RICHMOND — Despite the anxiety created by the sagging economy, this is an excellent time for churches to consider building, says Rod Hale, long-time church facility consultant for Virginia Baptists.
Church architects agree. Jim Byerly, of Huff Morris Architects in Richmond, notes that from February to May one construction bid with which he was working fell 10 percent.
Jim DePasquale, of the DePasquale-Gentilhomme Group, also of Richmond, adds that the cost of site work has dropped dramatically. Expressing sympathy for their situation, DePasquale says, “Site contractors are in a double bind. Not only are they having to lower their bids to stay competitive, but their equipment is enormously expensive.”
Other contractors are feeling the pinch as well since construction has slowed. DePasquale noted that one commercial builder reports a work backlog that is only 10 percent of what it was last year.
Further, architects note that near record low interest rates provide another incentive for churches to build.
Although lending institutions are asking many more questions and insisting on careful documentation, money is available. “We are eager to talk with churches about making loans,” commented Susan Adams, president of Entrust Federal Credit Union, established initially to serve the Foreign (now International) Mission Board.
Hale urges churches to use caution, however, and not to rush the process. “We had one church in the Lynchburg area that got into real trouble because they did much of the work themselves and everything was residential grade construction. What they did would have been fine for a home, but the stress of a larger building was just too much.”
Echoing Hale’s caution DePasquale adds, “A church is one of the more complicated building structures. The volume of space and the height of the walls create a tremendous outward force on the lateral walls.” Reinforcing his colleague’s assertion, Byerly notes that his firm had been called in to correct structural problems.
Besides actual construction projects, now is a good time for churches to, “freshen up” Hale says. “When a church presents a new, clean look, it motivates the members to do other things as well. It is energizing when you see good things happening. And it pushes the vision.”
Although the recession has brought hardships for many, one positive result is the current value in construction and remodeling. For example, a project that would have cost $1,200,000 last year might cost only $900,000 this year.
Further, now is an advantageous time to purchase property. Falling real estate prices, though painful for sellers, create opportunities for churches. Some churches can now purchase adjacent buildings or property for future construction or parking expansion.
Churches considering multi-site expansion may find this an excellent time to move forward with those plans. Since commercial property has also been affected by falling prices, this is an excellent time for churches to press ahead with multisite plans.
Another reason some churches should consider immediate construction is that regulations governing storm water run-off collection will become much more stringent in 2010.
Given the current construction climate, architects and builders are encouraging churches to, “Get it done now.”
Jim White is editor of the Religious Herald. This article is the first of three dealing with church construction. Second in the series will deal with preparing for a building project to be followed by building mistakes churches often make.