Specialising in renovations, extensions and new builds, Kenneth T Griffin Construction Ltd is a leading name in the residential development sector in and around Limerick city.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Thomondgate-based company has earned an enviable reputation for delivering high-quality workmanship and making your dream home or living space a reality. Its works range from bathroom conversions to more ambitious grand design projects such as retrofitting a 140-year-old townhouse on Limerick’s Beaumont Street to a modern BER A3-rated home.
Founder and owner Kenneth T Griffin heads up a small but dedicated team that will not be beaten on quality, efficiency or attention to detail. Kenneth and his crew are passionate about building safely and cost-effectively, and are not afraid to engage with new technologies such as crystic fibreglass roofs, external wrap-around insulation, liquid floated floors, heat recovery systems, electrically-heated air systems and heat pumps in addition to the more traditional methods.
While Kenneth is a mains trade contractor and project manager who delivers additional services, he has established a trusted network with experts and fitters in the Passive House design, thermal bridging and architectural detailing arena, which he can call upon if required. In this way, he keeps costs down for the client in that they pay for a mains trade contractor, but can be confident that there is a backroom network that can be called upon if and only when required.
“If someone contacts me, I’ll meet them, scope the work, recommend an architect to carry out the design, and price accordingly,” he says.
“We work with the same two architects who recommend us for many jobs. We have a huge portfolio of successfully completed projects which clients can get ideas from. No-one has complained yet about our work! We go through everything with the client in the finest detail, from having a light switch beside their bed to the colour of the paint.
“We always recommend a specialist company to do the kitchens and bathrooms. They’re the experts in their field and we leave that to them.
“We offer a design, build and deliver package for clients. We can manage and carry out the project in its entirety, delivering a turnkey project. For customers who want to be more involved, we can work with them and accommodate novated subcontractors as selected by the client e.g. specialist window companies or heating system installers, giving the client the best advice on industry standards and technologies.”
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Kenneth T Griffin Construction. Health & Safety is at the core of the business, and never more so than since the Covid-19 pandemic. From concept to completion, the Griffin team and their tried and trusted subcontractors 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.
The company’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Limerick 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 designers and scores of satisfied clients.
By employing highly-skilled people, collaborating with design teams and using only the very best building products, this fully insured, certified and registered contractor is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients.
“Limerick city is a small area and word of mouth spreads fast,” Kenneth continues.
“I am from the area, as are my staff and subcontractors. We are in effect carrying out work for our friends and neighbours, and all we have is our reputation. We are always looking for the next contract, and the best way to do that is to leave the previous customer happy. If we are beaten on price for a contract, I always advise the client to go visit previous clients and projects of our competitors.
“Experience has taught me that the cheapest price can sometimes be the most expensive in the long run. We don’t aim to be the cheapest, we leave that for other contractors; we aim to provide excellent value. To have what you want, the way you want it, at an affordable price and stress-free is infinitely better than paying for something you don’t want, the way you don’t want it, at a cheaper price.”
As an approved public works contractor, Kenneth T Griffin Construction has successfully completed many projects under various grants schemes such as housing adaptation grants for older people, or people with a disability, through Limerick City and County Council. The contractor also carries out work for energy retrofit companies who manage all stages from survey to grant funding.
“We’ve secured a lot of contracts for house upgrades and retrofits in Limerick city. We’re doing lots of renovation and extension work. We’re very busy and have long-term plans to get into the development side of things,” Kenneth explains.
A qualified stonemason, Kenneth previously ran a successful block-laying business before the recession hit in 2008 and led him into home renovation work.
“I identified a niche in the market, noticing that while people no longer had large amounts of money for large value spends such as new houses, they did have smaller amounts of money for renovation projects. It was then I began to specialise in house renovations, on the basis that if you can’t afford a new or bigger house, a more cost-effective solution is to renovate or extend your existing house,” he recalls.
“Following decades working in the construction industry, I had experience in the wider construction trades outside of stone masonry, and additionally growing up my father was a carpenter and my brother’s is an electrician, so I had a very good grounding in other main trades from an early age.
“I carried out an extension to my own house in 2009 and accumulated more knowledge through successive projects. You could say I made all my mistakes on my own house, so I didn’t have to on client’s houses. Over time as I left satisfied customers throughout Limerick, my company became sought-after.
“I believe in establishing trust with my customers and delivering the project as agreed without quibble. I believe in a collaborative approach to project delivery, that by working with clients instead of against them, we can deliver projects in a stress-free manner.”
As his business continues to go from strength to strength, Kenneth would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients, suppliers and design teams for their support as well as his staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and skill.
Kenneth T Griffin Construction Ltd
35 Crossroads,
Thomondgate,
Co Limerick.
Telephone: 085 815 1317
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kennethtgriffinconstruction.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2023, Vol 9 No 9
Kenneth T Griffin Construction