Maintaining your Building

In order to maintain buildings as efficiently as possible it is useful to have early warning of potential problems. The Quinquennial Inspection Report helps congregations to do just that.

PCCs are responsible for appointing an Approved Architect or Surveyor to undertake the inspection and the Churchwardens must organise it. The current list of Architects and Surveyors approved to undertake Quinquennial Inspections can be obtained on request from the Church Buildings Office. Guidance on how to go about appointing a new Architect or Surveyor can be downloaded here.

Once the PCC has received the Report, please see our Guidance Note on Quinquennial Inspection Report – what next?

Maintenance

Maintenance is about delaying or preventing things getting to the point of needing repair. The below documents are intended to support parishes in maintaining their church buildings.

Maintenance calendar

Maintenance plan template

Church Buildings Glossary

For further information on maintaining your building please see The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings‘ website.

Churches planning on undertaking any repairs to their building should make themselves familiar with the Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations 2015. A helpful guidance note has been prepared by the National Churches Trust and the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance, and can be downloaded here.

Bats

Advice on Bats

Electrics

DAC Guidance on Electrical Installations

Flooring

Caring for and maintaining old floors

Redecoration

DAC Guidance on redecoration of churches

Slates

SPAB West Country Slate Guidance

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