Articles

Click on any article to read, or download all 56 articles here.


The Value of Good Plans

An investment in good architectural plans can save money


Selecting an Architect

What to look for, questions to ask


Master Plans

Planning for long-term growth by building in phases


Architectural Plans - What's In, What's Out

What to expect to be included in your building plans


Architectural Fees

Architectural services and general information on fees


Conceptual Design Phase

The first step in the design process


Design Development Phase

The second step in the design process


Construction Plan Phase

The final step in the design process


Inspections and Billing Review

Some additional architectural services during construction


Getting What You Pay For

Avoiding some construction pitfalls


Soft Costs

Planning for the hidden and miscellaneous costs of your new project


Balcony Seating

Design considerations when planning a balcony


Thumb Rules

General guidelines for site and building design


Specifications

Types and use of design specifications


Allowances

Using allowances when exact specifications are not yet determined


General Contractor or Construction Manager? 

The two primary ways of working with your builder


The Bid Process - Part I

Advice on obtaining construction bids


The Bid Process - Part II

More advice on getting and analyzing construction bids


Change Orders

Managing changes during construction


Construction Ahead - Expect Delays

Begin early, plan thoroughly to reduce delays and costs


Americans with Disabilities Act - Part I

Some design considerations for handicap accessibility


Americans with Disabilities Act - Part II

How the ADA might affect your church project


Super-Structure

Considerations on various types of building structural systems


Remodel or New Building?

Weighing whether to stay or move


Selecting Your Church Site

What to look for in a new church site


Purchasing Your Church Site

Use of options and contingencies when buying land or buildings


Civil Engineering

Description of the services needed for site design and engineering


Surveys and Testing

Types of surveys and testing services the church may need


Permits and Zoning

Dealing with the government and building regulations


Building Committees

The form and function of various committees


Volunteered Labor

The pros and cons of using volunteers to build your church


Landscaping

Considerations for landscaping your church site


Warranties and Retainage

Two additional methods of protecting the church during the construction process and beyond


Contingencies

Providing a hedge against cost overruns


Let There Be Light - Part I

Advice on church lighting design


Let There Be Light - Part II

More advice on church lighting design


Environmental Concerns

Environmental issues require attention when buying or developing land for your new church. 


Phase One Environmental Assessment

Preliminary environmental assessment that is often required when buying land or building a new church


Value Engineering

A cost-saving service offered by Design/Build firms, but is usually not offered by Architects without hands-on construction experience


How Much Land Do We Need?

Criteria for determining the land needed for new construction or expansion


Site Development

Recent changes to the requirements for site development


The Plans Nobody Cares to See

The importance of professional foundation engineering


The Project Manual

Description of the project manual or "spec book"


Payment and Performance Bonds

A brief description of surety bonds to insure the church against contractor defaults


Feasibility Studies

An objective method for comparing the options available to the church for growth


Design in Three Dimensions - Part I

The use of color renderings by an artist


Design in Three Dimensions - Part II

Computer 3D models and the virtual reality world


Design in Three Dimensions - Part III

Pros and cons of a hand-built-to-scale model for presentation


Bidding

Obtaining bids for all labor and materials


Can We Buy Your Plans?

Architects offer services, not just a set of blue prints


What Can We Afford? 

Criteria used by lenders to determine how much a church can borrow (includes scenarios)


When Hiring a Builder

What to look for when deciding on your builder (General Contractor vs. Construction Manager)


Getting Started

Sometimes admitting you don't have all of the answers is the best place to start


Cost Per Square Foot

How to make sure you are comparing "apples to apples"


Six Reasons to Start Now

A slowing economy offers the church several opportunities and benefits for starting the planning and construction of your new church


Choosing a Color Scheme for Your Church

How to make the best use of color in your interior design



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