McGrory Homes is a new homes, residential refurbishment and retrofit specialist based in Waterford city which has earned an enviable reputation for delivering projects of the highest quality.
While his thriving company is celebrating 25 years in business, Keith McGrory is quick to point out that he has been involved in construction for a lot longer and comes from a long line of builders.
“We’re 25 years in business, but more than 300 years in construction,” the Buncrana, Co. Donegal native proudly states.
“I don’t know the exact history, but there have been at least seven or eight generations of McGrory builders before me. So it’s in the blood, a family tradition. My father Martin was a well-known building contractor in Inishowen and Donegal. Along with his brother Paul, he built Fruit of the Loom factories in Buncrana, Malin Head and Derry in the 1980s. Fruit of the Loom employed over 3,000 people in the North-West at its height before eventually ceasing operations in 2006.
“I was brought up around building sites and ran a company called Keithlin Developments back home in Donegal before moving to Waterford and setting up McGrory Homes. While studying for my degree in Construction, Quantity Surveying, Sustainable Energy and Civil Engineering at WIT (now SETU) between 2016 and ’18, I gained some valuable work experience with BAM Ireland and also developed an interest in the retrofitting and renewables side of the business.”
Keith’s interest in retrofitting led to him becoming one of the first NZEB-certified builders in Ireland after completing a course at the WWETB’s dedicated NZEB training centre. WWETB (Waterford-Wexford Education & Training Board) is leading the way in upskilling tradespeople in sustainable building technologies, and in a joint initiative with Wexford County Council, was designated as a UN Centre of Excellence in 2021.
With demonstration models of everything from wall insulations to an entire retrofitted house, students at the NZEB training centre have the chance to experience the products and processes that are used when retrofitting a home.
“That’s what really helped me – the touching, the feeling of the products, seeing how it worked. It really teases out the critical points for the practical-minded builder,” he says.
“I’m now putting what I learned into practice on every retrofitting job I do. There’s a big emphasis nowadays on upgrading homes to make them more energy efficient. There is a Government green loan scheme which a lot of people are availing of. We carry out retrofitting work to the highest possible standard.”
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money as well as an unwavering commitment to Health & Safety and working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of McGrory Homes. From concept to completion, Keith and his professional team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs, and that there are no hidden or extra costs involved.
Whether your next project is a new build, refurbishment or retrofit, McGrory Homes’ one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Waterford contractor’s reputation for quality construction and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from design teams and satisfied clients.
By employing highly-skilled people, working closely with its engineers and architects, and using only the very best building products, this fully insured company is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients. Keith’s small but dedicated crew are supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted subcontractors, including MW (Matthew Warren) Carpentry, Walsh Butler Electrical, John Laffan Electrical, Michael Mahony Plastering Contractor, David Roles Plumbing & Heating and block-layers Keith Marshall and John Kehoe. McGrory Homes’ main suppliers are Morris’ Builders Providers & DIY, Chadwicks, The Paving Yard and Munster Joinery.
Keith brings a hands-on approach to every job, adding: “I’m always out on site and have a real passion for what I do which is visible to clients. Mindful that a house is one of the biggest investments anyone will ever make in their lives, I go to great lengths to ensure expectations are not only met, but exceeded.
“We’re a small building firm whose motto is ‘quality over quantity’. If you want quantity, it will affect quality so that’s one of the advantages of being small.”
Business is flying for Keith whose current projects include a full deep retrofit of a semi-detached home in Waterford city. In addition, he recently handed over two stunning new detached homes to clients in Ballinamona and Tramore.
As McGrory Homes continues to go from strength to strength, Keith would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as his staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Here’s to the next 25 years and beyond!
McGrory Homes
Unit 51,
Westside Business Park,
Old Kilmeaden Road,
Waterford,
X91 ET91.
Telephone: 087 135 1158
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2024, Vol 10 No 12
