Open and Honest
Jeff Crocker, principal of Gainesville, GA-based Brewster & Crocker Architects, has four pieces of advice about finding and growing a great relationship with a designer
First, “Make sure you’re selecting someone that you are comfortable with, that understands who YOU are, that LISTENS and really tries to UNDERSTAND your vision, and one that WORKS FOR YOU, not trying to design their own personal trophies,” he says.
Secondly, keep in mind the “you get what you pay for” saying holds true when assessing fees. “I’m not saying to pay your design consultants top dollar, but I am saying to be prepared to pay a market-competitive fee for a good team,” Crocker says, “and I promise that a good team will save you money in the long run.
Thirdly and importantly, “Be open and honest with your architect about everything – your programming, your attendance and growth numbers, and your budgets – and don’t try to hide stuff because you don’t fully trust them,” he says, adding, “if you don’t trust them, then you shouldn’t have hired them.”
Lastly, remember that the design team does not control construction costs, “But they should be honest and open with you, as their clients, about what the market is doing regarding cost and how it’s trending,” says Crocker. “Be open and honest with yourself” he adds, “and this will lead to an open and honest dialogue with your team about what you can afford to do as a church with the money you’ve been entrusted with.”
Crocker reports that, “One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is that churches want and need usable outdoor ministry space that focuses on building relationships and making connections.” Also trend-wise, “We are still seeing a strong movement in the multi-site church and church plants,” he notes, adding “Many people are intimidated by attending a megachurch – most people want smaller community groups to have and do life with, and the multi-site churches and church plants are providing this.”