DRM Construction Ltd in Spancilhill, Co. Clare is a leading building contractor specialising in residential new builds and renovations.
Established in 1999, the company has earned an enviable reputation for building beautiful bespoke and energy efficient homes in Co. Clare and beyond. It is fronted by Mark Rafferty and his wife Deirdre (DRM stands for Deirdre, Rafferty and Mark) and employs four people directly as well as many more on a subcontract basis. A carpenter by trade, Mark set up the business as a sole trader shortly after returning from Australia.
“I worked with Brian McCarthy Contractors in Ennis for a year before deciding to go out on my own. It was something I was always going to do. While there have been many challenges along the way, we’re still going strong,” explains Mark, who is a native of Glenullin, Co. Derry.
Superior workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of DRM Construction. Health & Safety is at the core of the business, and never more so than since the Covid-19 pandemic. From concept to completion, Mark and his small
but dedicated 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.
DRM Construction’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Co. Clare 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.
Mark and his crew are supported by the same tried and trusted subcontractors, including Declan Malone Electrical, Jackie Daly Plastering, Patrick Hegarty Block-laying and Robbie Madden Roofing. Mark’s main suppliers are Shannonside Homevalue Hardware, John O’Donnell General Merchant, Chadwicks, Williams Concrete Products, CSGL Electrical Wholesaler, NC Paint & Décor, Best Price Tiles, Tubs & Tiles and Brian Pyne Tiles.
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.
“We enjoy an excellent relationship with our subbies, suppliers, architects and engineers,” Mark points out.
“You’re only as good as your last job so that’s why I like to stay on top of things. I’m very hands-on. I could be driving a digger one minute and on top of a roof the next. We used to do some commercial work for the likes of the HSE, but it’s all residential now. That’s our niche and that’s what we’re good at. The new one-off houses we build are typically over 2,000 sq. ft. No-one is building a small house anymore. We’d build an average of three-four new homes a year.”
DRM Construction is currently putting the finishing touches to its first private housing development – Canon’s Field – in Tulla, Co. Clare. The small development consists of eight five-bed two storey dwellings with optional garden stores, ancillary site works and connection to public services. Joe Quinn & Associates was the engineer on the project, while Cyril O’Reilly Design Ltd was the architect.
“We’ll be handing over the houses to their new owners in the next few weeks. They are a well-built, spacious and energy efficient home located across the road from the new St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla,” says Mark, who is also renovating a 120-year-old house in Quin, Co. Clare at present.
Spiralling material costs caused by a combination of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine along with labour shortages are two of the biggest challenges facing small builders like Mark.
“While the cost of most materials has settled down a bit, the price of cement continues to sky-rocket. It has put an extra strain on our customers. But an even bigger problem is the shortage of skilled labour. The tradesmen simply aren’t there to cater for demand. The Government can talk all they want about delivering X-number of new houses per year, but it’s not possible to meet those targets without having the people to build them,” he adds.
Passionate about construction, Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as his staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
DRM Construction Ltd
Kilfilum,
Spancilhill,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
Telephone: 086 826 6868
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2023, Vol 9 No 8
