Why use a professional firm?

I've recently started working for a company that exclusively designs and builds church facilities. They've been around since 1969 and have built over 1,000 projects in that time, so they are a highly reputable firm with a wonderful track record.

Recently I spoke to a pastor whose church has chosen to "borrow" another churches building plans for their new facility. He said they have been looking around and taking notice of buildings they liked and didn't like. On several occasions, the same building seem to crop up. Upon closer inspection, they discovered it was actually the same building plan that was built in different locations. After talking with one of those churches, they discovered they could get access to those plans at no cost for their next building.

It seems like a reasonable idea - borrow plans to save money. However, does it really work that way and is that the best way to approach something as important as a new facility?

Respectfully, anything that saves money can be helpful and I certainly don't blame that pastor for trying. However, here are three very important reasons for using a professional company, like Cosco and Associates, instead of borrowing someone else's plan.

1. One size doesn't fit all. It will actually save money in the long run to use a professional firm to draw a Master Plan for each church specifically designed toward that church's future needs and property configurations. From that plan, that church can maximize every inch of its property for ministry. Using such a plan can reduce the amount of money that must be spent bringing older buildings and parking lots into line with new additions. And, it can help a church to not under or over build during a particular project (sometimes saving hundreds of thousands of dollars).

2. Borrowed plans aren't always free. Even if one church gives their working drawings to another church without charge, someone still has to modify those plans to fit the contours of the property in question and to submit to authorities for approval. If those plans are stamped, reputable architects cannot make such changes without the approval of the owner (architect). With all that, it can be less costly just to start from scratch than "revise" an existing plan.

3. Finally, the right professional firm can customize a building for the budget and space needed. Cosco and Associates, for example, not only has its own architectural department, they also have their own construction department. This means there is no guessing what something will cost when its designed (like most architectural firms do before they submit a plan out for bids). That's how Cosco and Associates can offer a guaranteed maximum price after a design is agreed upon. There are no expensive change orders needed and the church knows exactly what it will pay before they enter into a project. Because there is no competition between the architectural firm and the construction company, the work is done to exact specifications and the end-result is exactly what was expected. Translation: no wasted dollars! No disappointed church members! And, no loss of contributions because "what we got wasn't what I committed to give to."

There are plenty more reasons than just these three, but that's a start. For more information on why your church should use a professional firm like Cosco and Associates, go to our website (www.churchdesign.com). You can see plenty of examples from: Sanctuaries & Worship Centers; to Family Life Buildings; to Educational Complexes; to total Master Plans that we've done over the years. Give us the opportunity to speak with you about how we can help your church get the facility of its dreams while saving money for ministry!