Attending The McKnight Group’s i3 webinars is a great way to get answers to your church design and church building questions. Our last post addressed some of the questions asked during the recent i3 webinar on building your dream church. But there were a few additional questions focused specifically on costs associated with church building projects. We answer them below.
Q. What is the average cost per square foot for new church construction?
The answer depends heavily on geography and project complexity. Since The McKnight Group is located in the Midwest, our estimates are based primarily on projects in that region, though costs can vary nationwide.
If we are talking strictly about building construction costs, churches in the Midwest are typically seeing numbers ranging from about $200 to $275 per square foot. That range reflects differences in design choices. A more straightforward facility with basic finishes will land toward the lower end, while a more architecturally complex or highly detailed church design will trend toward the higher end.
However, church leaders should remember that construction costs are only one piece of the overall project budget. The others are site costs (grading, utilities, parking, etc.), fees and permits, and furnishings and equipment. When all are included, a typical total project budget often lands between $330 and $375 per square foot.
Another important factor to remember is building size. Square-foot estimates tend to be most accurate for buildings 5,000 square feet and larger. When projects get smaller than that, the numbers become less predictable because certain fixed costs are spread across fewer square feet.
For example, if a church were building a small 1,000-square-foot structure, the cost per square foot could jump dramatically, sometimes $400 to $500 per square foot, simply because expensive components like plumbing or specialized fixtures are concentrated in a smaller space.
For most churches planning a full facility, though, the 5,000-square-foot-and-up guideline provides a reliable framework for early planning.
Q. Is there a rule of thumb for estimating cost of owner furnishings?
Owner furnishings refer to all the items that go into the building but are not part of the core construction itself. This can include things like:
- Audio/visual systems
- Seating or chairs
- Tables and furniture
- Worship equipment
- Technology systems
Because these items vary dramatically from church to church, there really isn’t a
universal percentage or formula that applies to every project. We typically evaluate furnishings on a case-by-case basis. Once we understand how a church plans to use its spaces, we can help estimate appropriate costs for the specific equipment and furnishings required.
Q. What would be a typical range of costs for architectural engineering services from design through construction?
These services include the professional work required to design the building, prepare detailed construction documents, coordinate engineering systems, and guide the project through construction.
While the exact structure can vary by firm, a typical range for architectural and engineering services is about 6% to 7% of the total construction cost. Size can once again affect the cost where the larger the project is the percentage can decrease.
Some organizations structure their fees differently. At The McKnight Group, we often separate certain components of the process. For example:
- The design phase may be handled through a fixed fee based on the scope of work.
- The architectural construction documents, which include the detailed plans used for permitting and construction, typically fall within the 5.5% to 6% range.
Altogether, most churches can expect the total architectural and engineering investment to land within that 6–7% range, though the exact structure may vary depending on project scope and complexity.
Continue Learning with Our i3 Church Building Webinars
Planning a church facility can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Our free i3 webinars are designed specifically to help church leaders understand every phase of the church building and church design journey. To see upcoming topics, visit our website and sign up.