With the emphasis always on a high quality finish, John McKenna Developments (Kerry) Ltd. delivers a complete range of industry-leading construction services, including new builds, extensions, renovations, commercial projects and private residential developments. We interrupted eponymous Annascaul contractor John’s busy schedule to find out more.
By invariably completing every project to the highest standards pertaining to industry – delivering supreme-quality, ultra-efficient and value-added buildings that are structurally and aesthetically stunning – John McKenna has amassed a magnificent track record for construction excellence.
With over 40 years of experience in the trade, having served his apprenticeship as a carpenter before expanding into general building in the late 1980s, the vastly-experienced, totally client-focussed and wholly conscientious Kerry contractor established John McKenna Developments as a limited company in 1999 and has since built up an impressive portfolio of striking residential and commercial work, including many landmark buildings and premises dotted across the Kingdom.
Consistently leaving a good job behind on every project large or small, John benefits from a steady volume of repeat business and referrals through positive word of mouth.
Regarding the key to his success and enduring popularity as a contractor of choice, he notes: “On every job, we always do the best we can for people. When the customer is paying for work, they deserve the best they can get and that you are going to do your absolute best for your customers.
“Since I started in building, this is what I’ve aimed to do. A lot of it comes down to quality workmanship, and price is also a big consideration.”
Will price, however, be less of a factor when the customer has a generous budget to work with? “Not necessarily, because there’s competition for every job and often it’s going to come down to price. That’s the reality.
“But word of mouth is a big thing too in construction and we do get repeat work from a lot of people we have worked for before, which is always a good vote of confidence.”
The vast array of services offered by John McKenna Developments (Kerry) Ltd. includes everything from new builds to extensions, renovations and conversions, covering both domestic and commercial properties. As the company name suggests, John also has the capability to take on and professionally deliver private multi-unit housing developments.
To this end, he is currently active on an exclusive nine-unit development on the outskirts of Dingle, comprising two pairs of delightful semis and five beautiful detached homes. At the time of writing, six of these houses have been sold, with two occupied, while the remaining three are in the process of being completed, with final fit out and landscaping works taking place.
“These are exclusive homes with a high-quality finish – all with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, seeded gardens and an A2 energy rating, including air-to-water heating systems and solar panels.”
The nine-unit development in Dingle is the largest John has taken on thus far. In the past, he also delivered a five-unit housing development in Tralee and an eight-home development along the seafront in Ballydavid. Alas, with the way the market is at present, there are no further developments currently in the pipeline. Even though the need for housing in Ireland is well documented, prevailing conditions are anything but ideal to facilitate such ventures:
“I have nothing planned at the minute because good sites are hard to come by and are very expensive,” John confirms. “As well as the one in Dingle that we’re still working on, we also have a renovation and an extension on at the moment, so we have enough to keep us going, thankfully. There’s always something to do because we can handle a very broad variety of work; we cover everything, really.”
Typically, John will happily travel up to 30 miles for a new build, while completed commercial projects include a showroom and workshop for Divanes Volkswagen in Castleisland, a new sports hall for Annascaul GAA and wonderful work at Camphill Community Dingle.
Very much a hands-on director, who likes to be on site, drawing upon his years of experience and varied skillset to provide a personal touch and exceptional building solutions, John also regularly engages the services of a tried-and-trusted team of subcontractors. Generally, he tends to bring in the same subbies time and again.
“I’d have the same lads working with me a good few years. You get to know how reliable they are and the quality of their work.”
With the way things have been moving in construction in the past 18 months, what with the price of materials skyrocketing, inflation causing widespread uncertainty and a shortage of labour, is John ever tempted to get out while the going is good? “Ah, no, not at all,” he concludes. “I really enjoy the job I’m at; this is what I love doing. Building has become more expensive and money is harder to come by, but there is still a demand for quality construction.
“In the residential market, if things continue as they are, there will probably be a significant shift towards social and affordable housing because fewer people can build private homes now as they can’t get either planning or money.”
Whatever happens, one thing is certain: John McKenna Developments (Kerry) Ltd. will continue to set the standards for high-quality construction in County Kerry!
John McKenna Developments (Kerry) Ltd.,
Lougher,
Annascaul,
County Kerry.
Tel: 087 2874442
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2022, Vol 8 No 12
John McKenna Developments (Kerry) Ltd.
