It is the responsibility of the PCC and Churchwardens to keep the church building in good order and safe for all users. Your Quinquennial Inspection Report (see Architects and Quinquennials) should act as a guide to help you plan your maintenance schedule for the duration of the quinquennium. Some parts of your building might only need occasional maintenance or inspection, perhaps once or twice a quinquennium, whereas other areas may require more regular intervention on a yearly or monthly basis.
Most essentially, maintenance can be as simple as keeping the building wind- and watertight. This will improve the energy efficiency (see Energy Efficient Buildings).
Maintenance Booker
Maintenance Booker is the National Churches Trust’s online maintenance service for churches. PCCs can register for the service here. Registration is free.
MaintenanceBooker will enable you to request and receive no-obligation quotes from pre-vetted, qualified and experienced contractors for essential maintenance services including:
- Gutter Clearance and Follow on Repairs
- Lightning Protection System Inspections
- Tree Surveys and Surgery
- Asbestos Management Services
You can find out more by watching the MaintenanceBooker promotional video.
Churches may also be eligible for a grant from the National Churches Trust to cover up to 50% of the cost of gutter clearance provided they book through the MaintenanceBooker site.
Guidance and Resources
The national church has developed a guide to help schedule your annual maintenance checks: Building maintenance and repair | The Church of England
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings also has lots of information on the care and maintenance of historic church buildings: Faith in Maintenance Project
Advice and resources are also available from Historic England: Maintenance and Repair of Places of Worship | Historic England and also from the National Churches Trust: Church buildings and maintenance | National Churches Trust
Ecclesiastical Insurance has lots of practical information on potential risks to your church building in extreme weather: Weather Risk Management for Organisations | Risk Management
Books
In addition to the above online resources, the following publications can be useful to have on hand for churchwardens to consult:
Graham Jeffrey, The Churchwarden's Year: A Calendar of Church Maintenance, (2012) – only available online from Church House Publishing.
James Behrens, Practical Church Management, (2014) – available from most leading online retailers.
The Historic Religious Building Alliance also has a number of publications which provide case studies and general surveys of some of the challenges and opportunities when it comes to caring for churches. These are free to download as digital resources or can be purchased as printed copies: The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance | Publications