When it comes to church design, the excitement of constructing a new church building can sometimes overshadow the project’s complexities. During the past 50- plus years of designing and building churches, we’ve witnessed various pitfalls firsthand, and we’re offering up some insight to help church leaders of today avoid the mistakes of others from the past.
Our previous post focused on how much a church can afford to borrow. A potential mistake a few churches have made is to take the total amount that can be borrowed and budget a building to meet that number. It’s important to remember that the project budget extends far beyond the cost of the building itself. Here’s how to ensure that you’re accounting for all necessary expenses.
Beyond the Building: Sitework
The construction cost of the church building is usually the largest budget item, but it’s not the only one. Sitework often involves significant expenses that must be budgeted. Whether you’re building new or expanding, consider the costs associated with parking lots, dirt work, water, gas, sewer, and electric lines. Sidewalks, parking lot lights, and other infrastructure elements also add up quickly, and are not typically included in the basic building cost.
Plans, Fees, and Permits
Planning and permitting can be a labyrinth of expenses. Architectural engineering, building permits, and utility fees are just a few examples. These costs can be underestimated and can add up to significant sums. Properly accounting for these items in your budget is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.
Furnishings and Equipment
Once the building is complete, you’ll need to furnish it. Chairs, tables, audio-visual equipment, and specialized items for ministries should be included in the initial project budget. Kitchen equipment, children’s ministry supplies, and other necessities for the functionality of your church can be easy to overlook,too. Be sure to include these in your upfront budget to avoid having to scramble for funds later.
Don’t Forget the Extras: Property, Staff, and Maintenance
Beyond the primary four costs—building, site work, plans and permits, and furnishings—there are additional expenses to consider. If your project requires land acquisition, or if you’re remodeling an existing space, purchasing or renting the property can impact your budget. Moreover, the new building may require additional staff or increased maintenance, and these costs should be factored into your operational budget.
In our next post, we’ll explore why delaying your building project might have hidden costs that add to project expenses. Meanwhile, to help you navigate the church building journey, we invite you to attend our free i3 webinars. A list of topics and sign-up details are available on our website.