On every project delivered, Brian Forkan invariably goes out of his way to ensure that all work is carried out and completed to exacting standards and to the absolute satisfaction of all parties. This is one of the many reasons why Brian Forkan Construction – recently featured on RTE’s flagship series Room to Improve – is widely regarded as one of the premier building contractors in the west of Ireland.
Twenty-twenty-five got off to a welcome welter of positive publicity for Brian Forkan Construction when the first episode of the new series of Room to Improve aired on RTE on Sunday night, January 6th, leaving viewers in total disbelief at the remarkable feat Dermot Bannon and his team pulled off in transforming Karen Mulligan’s family butcher shop in Charlestown, County Mayo into a magnificent modern three-bedroom townhouse.
Boasting almost three decades’ experience of the construction industry and synonymous with the consistent delivery of outstanding, bespoke new build, refurbishment and extension projects covering both the residential and commercial sectors, local man Brian Forkan brilliantly handled the daunting task of acting as main contractor on this novel total transformation and repurposing project.
“It was an interesting experience – a positive one and an enjoyable one,” he says of working alongside Ireland’s best-known architect on one of the country’s most popular TV productions. “With the filming, etc. it was all rather amusing and I’d classify it as fun – although overall of course it was all very serious and in that respect it was the same as any other job we take on.”
During all the years, nay decades that Brian has worked in construction (he set up his own company in 2007, having qualified and worked initially as a carpenter after leaving school in 1996), Brian has always been steadfastly focused on ensuring the complete satisfaction of not just his clients but also anybody else who might be impacted in any way by the works.
“This was a very delicate job in that the property stands in between two houses and you have to make sure you keep everybody on board. During the demolition phase, for example, you try to be as gentle as possible and to minimise noise and disruption. We engaged with the neighbours and it all went smoothly, by and large.”
Demolition works commences in late August, 2023, with the building itself commencing in September. The client moved into her transformed new home in April and everything was fully handed over and signed off for completion of the TV show by September, 2024.
“I have spoken to Karen on a number of occasions since and she is very happy with the final result, which is the main thing,” Brian continues. It was an unusual project in many respects, not least as repurposing a commercial building into a living space is not really common practice… “Especially considering that it is a terraced house and the residents on both sides had to be considered,” Brian continues.
“Once we entered into this, there was no turning back and we had to make it happen. We had to get it done irrespective of what obstacles presented themselves. No matter who you are – an architect, an engineer or a builder – nobody can foresee what you are going to find in the make-up of a building. You never know what’s going to show up in old stone houses. Most of the houses on that street are 2-300 years old, so you’re going to come up against some unusual stuff.
“But more delicate than the actual work itself was maintaining good relationships with neighbours and making sure they were on board because we had to erect scaffolding in their backyards, etc., so you make sure it’s boarded off and that you leave no mess behind you, talk to them and make sure they are happy. As a local contractor, it makes sense to keep people on board and to make sure they know that we have their best interests at heart, which we did.”
The show quickly gained traction upon airing and Brian admits that the extra publicity that comes with exposure via the national media is always welcome: “It’s certainly no harm to get a refresher out there to people who might think we are too busy. One thing I always say is that, yes, we are busy but we are never too busy to take on more projects, so don’t neglect to pick up the phone.
“I set up at the start of a recession but even in the bad years I’ve always been busy and had a few lads working for me. We’ve a team of ten now, plus subbies, depending on what the workload is at any given time. It’s very hard to get good staff these days. Nearly every building company in Ireland would have more staff if they could get them.”
Insisting on high-quality craftsmanship and delivering a professional, efficient and reliable service with excellent customer relations, Brian Forkan Construction specialises in new builds (from a greenfield site to a bespoke turnkey finish), refurbishments, extension, conservation work, commercial and public works and local school projects.
At the time of writing, Brian was finishing Westview House – a luxurious new build family home in Mayo – and had just started work on the refurbishment and extension of an old country cottage near Straide. “We’re also doing a conservation job on the church in Kiltimagh and have a couple of other jobs that we’re ready to pull the trigger on. We’re in a good place for 2025 but are never too busy.
“Since I started on my own, I’ve invested in as much machinery as I can to alleviate the need for manpower. We’re always looking at new innovations to achieve a speedier and more efficient turnaround. I’ve a good team of direct lads and use the same subcontractors all the time. Once I get somebody I’m happy with, I won’t deviate from them. For me, it’s not about money – the main thing is that everything is done properly and that I can trust them to do a good job because, at the end of the day, it all comes back to the main contractor.”
Brian’s ethos is all about quality and client satisfaction. With everybody on the same page, Brian Forkan Construction achieves these two non-negotiable targets time and time again: “The most important thing to me when we finish a job is that we leave no loose ends and that the client is happy with the work. It’s true that you are only as good as your last project and every one of them is equally important to me. There’s nothing I like more than to see a happy client.
“Any lad who comes to work with me – be it directly or as a subcontractor – has to have the same attitude and the same values. People are spending a lot of money on these projects, and the finished product simply has to be right, there’s no other way to do it.”
Brian Forkan Construction,
Treenkeel,
Kiltimagh,
County Mayo.
Tel: 087 798 6588
Email: [email protected]
Web: forconstruction.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2025, Vol 11 No 4
Brian Forkan Construction, featured
