Delivering a full range of high-quality, value-added plumbing, heating and renewable energy solutions across counties Cavan, Meath, Dublin and beyond since 2013, Riteway Plumbing & Heating have developed a stellar reputation working for a who’s who of building contractors and mechanical subcontractors on countless prestigious projects. We spoke to proprietor Colm MacMahon to find out more about this industry-leading operation.
Within the space of eight short years, Riteway Plumbing & Heating have earned an unrivalled reputation island-wide as one of Ireland’s premier plumbing, heating and renewable energy contractors, with the capacity to design, install and commission bespoke systems tailored to the client’s precise needs. Founder Colm MacMahon and his crew have never been busier and this is largely down to the high quality of workmanship invariably offered, with the emphasis always on attention to detail and complete customer satisfaction.
Having established lasting relationships with renowned heating and plumbing contractors such as Kerrigan Mechanical and Gaffney Mechanical, Riteway have recently carried out a large number of installations on rapid-build, high-profile projects across the capital. These include a development of 850 units between houses and apartments at Cualanor in Dun Laoghaire for Cosgrave Developments on behalf of Kerrigan Mechanical and 282 apartment units at The Quarter, Citywest for Gaffney Mechanical / Cairn Homes.
On the latter development, Riteway Energy Solutions’ ability to move quickly and professionally was to the fore as the project was delivered successfully between January and September 2020 – despite a two-month hiatus due to lockdown in between!
“With these large developments, it’s all time-controlled now,” Colm confirms. “You get in and out quickly and do a very tidy and precise job. The projects are being fast-tracked and you have to be able to work under pressure and at pace. Generally, we’d cover all the interior work installing the plumbing and heating systems including the first fix and second fix labour. The way we are set up at the moment, we can comfortably get through 25 first fixes in a week.”
At the time of writing, Colm and his trusty team were working their way diligently though another stunning development for Cairn Homes – 342 units at Griffith Wood Apartments on Griffith Avenue in association with Gaffney Mechanical, where they have been deployed to deliver the complete internal domestic plumbing and heating fit out and first fix pipework.
As well as working on major developments and projects, Riteway can also provide a full turnkey plumbing, heating and renewable energy package – including full system design – on one-off new builds or domestic refurbishments (including energy-saving heat pumps, heat recovery systems, underfloor heating, heating controls, solar panels, gas and oil condensing boilers, etc. as specified), using only innovative products sourced from leading suppliers and manufacturers. Their dedicated team of installers boast a wealth of experience and knowledge of all aspects of plumbing, heating, gas & oil installations and renewable energy.
Leading by example, the proprietor takes a vested interest in every job undertaken – large or small – and essentially takes on the role of team leader: “Yes, I’d be very hands-on,” he confirms. “I’m always on site and I’d be heavily involved in everything. I’d lead the lads in terms of starting out each project and they’d then follow behind me. I like to do my fix before they do theirs and that way I can foresee any problems that might arise along the way and resolve them before they get a chance to become an issue.”
Regarding other qualities that have enabled Riteway Plumbing & Heating to become established as the heating, plumbing and renewable energy contractor of choice of builders, subcontractors and homeowners alike, Colm continues: “Organisation is a big one. You have to be organised if you are going to meet sharp deadlines whilst working to extremely high standards.
“Quality is obviously important, too – both the materials you use and the workmanship itself. You have to maintain that quality all the time and be able to work at speed. You need to keep things within budget, deliver a neat and tidy trouble-free finish and make sure you have all your ‘t’s crossed and your ‘i’s dotted. And don’t forget the guys, too – I have great lads working here and you wouldn’t have anything if you didn’t have reliable staff who are able to work to the highest standards on a consistent basis.”
Staff-wise, Riteway Plumbing & Heating employ eight men full time plus a host of regular subbies. Between direct and indirect labour, depending on the workload, they could have anything up to 30 personnel on site at any given time. In a bid to access proven tradesmen, who can be difficult to find, Colm brings through his own apprentices and invests a great deal of time into training them to the most exacting standards.
“We’re bringing our own guys through the ranks, but it takes time. I have guys here who are in their third or fourth year and they are already as capable as fully-qualified men. I’d put a lot of thought into how we can bring them on as quickly as possible and give them the best skills and knowhow. Let’s just say they are not hanging radiators for two years! I’d push them on to hot presses as soon as I can and I find that if you push them, they will progress quicker, which is what you want. It’s just a matter of taking time to show them the ropes – once they see you doing it, they will be happy to do it themselves.”
From a pressurised water system, gravity feed system, bathroom makeover, boiler service or retrofit in an existing dwelling, Riteway Plumbing & Heatingcan provide a full range of heating, plumbing and renewable energy solutions. Their aftersales service is second to none and an emergency call-out service is also available. Another notable long-term project that they have been involved in is the delivery of some particularly intricate retrofit work on the ongoing renovation of the spectacular Bellamont Estate in Cootehill, County Cavan, where the main house is complete but further work on some outhouses remains to be finished.
With five service vehicles on the road, Colm and his team are ideally located to work anywhere in Cavan, Meath, Dublin or indeed throughout Leinster and Ulster. “We mostly cover the Cavan, Meath, Dublin area and we have no problem accessing anywhere in the city,” Colm concludes. “We’ve been working in Dun Laoghaire for eight years and have a wealth of experience carrying out projects all around Dublin, so there’s definitely no issue going anywhere in the capital.”
Riteway Plumbing & Heating,
The Station House,
Crenard,
Ballinagh,
County Cavan.
Tel: 086 7861215
Web: ritewayenergysolutions.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October, Vol 7 No 10
