Based in Miltown-Malbay, Co Clare, Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd specialises in building extensions, renovations and roofing projects for its clients. Building Ireland touched base with the man himself to learn all about this thriving construction business situated in the Banner County.
These are busy times at Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd and the plan for Paul and his team down in Miltown-Malbay is to try and keep things that way right through to 2022.
Operating with a team of seven skilled men, the company offers clients services in Extensions, Building Renovations, Attic Conversions, Conservatories, First & Second Fixing and Property Maintenance.
Paul O’Looney first went out on his own close to a decade ago before setting up his Limited venture two years ago.
Building Ireland caught up with the Co Clare man recently to find out more about Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd – from its origins to the state of business today.
“We’re based in Annagh, Miltown-Malbay, Co Clare and we’re established two years now as a limited company,” Paul outlined.
“We’ve seven staff in total and basically we provide new builds, renovation and extension services for our clients, many of which would be in the locality here.”
A carpenter by trade, Paul earned years of experience under his belt before deciding to go out on his own with his construction venture in 2012 as a sole trader.
Next year will mark an even decade since the Banner County native took the decision and, thankfully, he hasn’t looked back since.
Strong relationships with clients have been built along the way and repeat business has been crucial to the growth of the business.
In 2019, Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd was born and its founder was good enough to fill us in on the details of its origins.
“I’m a carpenter by trade and things had gone quiet in 2011 with the recession,” he said.
“The construction industry was hit hard by it but I still decided it was the right time to start up on my own. It was definitely though at the start but we got through it and, once we did, business started to grow and we got busier and busier with projects.”
Weeks rolled into months and months into years as Paul’s business became more and more established around Clare, especially in areas like Spanish Point and Lahinch.
Its reputation for top quality work became renowned and, soon enough, Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd would be trading.
However, only a year into its existence and the world would be rocked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Irish construction sector would be shut down practically overnight in March 2020, as government lockdown was enforced nationwide in an attempt to battle the spread of the virus.
Those few months were tough, as Paul explained, but he’s glad to report that business has been thriving since.
“We were shut down for the first lockdown last year,” he said.
“Things opened up again in May and we actually got busier with work and right now we’re very busy, so we can’t have any complaints with the way things are at the moment.”
Business is indeed booming, with extension and renovation work strong in particular for Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd at the moment.
The company has a handful of projects on-going at the minute which are likely to keep it busy until towards the end of 2021, according to the Managing Director.
“Right now, we’re building a couple of houses and we’re also on a restaurant called the Black Oak, which is outside of Lahinch,” said Paul.
“We also have refurbishment work on-going on two cottages as well, so it’s enough to keep us going for the next couple of months.”
So, the burning question is what has been the secret to success for Paul O’Looney since taking the decision to go out on his own almost a decade ago?
Candid as ever, the man himself says price combined with a quality finished project goes a long way in this line of work.
“I have a good relationship with some architects in Clare which has led to us working together on different projects and new builds,” he said.
“To be honest, the cheapest price usually gets it and we try to stay as competitive as we can with our prices here.
“Most of our work is around Lahinch and Spanish Point, so I’d like to think we’ve a good name around that area.”
Looking towards the months ahead, Paul himself is keen to grow his business further and ensure that clients are continually satisfied with his company’s work.
“We are looking to just try and keep growing,” he said. “I suppose expansion is something you always have to be looking at when it comes to keeping up with customer demand, and hopefully we’ll be adding one or two more here in the coming months provided that we continue to stay busy.”
Great to hear.
Paul O’Looney Construction Ltd
Annagh,
Miltown-Malbay,
Co Clare
Mobile: 087 411 2979
E-mail: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October, Vol 7 No 10
