In just three years, Modo Construction Ltd has earned an enviable reputation for top-quality residential, commercial and industrial work across the midlands.
Established in July 2020 by Colin Bermingham, the Tullamore-based general building contracting firm has grown to employ a nine-strong team who are supported by the same tried and trusted subcontractors, including Stephen Weir Plastering Services, Kevin Carroll Groundworks, LS Electrical and C&H Plumbing. The company’s growth has surpassed all expectations according to Colin, who set it up in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I was off work for eight weeks during the first lockdown and that got me thinking,” he recalls.
“I had been working for another building company as a contracts manager for 12 or 13 years, but the desire was always there to go out on my own. My father-in-law, Ray McKeown, gave me the loan of a jeep to get me going. I started off doing refurbishments and progressed from there to new builds.
“I have my own crew of carpenters and block-layers who I can’t praise enough. They’re all great lads who take huge pride in their work. We’re doing a good bit of commercial work and are building between four and five new one-off houses a year. It’s going better than I could ever have imagined.”
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Modo Construction. Health & Safety is at the core of the business, and is to the fore on every job. From concept to completion, Colin and his growing team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your project is designed and built to your specific needs, and that there are no hidden or extra costs involved.
Modo Construction’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Co. Offaly contractor’s reputation for quality construction and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from scores of satisfied clients.
Colin enjoys an excellent relationship with his subcontractors and suppliers. His main suppliers are Roadstone, BD Flood, Brooks, TJ Mahony’s, Tullamore Hardware, Killeshal Precast and Heatwise / Tilewise, while the Chancery Group looks after all of his engineering / project management requirements. By employing highly-skilled people, collaborating with design teams and using only the very best building products, this fully insured contractor is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients.
Modo Construction uses the best practices to build beautiful bespoke and energy efficient homes. Most of the new homes it has built to date have been turnkey and over 2,000 sq. ft. in size. But with material costs and mortgage rates on the increase, Colin admits it’s an expensive time to be building.
“Building is challenging by its nature,” the affable company director says.
“While some material costs have fallen slightly from their peak last year, concrete is going the other way. You have to try and manage costs as best you can and try to keep them down. Rising mortgage rates are also putting houses out of a lot of people’s reach. They’re going up and up. They’ve gone up 3.75% since last August and that’s causing further headaches.
“In spite of that, the demand is still there. We’re getting plenty of commercial work as well. There is also a good demand for renovation and repurposing works.”
When he’s not out on a building site, Colin can usually be found on the GAA sidelines of Offaly. He played football for his local club Ballycommon for 24 years before becoming a selector last year when they claimed an Intermediate Championship and Division 3 League double. The north Offaly club defeated favourites Raheen by 1-13 to 2-6 in the Intermediate decider and are looking forward to making the step-up to the Senior ‘B’ ranks this year.
“I live in Clara, run the business from Tullamore, but my heart will always be in Ballycommon. It’s a great little community where the GAA brings everyone together,” he smiles.
As Modo Construction continues to go from strength to strength, Colin would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their support as well as his employees and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
He concludes by saying: “Our success is down to our staff and subcontractors who I had known before I set up the business. They look after me and I look after them. They’re all decent, hard-working lads and the same goes for our apprentices. I’m also grateful for the support I’ve received from my wife Fiona. She encouraged me to go out on my own and I haven’t looked back since.”
Modo Construction Ltd
Unit 2A,
Axis Business Park,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly.
Telephone: 086 736 2368
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2023, Vol 9 No 8
