Question 1

What is the Resource Guide?

Accepted Answer

Our resource guide is an 80 page download that contains 50 representative church plans of a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles.

The Resource Guide contains:

Sanctuaries which accommodate anywhere from 100 to over 1,000 people
Churches with half- and full-court gymnasiums (Gymatoriums)
Multi-purpose buildings
Traditional and contemporary church designs
Plans for rectangular, square, and even octagonal buildings
Christian schools and Christian education

More information?

Question 2

How do I order the Pre-Planning Tool Kit?

Accepted Answer

That's easy! 
Click on the Plans Page and select the plan that best fits the Church's needs.  Pay for the plan and you will receive your PDF download immediately.

Question 3

How do I know we have received the right Took Kit for our Church?

Accepted Answer

The good news is, any of the tool kits will work for your project, but If you are struggling to decide which plan to choose, you can contact CDS to help you.

All tool kits contain the same vital information regarding the building process, needs & feasibility, finance, design and more as well as who we are as a company.

Question 4

What if we want a different floor plan than those available for the standard Tool Kit?

Accepted Answer

You should not need a different plan as you are currently in the pre-planning stage where it's most important to get wisdom on the relationship between space, ministry, and cost.  Each resource guide contains the information you need for your project regardless of the actual plan selected.

Question 5

How do we know if we are on track regarding growth and time?

Accepted Answer

We will be checking in with you periodically by phone, zoom and email to be sure you're on track. If additional consulting is required, you may opt for more time with our representatives on an hourly basis.

The Church can see the progress of the entire process through Buildertrend, where we keep everyone informed on a daily basis.

Question 6

How can we get the rendering and floor plan reproduced for presentation to the church?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways to do this. Most communities have a FedEx, Office Depot, Staples, or other print shops. If you cannot find one, DCP can get your information reproduced and ship it to you, however, it will save you time and money if you have these printed locally.

Question 7

We are a large church... Can we still use the Pre-Planning Tool Kit?

Accepted Answer

The information contained in the tool kit will have some value, however, the purpose of the tool kit is to help you move from pre-planning to the planning phase. As such the PPTK will not have the same implementation value as a specific plan designed for your church. Items like local codes, soil condition, economic demographics, architectural features, and the lending environment have not been taken into consideration.

Question 8

Can we build from the plans in the Tool Kit?

Accepted Answer

No. The plans provided in the tool kit are schematic drawings that are not for construction.

Question 9

Can we get a loan based on the information in the Tool Kit?

Accepted Answer

Though you will not be able to get a commitment letter from a lender with the tool kit, we believe you will be able to determine how much you will qualify for. This will give you an advantage because you are employing a proven strategy for growth.

Question 10

Does my Church Qualify for a CDS Pre-Planning Tool Kit Grant?

Accepted Answer

Church Development Services is offering grants to qualifying Church's for the Pre Planning Tool Kit.

If you are interested in our grant program, please visit the grant page to complete an application.

To qualify for the grant, we are looking at the size of your current church, your estimated annual tithes/giving and the plan you are interested in.

Question 11

How much do the sets of drawings cost?

Accepted Answer

Part of what Church Development Services does is act as a good Steward both as a faith based company and as someone who wants your project to succeed.  We can sell you plans, but we need to make buyers aware that selling plans without being involved on the process can add unnecessary costs to your project as the plans may not fit the acquired land, may need too many adjustments to be in regulation for your location and many other factors that go into a Church development project.

On average plans can cost $6.00 and up PSF (estimated).  (It is ok to make changes to the plans as long as changes remain within the footprint and there are no structural changes)

Your purchased plans include:
Three (3) sets of sealed prints plus one (1) electronic set of plans in PDF format which include:
Floor Plans
All Four (4) exterior elevations
Foundation plan
All construction details
Window schedule and details
Room finishes
Kitchen & bath details
Mechanical, Electrical and plumbing plans
Specifications (a separate book is not included - all specifications are included on the plans)
Plans are sealed by a licensed architect in your state and read to obtain a building permit.

If you are interested in purchasing plans, I would recommend you first visit our affiliate company,  Digital Church Plans and purchase the Pre- Planning Tool Kit which offers a ton of information on the Church building process and can save you time and money.

Question 12

What will the completed drawings include?

Accepted Answer

Three (3) sets of sealed prints, plus one (1) electronic set of plans in PDF format which include:
Floor Plans
All four (4) exterior elevations
Foundation plan
All construction details
Window schedule and details
Door schedule and details
Room finishes
Kitchen and bath details
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans
Specifications (a separate book is not included - all specifications are included in the plans)
Plans are sealed by a licensed architect in your state and read to obtain a building permit.

Question 13

Are the plans and specifications in compliance with our local codes?

Accepted Answer

Yes...Absolutely!  Our architects research the specific requirements for your area, and modify the plans and specifications as necessary at no additional cost.  The plans are guaranteed to meet or exceed the local building codes.  Changes required by the local building department in order to get a building permit are provided at no additional cost. Our information comes from our experience of working with over 500 churches and 30 years of building and developing church properties.

Digital Church Plans

Frequently asked questions