In my last blog I challenged Churches to think about what sort of building projects they should be taking on and the primary motivation behind the dream. In this blog, I want to provide just a few basic pointers based on an assumption that meeting Sunday needs remains an important element of the building project and a primary driver. This is not to contradict myself but to give some practical guidance, benchmarking against other Church building projects.

What size of building do we need?
Typically, the total internal floor area of a church building in square metres needs to be at least three times the target seating capacity of the auditorium if it is to provide suitable ancillary accommodation (meeting rooms, foyer, toilets, kitchen, offices etc)

How much will it cost to build?
UK build cost ranges considerably from region to region, building type to building type, refurbishment to new build etc but at current market rates, you could expect the construction cost of a modest new build masonry building (including all permanent fixtures, heating, lighting, decoration, floor finishes) to range from £2,000 – £2,800 per square metre, add to this professional fees, VAT, loose furniture, audio visual equipment etc and the total project cost could be between £2,500 – £4,000 per square metre.

Are we capable of raising the money?

If a Church is targeting eight times its gross annual turnover for a capital build project, statistically, the project has a good chance of succeeding. That’s not to say that Churches couldn’t or shouldn’t target higher multiples, this would require more faith, more tenacity and care in putting together a robust business case and pursuing fundraising opportunities.

Using these rules of thumb, a Church constructing a new building to seat say 250 would need a floor area of at least 750 sqm, the construction cost could be £1.8m, the total project cost £2.6m and the Church would need an annual turnover of £330,000 to be in a position to raise the money. For many Churches of the size thinking about a 250 seat church building, this might appear unrealistic, does this mean they should abandon hope of a building? Not at all.

There are very many ways to help manage the cost and practicalities of a building project. For example:

• Warehouses make a good investment for Churches. They are relatively low cost to buy and to adapt for Church use on a tight budget

• Existing buildings can be a sensible investment with a lower overall cost to transform into appropriate Church accommodation and can offer temporary ‘work in progress’ accommodation along the way

• Redundant Church buildings are worth looking out for as the denominations that own them will look favourably on a Church group wanting to make good use of the resource

• Phasing a build project allows a Church to grow into the building and to increase its size and financial resource over a period of time (it is essential to plan the phases according to the long term vision and avoid the adhocism that has plagued Church buildings over the centuries). This is usually more costly in the long term but for many Churches, more manageable. Church building projects themselves often grow Churches.

• Careful planning from the very outset of the project is crucially important to demonstrate need, raise the profile of the Church in the community, help raise funds, avoid unnecessary VAT and to make sure that the building is a good fit

Just a few insights that might be helpful to any Church wondering about building.