Articles, videos, podcasts, and tools to help you navigate the church building process with confidence.
Enter the password provided by HCMI to view the resources library.
Need access? Contact us at office@churchbuilder.ca or call 519-509-6363.
Plan your entire church building budget online — enter estimates across all cost categories and see subtotals, contingency, HST with PSB rebate, and a visual cost breakdown calculated automatically.
Launch PlannerIn-depth guidance on planning, budgets, and design.
16 ResourcesProject tours and educational walkthroughs.
4 ResourcesListen and learn from 50 years of experience.
4 EpisodesDownloadable PDFs and checklists.
9 ResourcesBudget templates and planning spreadsheets.
5 ResourcesHow to form a building committee, define your vision, and begin the planning process.
What to expect in terms of costs, how to structure your budget, and common areas where churches overspend.
Ontario's planning process, site plan approvals, and zoning considerations for places of worship.
How multi-phase construction works, with real HCMI project examples.
Why versatile spaces that serve multiple functions are essential in modern church facility design.
Campaign timelines, financing options, and how to align fundraising with your build schedule.
Cost comparison, structural assessment, heritage considerations, and a decision framework for your congregation.
Universal design principles, hearing loops, wayfinding, and inclusive spaces for all ages and abilities.
Sound systems, projection, livestreaming, and why AV planning must start early in design.
Ontario energy codes, HVAC options, solar panels, and how efficient design reduces operating costs.
Options for maintaining ministry continuity, logistics, and keeping the congregation engaged.
Builder's risk, liability gaps, WSIB requirements, and transitioning to permanent coverage.
Warranty tracking, seasonal HVAC adjustments, and the critical 11-month walkthrough.
Campaign timing, pledge programs, CRA considerations, and maintaining giving momentum.
A phase-by-phase guide from needs analysis through construction, based on HCMI's project management framework.
How Plan to Protect® principles shape facility design for all vulnerable populations — sight lines, secure check-in, elder care spaces, and more.
Visual tour of the 2021 sanctuary expansion and renovation project.
The major phases of church construction, from site preparation to occupancy.
How HCMI's role saves time and money on your project.
Best practices for safe, engaging, and flexible spaces for kids and youth ministry.
Forming a committee, defining roles, setting expectations, and building momentum in the first 90 days.
What construction really costs in Ontario, hidden costs, and when to start talking to a lender.
The biggest lessons from 50 years — design decisions, fundraising strategies, and planning wisdom.
Zoning, site plan approval, building permits, and tips for avoiding delays.
Understand LTV, DTI, and DCR ratios before you approach a lender. Updated with 2026 interest rates and stress tests.
80+ action items covering every stage from vision casting to move-in day.
Questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and an evaluation scorecard.
A plain-language overview of OBC Group A, Division 2 requirements, fire safety, accessibility, and energy code.
A step-by-step framework for church building fundraising — from feasibility study to pledge follow-through.
Evaluate potential locations with a scoring matrix covering zoning, access, infrastructure, and costs.
Template for documenting scope changes, cost impacts, and tracking contingency usage.
Month-by-month maintenance guide for your first two years, including warranty walkthrough prep.
Ready-to-use questionnaire for gathering input on space needs, ministry priorities, and growth expectations.
Enter your attendance and ministry functions to calculate the square footage your congregation needs — from sanctuary and classrooms to expanded spaces like gymnasiums and cafés.
Plan your entire church building budget — enter estimates across all cost categories and see subtotals, contingency, and HST with PSB rebate calculated automatically.
Enter your church's financials and see LTV, DTI, and Debt Coverage ratios calculated live — with stress testing and maximum loan amounts.
Slide to adjust building size and finish level — see a full budget breakdown with group-level costs, HST, and economy-of-scale cost curves.
Visualize project phases from planning to move-in with a dynamic Gantt chart — adjust building size to see how timelines scale.
Walk through every stage of your church building project — from vision and space needs to cost estimates and master budget — with guided steps, built-in calculators, and printable reports.
Every church building project follows these key phases. Our resources are organized to support you at every stage.
Our team is here to walk you through every step of the church building process.
Contact HCMI