Whelan Construction based in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, marks 15 years in business. Building Ireland touched base with its Managing Director Brian Whelan to learn all about the origins of this family run business, its current projects and hopes for the future.
Brian’s belief is: “A home is for life, invest wisely, it is probably the biggest investment you will ever make in your lifetime. Reputation, trust and rapport needs to be seriously considered for clients seeking a contractor to develop and manage their project and investment.”
The firm is a company with a golden reputation having worked throughout the whole recession delivering quality work with projects ranging from one off new builds, extensions, renovations and housing developments in the Clonmel, Tipperary and Co Waterford areas.
Business is thriving this year for Whelan Construction and the plan for Brian and the rest of his team is to endeavour to try keep things that way despite all the many obstacles facing the construction sector presently.
All of that considered, the burning question is what has been the secret behind this family-run continued company success?
They way Brian sees it, trust and rapport has been gained from clients through delivering projects time and time again which are of high quality, and our reputation precedes us.
“It’s a family run business which prides itself on the fact that it has generations of experience and expertise coupled with a long- standing history of building in the South East, that spans more than 58 years of which I am part of for 25 years, but in reality, probably 35 having worked all my younger years alongside my father.”
Laurence, Brian’s father still plays an active roll in the business bringing on board decades of experience and expertise to the day to day running of the business.
“For me outstanding workmanship, attention to detail and commitment to being personally on site every day, hands on for each project, communicating with my clients is the hallmark of Whelan Construction today.”
For now, though Brian is focused on the work at hand which, thankfully in the current climate is plentiful as local projects continue to flow.
“We are currently constructing a 36-unit, private development in the Glenconnor area of Clonmel called Garainn na Fea. This development is the construction of larger luxury 4 & 5-bedroom family homes.
“This area is situated within walking distance of local amenities and Clonmel town centre but yet has a rural feel to it with stunning views of the Commeragh Mountains.”
Ideally suited for families upgrading to a more spacious, bright, modern family home with an A energy rating reducing annual running costs, or relocating to Clonmel from overseas or other cities.
“We are also near completion of another project, a one off modern spacious bungalow build in Co Waterford whilst beginning our next project in Co Tipperary.”
Looking forward to the months ahead and into 2023, Brian is very much optimistic going forward despite all the challenges for the industry at the moment.
Brian says the main obstacles and challenges in the way for new builds, “Are the rising costs of materials, which unfortunately is having a significant impact on young peoples’ ability to afford their own home. Our goal in every project is to work closely within our clients’ budgets by pricing the market daily for raw materials and labour. Having a strong relationship with local suppliers and sub contractors allows us to keep informed of upcoming price increases and pre order stock if needed at lower prices which all helps in keeping within clients budgets.”
So together moving forward Brian would like to acknowledge and thank all his clients, past clients word of mouth, suppliers, sub contractors, architects, and engineers for all their continued support.
“Collectively coming together and working as a team we enable clients, visions, dreams and expectations become reality and for that I am grateful,” added Brian.
Whelan Construction
Gleann Fia,
Knocklucas,
Mountain Road,
Clonmel
Co Tipperary.
Telephone: 086 8176057
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.whelanconstruction.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2022, Vol 8 No 9
