How Much Church Is Too Much?
- Details
- Written by Clarence Shaw
Weighing your church's vision for growth with realistic planning.One of the most exciting times in the life of a church is when God imparts the vision for designing and constructing a new facility. This vision, I believe, is given by God to the pastor; with it there is life, and with that life there is growth. Effectively executing the vision, however, requires realistic and strategic planning. For this, three elements are vital: people, places and provisions.
People. Select a qualified project coordinator-developer from within the congregation or from an outside commercial source. This person should be supported by a small group from the congregation to help develop a "program of requirements" that lists the needs and desires of the congregation related to the new facility. Assemble a team of building professionals, including an architect and a construction manager or a general contractor, that is experienced in the design and construction of projects similar to the one being planned. Involving a construction manager or a general contractor early on will help you during the design process to obtain the best value for your goods and services, and to estimate costs realistically.
Places. Selecting an adequate site and well-located property is essential. To determine the right property size, keep in mind:
Based on this, if the planned auditorium will have 1,200 seats, then about six to eight acres of developable property will be needed. Of that, four to five acres will be needed to provide parking for an estimated 400 to 480 cars. (This will vary with local code and zoning requirements.) Additional parking will be required if multiple services overlap with other meetings.
Determining a facility's size is of utmost importance. The following guidelines are suggested:
Provisions. The costs of the facility are usually divided into the following categories:
1. Construction cost. This includes all site work, parking lots and driveways, materials and labor. Local construction costs and methods of construction will determine this, but the basic cost generally ranges from $120 to $180 a square foot. If the site conditions are challenging, or if high-end interior finishes are selected, the cost can exceed $200 per square foot.
2. Cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment. This includes seating, furnishings, audio, video, theatrical or other special lighting, signs, landscaping and irrigation, telephones, security and IT systems, and any other special equipment required. The estimate for these items is calculated as being 25 percent to 50 percent of the total construction cost.
3. Professional fees. Including architectural drawings; mechanical, electrical and plumbing; structural and civil engineering; interior design; and others, these costs range from about 8 percent to 12 percent of the construction cost.
4. Soft costs. Payments for financing, land development and city-county development fees, these vary project to project.
Remember, nothing can stop a task God directs. Psalm 127:1 ("Unless the Lord builds ...") is the true bottom line.
Clarence Shaw is an architect who has specialized in the design and construction of churches for more than 25 years.
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Comments
Our church is currently in the preliminary steps of a construction project. Are willing to share your list of every single stage of construction that needs to take place and their sequence. I have been trying to put together a list, but it's taking alot longer than first thought.
Thanks,
--Juan
We had some design errors made by the civil engineer which caused problems with the septic system which had to be raised 5 feet. Errors don't necessarily get paid for by those who made them either. We live in New England and winter ups costs as well if concrete blankets and warmers are needed. The most important advice we could give having built a 10,000 sq.ft building on 8 acres, watch every day to see that subs are following prints, have what they need when they arrive and follow in time sequence. Require sign off of every person who does work before paying them. Plan on surprizes by having a 20% contingency budget. Consider steel building not just for the cost of materials but for the shorter duration of the whole project. I recommend more borings to check for ledge, water, underground surprizes. Have a list of every single stage of construction that needs to take place and their sequence chronogically with assigned dates for completion. Don't launch any new large scale ministry objectives until the baby (building) has been fully delivered. Have an overlap of facility usage from old facilities to the new. This helps if you have a larger staff who are IT dependant. Consider interior and exterior signage costs as well. Ron Satrape Churches in the Lead, Eliot Maine 03903
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