Operating out of Bothar Na Mine, Ballybane, Galway, Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd are an estimating and quantity surveying practice that holds an excellent reputation among its clientele. This past Spring saw the company marking its 20th anniversary and Building Ireland caught up with Michael Higgins to learn more about this tried and trusted business, its services and hopes going forward.
When Michael Higgins set-up his building cost consultancy an even two decades ago, he did so with the ambition of providing his clients with a first-class and dependable service.
Today, the Galway man’s practice remains modestly sized, but along the way, has earned a strong reputation for service, reliability and quality which is second to none.
The core of the business is, and always has been the compilation of competitive tenders for its building contractor clients.
Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd has vast experience in a wide range of projects from home extensions to large commercial projects and everything in between. It provides an array of services during the course of construction such as interim valuations, variation costing, attendance at site meetings, final account preparation and negotiation etc.
The company also offers a range of building cost consultancy services to private clients, developers and financial institutions.
Building Ireland touched base with Michael himself just as his practice turned 20 years old, to learn more about what they offer clients and the secret behind its longevity.
“The focus when I started off and the focus still is on estimating. That would be compiling tenders for small and medium contractors,” outlined the Managing Director.
“It’s really providing an outsource service for contractors who don’t have their own Estimators / Quantity Surveyors. So, the main focus is on tendering really, and then on cost management as the projects progress, including dealing with the final account at the end of the project,” he added.
While his business turned 20 years old, Michael himself also reaches a milestone this year by marking his 60th year on earth.
His many years of experience working in various aspects of the construction industry in both Ireland and Australia have made his firm first choice for a wide range of clients.
Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd is focused on projects throughout the West of Ireland, mainly in Galway, Mayo and Clare, and right now, business is good.
As Michael himself points out, he has “as much work as we can handle” at the moment, having built up a strong customer base over the years.
In fact, several clients have been with Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd since it was first set-up back in 2003.
“Many of our contractors here have been with us since the inception of the company 20 years ago, which is an indication of the service that we provide.”
He added: “We have expanded over time to provide costings for clients who are looking at carrying out building projects, whether it be residential conversions, one-off houses, housing estates, commercial or industrial projects, where they require accurate costings before progressing to planning or tender stage.”
Recent years have seen the business expanding to include the preparation of pricing schedules for a number of architects and engineers, for inclusion in their tender packages.
“Taking this approach, makes it easier for contractors to price the work and also makes it easier for the architect/engineer to compare the tenders,” according to Michael.
Architects that Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd provide pricing schedules for, include Derek Conneely Architects, Corbwell Design, Michael Rice Architect and Gormcad Design while engineers include Shane Hanniffy & Associates, Brendan Slevin & Associates and Conor Hayes Consultant Engineers.
So, all of that considered, the burning question is what has been the secret behind Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd’s longevity and success to date?
How has a small start-up grown into a thriving practice which holds a golden reputation amongst its clients?
The way Michael sees it, it comes down to years of consistently good work, which naturally has built up strong trust with the people they work with.
“Having full confidence in the costing process, because it is vital that tenders are accurate and correct,” he said when asked about why the company’s clients choose it ahead of other competitors.
“As you can imagine the pricing of a job is one of the most important aspects of any building project because if you don’t get the price right at the start, you’re in trouble”, he adds.
As for those that have worked alongside him in the office from the very beginning, Michael pays tribute to two particularly loyal staff members, and great servants to the company in Anthony Hughes and Claire Forde.
“I really appreciate the efforts and commitment from Anthony & Claire. Both have been with me since the inception of the company and they’ve been fantastic colleagues along the way,” he beamed.
As for the months ahead for Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd, the man himself knows that there will be more challenges for the industry as a whole but, as ever, he remains optimistic going forward.
“We’ve just come through a very uncertain and volatile time starting off with Covid and then Brexit and now, obviously, the war in Ukraine,” said Michael.
“It has been a very difficult time for contracting and for estimating particularly because there has been unprecedented movement in the cost of materials and, I suppose, the hope is that some of that has eased now and this might generate more confidence in the months and years ahead.”
Michael Higgins & Associates Ltd
Bothar Na Mine,
Ballybane,
Co Galway
Tel: 091 703 056
Web: www.higginsqs.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2023, Vol 9 No 9
