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Research can prevent bad experiences
By Sondra Washington
October 2, 2003
Often it is said that construction projects may be one of the most difficult tasks that many churches ever have to face.
Even after numerous months of planning, research and prayer, it is not uncommon for some churches to still have negative experiences during the building process, according to church construction professionals.
Fortunately, many church leaders have the benefit of learning from the mistakes of others who were mistreated as they traveled the road before them.
A few years ago, one Alabama Baptist congregation learned a lesson in church construction the hard way.
When they decided to undertake a $1.2 million design/build remodeling and expansion project, they hired a contractor who told them he only worked on churches.
The church met with him on numerous occasions and checked the references he provided before signing a contract. Another congregation had even recommended him to the church.
They would later discover the contract prepared by the contractor did not protect any of their interests in the building project and required an arbitrator in the event of any problems.
Once they were well into construction, the church began to see some serious problems with the contractor’s work. The supervisor hired by the contractor to oversee the project had never worked on a construction project, and he in turn hired workers who had no building experience.
After hiring the workers, he would fire some of them but leave them on the payroll and cash their checks. While all of this was going on, tools that belonged to the church were missing from the construction site.
In the end, the church was forced to fire the contractor and redo and finish much of the project, which doubled in cost and completion time.
Yet through their experience, this church learned a few tips that could save many other churches from having to endure a similar situation:
--Always have an attorney look over any contracts before signing them.
--Have the attorney meet the builder with the church building committee.
--Make sure you have a strong committee that is faithful and dedicated to the task at hand.
--Always have someone on the job site that understands construction and can stay on top of the whole process.
--Try to use a local contractor who will hire local people to do subcontracts.
--Place information in the contract that protects the church and withholds a percentage of cost even after six months of work in the case of serious problems.
--Make sure that the company is licensed.
--Contact the state convention, associational offices and the Better Business Bureau before hiring any building professionals.
Al Handley, church facilities manager for Marshall Construction in Montgomery, concurred. He advises churches to be more aggressive in the hiring process.
“Ask the contractor how many churches he has done in the last five years,” he stated. “If they can’t give you at least five, look for another church builder.”
Handley also recommends that churches spend much more time obtaining references for companies being considered for the job.
“Take the time to go look at the work and personally talk with the pastors of the last five jobs they have done,” he added. “Call the suppliers in their area and ask if they are paying their bills. Talk to their bankers. Call their trade references. Call Dunn and Bradstreet (1-866-472-7362) to get their business rating.”
Handley said Dunn and Bradstreet may not give much information on the record, but they will sometimes reveal if the companies are dependable.
He added that if they don’t give raving reviews, take that into consideration.
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