With a proven track record of invariably delivering industry-leading projects across all sectors of the construction industry over the past two decades, Nevin Construction is a diverse and constantly-improving general contracting company.
Since its genesis in Waterford in 2002, Nevin Construction has built up an impressive portfolio of outstanding projects across a complete range of sectors, including commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical, conservation, fit out and refurbishment, education, health, residential and retail.
Fully committed to providing a quality service, completing every project to the highest standards, within budget, safely and on time, Nevin has diversified into the critical social housing sector over the past three years. Here, the two decades of experience garnered operating at the forefront of Ireland’s construction industry is put to good use as the skilled and motivated Nevin Construction team deliver a series of ultra-efficient and modern social housing units – the current development of 22 striking new homes at Two-Mile Borris in Tipperary being a case in point.
John Breen is contracts manager on this magnificent social housing scheme, which is due to be handed over to Tipperary County Council by the end of November. “We started our first social housing scheme with Waterford County Council in 2019, worked on a second one for Kilkenny County Council in 2020 and 2021, and started the current one with Tipp County Council in July, 2021,” he reveals.
“So, we’ve essentially had a couple on the go at the same time over the past few years. While the social housing schemes have been running, we’ve also been doing a number of commercial fit outs up and down the country. We’re also in the process of handing over the brand-new Aldi store in Clonakilty, which we built from start to finish on a brownfield site, having also recently delivered Aldi stores in Dungarvan and Waterford city.
“We’re extremely busy at the moment, covering a broad range of work including new builds, internal fit outs and alterations to office blocks and commercial units.”
The attention to detail and workmanship evident on the ongoing Two-Mile Borris development typify the professional approach to building that has seen Nevin Construction go from strength to strength as a contractor of choice over the past 20 years.
“They are incredibly efficient homes, with an air-to-water electrical heat pump system to heat water and no reliance on burning fossil fuels,” John continues. “The homes are designed to achieve an A-rating for energy and have been fitted with double-glazed windows by Munster Joinery. They have a very modern look and are high-quality, ultra-efficient homes with a very nice finish.
“Within the 22 units is a mixture of two-bedroom bungalows and two-storey homes – a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom. One house within the development is an accessible unit with a ground-floor bedroom, three first-floor bedrooms and accessible bathroom.”
A key member of the Nevin Construction team for the past five years, John says the development went according to plan apart from a frustrating four-month delay that was completely out of the main contractor’s control. “We encountered a significant delay when the overhead ESB lines where not removed when we were ready for them to be removed and there were other challenges such as inflation and the availability of resources, but we called on our experience and expertise and found ways of dealing with these difficulties.”
Nevin’s diversification into the social housing market was a natural move as both John and the directors have a rich background working in housing with McInerney Construction. Prior to the last recession, Nevin Construction also amassed invaluable experience working on private housing developments.
The excellent, client-focused team at Nevin Construction is fronted up by managing director Bernard Nevin, commercial director Paurick Tanehy and construction director Hugh Mullaney alongside contracts manager John Breen, an estimator, a senior QS, two junior QS’s and a marketing manager, ably assisted by a tried-and-trusted cohort of subcontractors, who consistently meet the most exacting standards.
The management team has accumulated extensive and diverse experience in commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical and residential construction and fit out projects, their ability to deliver high quality projects resulting in strong and lasting relationships with clients and associates.
With offices in Waterford, Cork and Dublin, Nevin Construction’s reputation is built on trust and the company is currently taking advantage of its strong position, with a busy order book in front of them. The directors are dedicated to maintaining a safe working environment for all employees and significant resources are deployed to ensure best practice in Health & Safety. In 2016, Nevin were awarded Grade A Safe-T-Cert accreditation, recognised by the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), and they have since continued to maintain this Grade A status during each annual audit.
Nevin Construction are dedicated to continuous improvement strategies, applying new technologies and expanding and advancing to provide high quality solutions to complex challenges.
Predominantly working south of an imaginary straight line from Dublin to Limerick, Nevin Construction is currently enjoying a phase of steady growth. “We’ve been very busy over the last five years and we’re getting even busier now, but we can’t lose the run of ourselves,” says John. “We have to keep a close eye on things.
“The market is very difficult at the moment and we are trying to make sure we are covered on projects and that we don’t leave ourselves exposed to inflation. There are real concerns around construction right now and it’s very difficult to commit to a two-year project – or even a twelve-month one – without considering the cost of inflation.”
Some other recent projects of note delivered by Nevin Construction include the extensive refurbishment and fit out of the Permanent TSB branch on the corner of Grafton Street and Harry Street in Dublin city centre in 2018. Works on this award-winning €15m project comprised the complete strip out of the four-storey building (each floor circa 12,000 sq ft) including major structural alterations, a full re-fit of all M&E services and new state-of-the-art glazing systems and a high-end re-fit of all floors. The branch was completed to an exceptionally high standard and handed over to the client on time.
Meanwhile, the Emerald Contact Centre project in Waterford city involved the extensive fit out of a 30,000 sq ft, four-storey building, carried out over four phases, to accommodate the client’s new global headquarters and its expanding workforce at Waterford Business Park.
Nevin Construction have come a long way in 20 years and the future is looking extremely bright as they continue to deliver a comprehensive range of construction projects in an increasingly-volatile marketplace. As for the key to ongoing success and growth, their personable contracts manager concludes:
“In delivering high-quality construction solutions, you have to try to be as competitive as you can but at the same time it’s vital to make sure you have everything covered on price. You don’t want to be going back with your hand open halfway through. Communication is extremely important too, so that you have your site team, management team and all other stakeholders are all working together.”
Nevin Construction,
Suite 19,
The Atrium,
Maritana Gate,
Canada Street,
Waterford.
Tel: 051 855822
Fax: 051 855 823
Email: [email protected]
Web: nevin.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, January 2023, Vol 9 No 1
