From its base in Newry, County Down, AMAC Building delivers a complete range of professional building solutions, invariably exceeding client expectations. We touched base with founder Aiden McCabe to get an insight into his outstanding multifaceted contracting company.
Over the past twelve years, AMAC Building Ltd. has established itself as one of Northern Ireland’s most reputable construction companies, with an excellent track record in successfully delivering a comprehensive array of projects large and small, from stunning passive residential new builds to extensions, refurbishments, conversions, commercial work, general building, maintenance and everything in between.
Proprietor Aiden McCabe and his vastly-experienced team provide a complete bespoke, turnkey service in-house, seeing each project through from start to finish – always to exact customer specification. By consistently meeting, nay exceeding client needs and expectations, AMAC has earned a stellar reputation as an independent building contractor of choice for small- to medium-sized projects.
This has not happened by chance, as, since starting out as a main contractor in 2010, having previously worked as a bricklaying subcontractor (under the AMC Bricklaying banner) Aiden has been acutely cognisant of the importance of leaving behind a good calling card on every job undertaken. Ultimately, in construction, previously-completed work serves as the best advertising of all…
“For me, it’s all about leaving a good job behind you every time. The finish is everything,” confirms the highly-regarded Down builder. “It’s very important that when you walk away you know you have done the best work you possibly can. When somebody else asks me to price a job and I ask them how they got my name, they will often say that I was recommended to them by a previous client, who was happy with the work and the service. That’s always very encouraging to hear and thankfully I get that a lot.”
This speaks volumes for AMAC Building. Aiden goes out of his way to look after his clients and leaves no stone unturned in delivering optimal results, ensuring that every new build or renovation achieves the highest standards of energy efficiency, comfort and affordability.
AMAC specialise in passive, low-energy, environmentally-friendly homes and can cover everything from property maintenance, to groundworks, piling, paving, etc., priding themselves on the quality of service and working closely with the client to ensure that the project runs smoothly from the plan and design stage through to handover. They can provide a labour only package or a complete labour, plant, and materials package to cater for different contracts and contractors.
While cutting his metaphorical construction teeth working as a bricklayer for established local firms including Cunningham Contracts, Carr Bros and Lotus Homes, Aiden was always driven by a desire to one day go down the main contracting route himself:
“I always wanted to get out there and do my own thing. Eventually, the opportunity arose and I decided to go for it. While I was working on homes for people, they’d ask me did I know a joiner or did I know anybody who could do various jobs. Could I do plaster boarding or plumbing? I always told them I’d get it done and it just snowballed from there. I had built up a good base of contacts, which is important.”
Aidan started out doing extensions and small jobs but always wanted to get into residential new builds – an area where he has developed an exceptional reputation for AMAC Building. Recently-completed one-off houses include magnificent homes in Bellewstown, County Meath and Meigh, County Armagh as well as a passive house in Tandragee, County Armagh, a new bungalow in Killinchy, Couty Down and a new build with a round roof in Dromore, County Down as well as new builds in Warrenpoint and Bright, County Down.
Meanwhile, he is currently building a breath-taking beachside property at Strangford Lough and another one closer to home in Kilcoo, County Down. Aiden is currently pricing a nice new house in Scarva, with a barn-style roof.
“I really enjoy going into greenfield sites and doing nice bespoke buildings. That’s the work I really want to tackle,” he enthuses. “I also recently did a new warehouse and showrooms extension for AJ Plumbing in Ballynahinch and the client is very pleased with how that turned out. That was my first venture into commercial work and I really enjoyed doing that as well.”
Aiden also provides building maintenance work for AJ Plumbing / Floortherm. He works closely with a number of architects, including Michael Bailie at MB Architectural Design Services in Downpatrick and Gary Patterson Architects in Strangford.
From a classic, traditional style to a stunning modern look, AMAC can offer flexible building or property improvement options, with all work carried out to the highest standards and within the client’s budget. As customer satisfaction is Aiden’s most pressing priority, he never compromises on the quality of his work. This results in more and more business through repeat customers and positive word of mouth.
“When I was bricklaying, we went through some hard times, but I came out the other end of it,” he reflects. “When you stay at it and keep providing a good service, then things will blossom. If you keep leaving a good product behind, it is going to get noticed and that’s when more clients and architects will come along and want to work with you.
“Nothing is ever easy in construction and this business is still a work in progress so we simply can’t let our standards drop. It’s all about honesty, too, and keeping your integrity intact when you are walking away from a job. It has to be right.”
Aiden was asked to join the Federation of Master Builders’ board and served for two years until August, 2022, on a ten-panel board for Northern Ireland representing all members at government level. He was subsequently offered the position for a further two years but decided to step down due to his own work commitments.
Aiden – who is on site himself every day and deals directly and openly with his clients – attributes the success of AMAC Building to the professionalism and skill of his men on the ground, including direct employees and a proven team of subcontractors. “Material prices went crazy there but for me labour prices haven’t gone through the roof,” he notes. “However, there is a major shortage of young lads coming through to learn a trade, so I’ve been turning some smaller jobs down and targeting the domestic new builds and commercial work.
“I’ve two new builds on now and have enough work ahead of me to keep me going into next March. Things are going quite well. We’re getting plenty of work and I’m always on the look-out for interesting new projects.”
When he speaks, Aiden’s genuine passion for construction is evident and it shines through on every project completed by AMAC Building!
AMAC Building Ltd.,
17 Blackthorn Close,
Newry,
County Down.
Tel: 028 43778390
Mobile: 0(044)7845 494 123
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, November 2022, Vol 8 No 11
