Checkpoint #1 - A Feasible Program
What do we really need? What can we afford to do? The architect you engage to design your facility will ask, "What is the program for your new facility?" You need to supply him with more than a wish list. We answer these questions through...
* Demographics of your surrounding community
* Biblical ministry strategies we help you develop
* Space definitions based on your specific functions
* Site analysis to determine development potential
* Development codes applicable to your site
* Financial analysis to project your church funding capacity
Checkpoint #2 - Preliminary Master Plan
We engage a design consultant and church architect to provide a conceptual plan for...
* maximum site utilization in phased development
* unity and quality appearance with worship focus
* site plan, functional floor plan, exterior elevation
* minimal remodeling with future expansion
* efficient traffic flow and functional groupings
* adequate infrastructure allocations without future relocations
* conceptual visuals for submittals and site plan approval
* minimal cost to help you get started
Checkpoint #3 - Funding Capacity
"How do we determine what we can afford to build?" We assist you in answering this question through analysis of...
* per capita income of your church compared to giving potential
* expenditure budgeting distribution of the church cash flow
* balance sheet review to assess the church financial status
* the need for stewardship development, offering this service
* the capacity and wisdom of borrowing funds for building
Checkpoint #4 - Full Architectural Services
You need a church architect who will accept your ministry perspective and program study as the basis for the design, understanding church ministry, cost control, and functional ministry design. We address cost and quality control for church design through...
* a design consultant working with the church architect
* schematic drawings which have interpreted our space analysis
* design development with controlled input from the church
* working drawings with design details for all categories of construction
* bidding and construction documents approved for construction
Checkpoint #5 - Site Engineering
Most communities require a detailed engineering plan for site development. We seek to control the impact of site development on the project budget through a site plan professionally designed to local specifications under the design consultant’s control for...
* parking design
* storm water and pollution control
* landscaping
* utilities plans
* fire protection and road access
Checkpoint #6 - Construction by Construction Management
Church construction management provides the most safeguards for quality and cost control of the church building project. This supervisory process provides...
* competitive bids in each major category of construction
* construction cost breakdown to provide assurance against cost overruns
* direct contracts to subcontractors following proposal revisions
* direct component purchases from manufacturers, with all savings passed on to the church
* on-site construction supervision without general contractor markups
Checkpoint #7 - Choices
Where do you begin to move along this road without hitting major obstacles?
* For a brochure titled Start to Finish which details these checkpoints, contact Discovering Life Ministries at DLMClub@earthlink.net.
* For a representative listing of our church development network of resources and professionals, visit our associates page.
* To receive free bi-monthly newsletters addressing church development topics, add your e-mail address to our mailing list.