
What tools do you need? Do you have them and are they in working order?
Where do you plan to work? Is it ready?
Call me when you've got it all ready.