Grace Church: Client Story

Competent. Character. Quality.

That’s how Jon Beyer, Multisite Pastor at Grace Church, describes working with Tom as a project manager for the church’s expansion and renovations. Grace Church operates multiple locations, three of which are in the Ann Arbor area.

Previously, Grace Church partnered with another company for renovations, which, while successful, proved to be very expensive. Seeking a more cost-effective solution without compromising on quality, they decided to collaborate with Gritter Real Estate Services, bringing Tom on board as their project manager.

Jon and Tom began their collaboration on a major renovation of the Grace Ann Arbor location. The goal was to expand the facility to include additional meeting and conference rooms, enhance the family and gathering spaces, and expand the GraceKids Children’s Ministry space. During their initial meeting, Tom and Jon discussed the project’s scope, including the possibility of expanding into an adjacent unit of the building.

Acting as the owner's representative, Tom negotiated a lease agreement to expand into the next unit with the property owner and facilitated the bidding process with contractors. He was flexible with the contractors Grace Church preferred but also provided valuable resources and recommendations for alternative options. Once the bids were received, Tom and Jon evaluated them together, carefully selecting the best fit and assembling a strong team.

Tom clearly outlined the project timeline and established a regular schedule for meetings with Jon, the contractors, and the architect. They continually discussed concerns, questions, and adjustments. Tom excelled at interpreting the technical details for those without a construction background. Jon praised Tom's proactive communication, noting that he often anticipated needs before they arose.

During the renovation, it was discovered that the ductwork needed to be replaced, which increased the project's cost. Tom negotiated with the property owner to share this unexpected expense fairly, recognizing that the issues predated Grace Church's occupancy.

Reflecting on his collaboration with Tom, Jon said:

“We could trust him to communicate with us and communicate with the contractors any concerns or questions we had. We are free to do our work while he was making sure this project was moving forward.”

The completed renovation at Grace Ann Arbor includes a new lobby space and sitting area, facilitating connection and conversation before and after services. The kitchen and bar areas enable meal service, and new TVs provide a comfortable space for families with young children to engage with the service. The dedicated GraceKids space, with large group gathering spaces and smaller rooms to break out into, has facilitated growth of their Children’s Ministry which is now seeing greater attendance than ever before. 

Tom takes seriously the trust placed in him and works diligently to meet and exceed expectations. Tom and Grace Church have successfully collaborated on three projects: the addition and renovations to the children’s and community spaces at Grace Canton, the major renovation and expansion of Grace Ann Arbor off Boardwalk, and flooring, bathroom, and carpeting renovations for Grace North in Ann Arbor.