BLDG Chartered Surveyors continues to go from strength to strength following a successful rebrand two years ago.
Previously known as SM Building Consultancy, BLDG (short for the word ‘Building’) is a leading building surveying practice based in Skerries, Co. Dublin that provides a full range of services across residential and commercial properties. The practice was established in 2013 by Sean Mooney, who was joined by David Murray in 2020. The decision to rebrand was taken not only to reflect David’s involvement as co-owner and director, but to mark a new and exciting chapter in the practice’s growth.
“It was only myself at the start,” Sean recalls.
“I set up the practice in early 2013 just as the country was coming out of recession and we’ve obviously come a long way since then. We now have a team of seven, including David who joined as a director in 2020 before becoming a partner in 2023. It’s now 50/50 between me and him. That was always the plan.
“Having broken the 10-year mark as SM, we decided to shelve that name a couple of years ago to reflect the change of ownership, our growing team and to push on more.”
Many rebrands fail, but that thankfully hasn’t been the case for BLDG who are dedicated to delivering exceptional solutions through their extensive expertise and knowledge.
“The concern was how our existing clientele would react to the brand change,” David says.
“As it turned out, they warmly welcomed it and the feedback was very positive. We continue to grow year-on-year and have increased our presence on LinkedIn and social media. We have grown hand-in-hand with our valued clients who ultimately use us because they see we are doing well and can count on our unrivalled service and expertise.”
The BLDG owners have over 35 years’ combined experience in providing professional building surveying services and advice to a network of building owners, occupiers, asset managers, funds and agents. They specialise in residential property, commercial property, project management and owner or occupier properties of types and sizes. Their goal is to deliver practical, professional advice to suit your individual needs. The BLDG team’s extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with their wealth of experience, ensures you are in safe hands from the outset.
“Our initial focus was on residential work, but we have a good commercial wing now. We offer an extensive suite of services in both sectors, including commercial fitouts which is our newest offering,” David adds.
Whereas BLDG’s residential clients are nationwide, its commercial clients are predominantly Dublin-based. When purchasing a residential property, it is essential that, before committing to the purchase, a building survey is carried out so that the buyer has a full understanding of the property’s condition and the potential costs arising to put the property into repair.
Typical residential services provided by BLDG include: Insurance Residential Valuations; Building Surveys; Boundary Disputes; Measured Surveys; Certificates of Compliance; Snag Lists.
BLDG also provides a wide range of services to commercial property owners and occupiers, from Technical Due Diligence, Pre-Acquisition Building Surveys, Vendor Surveys, Feasibility Surveys and Development Monitoring to Consultancy, including Schedules of Dilapidations, Schedules of Condition, Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules (PPM), Sinking Fund Calculations, Measured Surveys, Statutory Applications (Planning Permissions, Fire Safety & Disability Access Certificates) and Assigned Certifier.
In addition, the practice offers tailored project management services to its clients for building works on existing premises, which include: Feasibility Study; Space Planning & Design Services; Cost Consultancy, Tender Preparation and Contract Administration. BLDG’s depth of experience ensures that regardless of the size or type of property or portfolio, it can also provide effective, tailored solutions to all your requirements.
Asked what the key to BLDG’s growth has been, David replies: “We keep things small and tight for our clients. We only bring in other consultants as they’re needed.
“We have a great name as a building surveyor, with most of our work being secured through word of mouth and referrals from satisfied customers. Regardless of the size of the client, we strive to give them the right advice and to go above and beyond for them. That’s why they keep coming back to us.
“We are continually striving to develop our business in an ever-changing market.”
Good teamwork has also been central to the BLDG success story. To this end, Sean and David have surrounded themselves with personnel who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise in building surveying. They are joined by director Aidan McDonald, chartered building surveyor David Hegarty, building surveyor Niall Hegarty, interior designer Paula Lacey and building surveyor Sean Watters.
Having completed his Building Surveying Degree in Dundalk IT in 2006, Sean Mooney worked with Alan Caren & Partners before setting up his own business. He is a Registered Building Surveyor and Project Manager as well as an Associate Member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).
David Murray also graduated from Dundalk IT with a Building Surveying Degree in 2007 before joining the international consultancy firm, Watts Consultancy. Having worked his way up to a senior position in 2013, he then joined The Building Consultancy where he held the position of Associate Director up to 2020.
David is a Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor, and member of both the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Aidan McDonald joined BLDG in October 2024. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2008 with an Honours Degree (BSc. Hons) in Building Surveying and a Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS). He holds broad experience across all areas of building surveying, both commercial and domestic. However, his particular focus is the area of commercial building surveying, including dilapidations and associated commercial lease matters, building surveys, technical due diligence, fire safety, general commercial property advice, repair, modernisation and fitout.
Aidan is a Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor and member of both the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Niall Hegarty is also a holder of a Degree in Building Surveying. Upon graduating from Dundalk IT, he moved to Melbourne, Australia where he joined Macutex, a large-scale Asset Management company, as a Technical Quality Assurance Specialist managing a number of major projects in the greater Victoria and Queensland area. In February 2020, he joined BLDG where he is involved in the entire spectrum of Building Services, with a strong focus on the residential side of the business.
A brother of Niall’s, David Hegarty graduated from Dundalk IT in 2015 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Building Surveying and soon after joined Harmon McCarthy Projects, a civil engineering practice based in Ashbourne. In 2021, David moved to McCarthy Building Consultants where he took a senior role in residential new build and extension projects.
David joined BLDG in 2024 and has put his experience in the residential construction industry to use, undertaking the assigned certifier and PSDP roles in residential new build and extension projects. David is working in the residential and commercial aspects of business.
Paula Lacey joined the north Co. Dublin-based practice in 2020. After graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts Hons Degree in Interior Design and Furniture from DIT, she freelanced with her own commercial design company. She then travelled the world, working predominantly in the hospitality industry in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Her speciality during that time was designing and launching new venues and concept spaces. She loves seeing a project come to life and is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and results for her clients.
Sean Watters is the latest addition to the team. He is a graduate of University of Ulster where he studied Construction Management and is relishing his new role.
To sum up, BLDG’s mission is to provide concise and accurate advice that instills confidence in their clients, while gaining trust through commitment and understanding in every interaction. They aim to be your trusted partner in navigating your property journey.
BLDG Chartered Surveyors
Unit 4,
84 Strand Street,
Townsparks,
Skerries,
Co. Dublin,
K34 VW93.
Telephone: 087 949 0839 (Sean) / 086 0444 049 (David)
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Web: www.bldg.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2026, Vol 12 No 8
BLDG Chartered Surveyors, featured
