Dear BPCWA worshipper, Last week, we had our church extension briefing following our worship services. Today, I will summarise and document what was communicated as it is important that BPCWA chronicles each stage for future generations.

Project and builder update. As communicated in our previous session, only one submission was received in response to both tenders. After the initial pricing was received last August, the builder worked on finalising the pricing and sent us the second quote we received last month. To satisfy ourselves with the reasonableness of the quote submitted with only 1 tender received, we engaged a Quantity Surveyor to provide an independent price review of the project. The Quantity Surveyor’s estimation was 29 percent higher than the contractor’s quote. Since the price review concluded that the quote was reasonable, we have confirmed the finalised pricing with the builder. The builder has also submitted their financials and references for our review. We are working with a small builder which the current owner started 2 years ago after the partner of his previous company retired. Hence, although the company is new, the builder is not inexperienced as he has had many years of experience with his previous company. Being a smaller company, he will focus on our project. This means that there is low to no risk of other projects causing them financial problems. Negatively though, not having the financial backing of a larger company would mean that they would be more dependent on our project. They would lose money if they underquoted our project and will need BPCWA to be timely in the payment of invoices. Also, being small, there will be fewer resources supporting the project and will be reliant on the experience and contacts of the owner. Hence, we must pray earnestly for these areas!

Financial update. The most significant part of the cost of our project will be building costs. Despite it being the only tender submitted, we are willing to proceed because the assessment by the Quantity Surveyor indicates that his quote is fair and not expensive. As mentioned in the earlier update, we need to revise the budget based on the tender pricing. To date, this has not yet been reflected in the gap shown in the weekly bulletin. At the same time, we have updated other costs that will be incurred in addition to the builder’s cost. These include miscellaneous items such as the equipment and wiring needed for the Audio Visual, piano relocation, equipping the new sanctuary, the architect’s remaining fees, and other miscellaneous items. Many of these latter items are still estimates now. However, the revised budget we are looking at for the project will now be approximately $4.15 million. With the revised costs, today’s bulletin will show a bigger gap to close due to these additional costs factored in.

Schedule & next steps. The builder estimates the extension will take 2 years to complete, and work may start in about 3 months. We will need further work and discussions with the builder to determine the timeline of the work and how to plan around disruptions. Since the Board of Elders and Building Committee have a consensus that we do not see any concerns with signing the contract, we will proceed once the payment schedule is made available. As part of the Q&A, a question was raised about the continuity of the project since it is a small builder with only a small team supporting it. We responded that we need to pray for God to sustain the health of not just the owner of the builder, but that of the architect too. Prayer is and must always be an integral part of everything we do.

Development over the past week. During our prayer meetings, we requested the church to pray for the impending contract signing, and that God confirms His will for this builder. This became particularly urgent on Tuesday when, despite our and the architect’s requests, we had not received the payment schedule as part of our requirement for signing the contract. We were taken aback when the architect reverted with news that the builder was diagnosed with cancer and would not be able to continue with the project. While unexpected, we must realise that God answered our prayers to stop the contract signing, rather than have it continue and stall midway during build, which would have been a lot more painful. With this change, we will now have to once again search for a builder. The architect is working on that for us at present. Worshippers will be kept updated on the progress of this. With this development that the Lord has allowed, we strongly urge worshippers to pray earnestly for the Lord to continue to lead and guide us in the path ahead. Please do make this your daily personal and family prayers!

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor