Click on any article to read, or download all 56 articles here.
An investment in good architectural plans can save money
What to look for, questions to ask
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 services and general information on fees
The first step in the design process
The second step in the design process
The final step in the design process
Inspections and Billing Review
Some additional architectural services during construction
Avoiding some construction pitfalls
Planning for the hidden and miscellaneous costs of your new project
Design considerations when planning a balcony
General guidelines for site and building design
Types and use of design specifications
Using allowances when exact specifications are not yet determined
General Contractor or Construction Manager?
The two primary ways of working with your builder
Advice on obtaining construction bids
More advice on getting and analyzing construction bids
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
Considerations on various types of building structural systems
Weighing whether to stay or move
What to look for in a new church site
Use of options and contingencies when buying land or buildings
Description of the services needed for site design and engineering
Types of surveys and testing services the church may need
Dealing with the government and building regulations
The form and function of various committees
The pros and cons of using volunteers to build your church
Considerations for landscaping your church site
Two additional methods of protecting the church during the construction process and beyond
Providing a hedge against cost overruns
Advice on church lighting design
More advice on church lighting design
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
A cost-saving service offered by Design/Build firms, but is usually not offered by Architects without hands-on construction experience
Criteria for determining the land needed for new construction or expansion
Recent changes to the requirements for site development
The importance of professional foundation engineering
Description of the project manual or "spec book"
A brief description of surety bonds to insure the church against contractor defaults
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
Obtaining bids for all labor and materials
Architects offer services, not just a set of blue prints
Criteria used by lenders to determine how much a church can borrow (includes scenarios)
What to look for when deciding on your builder (General Contractor vs. Construction Manager)
Sometimes admitting you don't have all of the answers is the best place to start
How to make sure you are comparing "apples to apples"
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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