Your church remodeling or new construction project has many steps that need to be completed. But every project, no matter how long it takes, has an ending! Let’s look at the last steps in a successful church building project and what you can expect to receive from your building contractor during this final phase.
Church Construction Closeout
Some people call this the walk-through (or punch list), but we prefer the word closeout. At the end of the construction process, it’s time to walk through your church building—inside and out—and list anything that’s not working properly, needs finishing, or needs attention before the project is over. Once each item is addressed, you can rest assured that you have a fully functional church building that’s ready for move-in.
Church Building Systems Training
Training is another important element in this final, closeout phase. Church leaders and selected attendees need to know how to use your new or remodeled church building. Your contractor should teach, for example, how to operate the HVAC system (every manufacturer is slightly different), how to program and remotely connect to the thermostat, and when and how to change filters.
One item we like to provide is an operational manual that details maintenance information for various devices like furnaces and kitchen appliances, light fixtures, and recommended lightbulbs. We even include the best way to clean your floors and how to maintain fixtures for long life and reliable functionality.
Church Design Drawings and Building Warranties
In this closeout phase of a church building project is when church leaders should receive red line drawings and warranties. You should have warranties for your roof, flooring, and various appliances. You should also get final church design schematics for your records showing what was actually built. For example, a change during the church construction process will be redlined on your final set of drawings.
These drawings are also important for longer-term planning. You might not refer to them again after the closeout, but if the next generation of church leaders wants to add on or remodel your church building, the architect will need to know about your church building’s construction and the installation of things like pipes, ducts, and electrical and media wiring. The record drawings, which should be stored in a safe and well-labeled location, provide this information.
Whether you’re preparing a church design process or going through the challenges of a church building project, look forward to the closeout phase. To learn more about each aspect of a church design and construction project, sign up today for our free i3 webinars that share more information the entire church building process.