Quinquennial Inspection Options
Over many years of undertaking these inspections and working closely with PCCs and churchwardens, we have refined the way our reports are structured. Based on practical experience and feedback from churches, our Quinquennial Inspection service is now offered through two clear options, allowing each PCC to select the level of detail that best suits the immediate needs of the church and any longer-term maintenance planning that may be required.
Standard Quinquennial Inspection
This option provides the statutory Quinquennial Inspection required by the Diocese. It includes a visual inspection of the building fabric together with a written report identifying the general condition of the church and any items requiring repair or maintenance.
The inspection typically considers the principal elements of the building including roofs, rainwater goods, masonry, windows, doors, internal finishes, and other accessible fabric. The resulting report will include photographic references and clear recommendations for works that may be required in the short and medium term. This option fully satisfies the formal diocesan requirement for a Quinquennial Inspection and provides the PCC with a clear and practical overview of the building’s condition.
Enhanced Quinquennial Inspection
This option provides a more detailed condition assessment and is often selected by PCCs who wish to gain a clearer understanding of future repair priorities and longer-term maintenance planning.
In addition to the standard inspection, the enhanced report may include:
- Detailed photographic survey of the building
- Drone imagery of the roof and external elevations where safe and appropriate, allowing clearer inspection of areas that are difficult to access safely.
- A digital 3D data model of the building, generated from site imagery where suitable, providing the PCC with a useful visual record of the church and supporting future maintenance planning and repair discussions.
- A detailed architectural floor plan of the church
- A clearer prioritisation of repair works and maintenance items.
- Indicative cost guidance for key repair works where appropriate.
- A longer-term maintenance overview to assist the PCC in planning future repairs or improvement works.
- Additional commentary to support discussions with the Diocese or potential grant funding bodies.
Many PCCs find this approach particularly helpful as it provides a more strategic overview of the building, supporting forward budgeting and helping the church plan repairs in a structured and manageable way.
In our experience, many PCCs choose the enhanced option, as it provides a clearer basis for planning future repairs and can be particularly helpful when discussing works with the Diocese or when exploring potential grant funding opportunities.
Both options will fully meet the requirements of the Diocesan Quinquennial Inspection process, and the report provided will satisfy the Diocese’s expectations for the statutory inspection and condition review of the church building.
Ongoing Support and Advice
Following completion of the Quinquennial Inspection, Arrol Green would be pleased to continue supporting the PCC in the planning and delivery of any recommended repair or maintenance works identified within the report.
Where appropriate, we can assist with the preparation of specifications, faculty applications, grant submissions, and the management of repair works, helping the PCC address maintenance issues in a practical and cost-effective way while ensuring that the historic character of the building is properly protected.
Our aim is to provide clear professional guidance that helps churches plan repairs sensibly and manage their buildings with confidence over the long term.
Enquiries
If you would like to obtain a quotation for a Quinquennial Inspection, or would like to discuss the most appropriate option for your church, please contact us at: enquiries@arrolgreen.com
We would be very pleased to discuss your church and provide guidance on the most suitable approach.
Where possible, it is helpful if you can provide the name of the church, its location, and the date of the last Quinquennial Inspection, as this allows us to prepare a more accurate quotation.