Construction Procedure and Costs

[NEC User]

?A friend of mine is part of a religious organization that is considering purchasing an existing building to convert into a simple place to worship. The existing building is 50'x75' structure with ample parking and was formerly an auto body repair shop.
The religious committee wants to see what options are available from the architectural/engineering side; such as cost and extent of design and costs to build so they can factor it into the budget.


Will they need to hire designers, then submit the design for a permit application, then hire contractors to perform installations, and then have the building inspected? Any ballpark figure for this process? Or can they just hire a contractor and then go for inspection? Any ballpark figure for this process?

 

[barclayd]

I recommend they consult with an Architect BEFORE they buy the building. It will be a place of assembly, and there are a lot of rules about exits, fire protection, energy codes, traffic, etc.
db

 

[raberding]

excellent advice!

 

[petersonra]

?A friend of mine is part of a religious organization that is considering purchasing an existing building to convert into a simple place to worship. The existing building is 50'x75' structure with ample parking and was formerly an auto body repair shop.
The religious committee wants to see what options are available from the architectural/engineering side; such as cost and extent of design and costs to build so they can factor it into the budget.


Will they need to hire designers, then submit the design for a permit application, then hire contractors to perform installations, and then have the building inspected? Any ballpark figure for this process? Or can they just hire a contractor and then go for inspection? Any ballpark figure for this process?

So much depends on a lot of factors. Some jurisdictions are pretty lenient on these kind of conversions, others not so much. Being as it is such a small building, you might avoid it being considered a place of assembly if you are careful.

I think your best bet is to raise some money and pay an architect to look at just what you want, can afford, and the building allows for.

Around here there are a bunch of these kind of conversions to small churches that do not appear to have involved all that much in the way of remodeling.

You might start with the local building department. You might also want to talk with other entities that have done something similar if there are some in the same area. If there are similar conversions in the area, that may well be a clue.

I saw a small store front not far from where I live get converted into a church. I saw a permit get taped up inside the window of the store and it was no more than a week or two before the permit was taken down and a sign for the church was out front. Never saw any construction vehicles or sign of any serious construction that went on.

 

[junkhound]

start with the local building department

AMEN! Local rules are king!

There should be someone in the 'religious organization' with some planning skills. Use those resources.

Churches I've been a part of many times used 100% congregation design, planning, and labor; surprising the range of skills one can find in a group of folks if one asks.

As someone who has done the planning and supervision of a large congregational project, the BIG DRAWBACK is the know-nothings who don't do anything but are critical of every decision, down to paint colors! Pays to have a thick skin and forgiveness in your heart if one goes that route <G> PS: I DO NOT take on any tasks like that anymore.

Ballpark figure: this from the above project 20 years ago, so multiply by 3 or so? Originally cong went with an outside archy, his estimate for a 40 ft by 60 ft addition was $132K, everybody gagged at that estimate and went the DIY route. Final total cash cost: about $4000.00 (four thousand) and $500 of that was for permits, etc. 100% volunteer labor, good in-kind material donations, etc. Cong did have engineers and licensed folks as members so that helped a lot.

 

[mgookin]

Start with zoning. Parking will be an issue. You have not only local code to comply with, but it also needs to work for you.

And check with the fire marshal and the b.o. re fire sprinklers; they can be expensive not only for the interior work but the utility construction too.

If those two things pass muster, spend some money on an architect to draw up some plans. You'll need some bathrooms and stuff but you already knew that.

 

[GoldDigger]

Start with zoning. Parking will be an issue. You have not only local code to comply with, but it also needs to work for you.

And check with the fire marshal and the b.o. re fire sprinklers; they can be expensive not only for the interior work but the utility construction too.

If those two things pass muster, spend some money on an architect to draw up some plans. You'll need some bathrooms and stuff but you already knew that.

Our church (sanctuary and office/classroom building) was originally built without ADA compliant bathrooms. It was a tough job getting even one compliant unisex bathroom into the two buildings when a renovation was done.
The commercial space may not have ADA dimensions, depending on its age, but the change in usage may force that requirement.

 

[mgookin]

Our church (sanctuary and office/classroom building) was originally built without ADA compliant bathrooms. It was a tough job getting even one compliant unisex bathroom into the two buildings when a renovation was done.
The commercial space may not have ADA dimensions, depending on its age, but the change in usage may force that requirement.

Churches are usually exempt. It's been a bit confusing I admit. First they were included specifically, then there was a challenge and the challenger won (separation of church and state) so the requirement was removed thereby exempting by exclusion (actually exempt by not including). And of course codes change every day.