A-Z Site Map

Technical and Conservation

• Commissioning Artwork - part 1
• Commissioning Artwork - part 2
• Appointing Architects
• Ecclesiastical Exemption
• VAT on Listed Buildings
• Asbestos
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• Working At Height Regulations
• Oil Storage Tanks
• Health and Safety Risk Assessments
• Electrical inspection and testing
• Fire Safety
• Listed Buildings Advisory Committee
• Faith In Maintenance

Appointing Architects

In the first instance, we always recommend that you contact the architect or surveyor who carries out your quinquennial inspections, as they should already be familiar with your church buildings.  Hopefully, they will also have a good relationship with church members and some familiarity with Methodist procedures.

However, should you decide to approach another architectural practice, the local branch of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) is usually able to help, and should be able to provide you with names of some local architects who also have expertise in ecclesiastical work.  You may wish to contact your regional office of the RIBA to find architects in your locality.

We recommend that several architectural practices are approached, and asked to give a short presentation to the managing trustees.  In this way, it is usually possible for the managing trustees to establish which practice they feel most comfortable with, and also to ask questions in a fairly informal atmosphere, before any formal appointment is made.

The RIBA Clients' Advisory Service offers a free referral service to help you find a suitable architect for your building work. This service will be tailor-made for your project, and will result in a shortlist of RIBA registered architectural practices, to match your criteria.  Visit www.ribafind.org for further information.

Similar services do exist if you are looking for a Chartered Surveyor for your project, and this can be done through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors website at www.rics.org.