Specialising in new builds, extensions and renovations, Damark Construction Ltd has earned an enviable reputation in the Donegal and South Dublin residential sectors.
Celebrating five years in business, the company continues to go from strength to strength under directors Damian Friel and Mark McLaughlin (hence the name Damark). The two friends decided to combine their skills in 2018 after spending the previous six years working together for a leading groundworks and civils firm in London. “I returned from Australia in 2012 and Damian got me a job in the company he was working for. The rest, as they say, is history,” Mark smiles.
With bases in Muff, Co. Donegal and Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Damark Construction is perfectly positioned to cater for the requirements of its growing client list. Having initially made its name in the South Dublin residential sector, it now enjoys a similarly strong reputation in Damian and Mark’s home county of Donegal, and the Inishowen area in particular.
“About 95% of our work was in Dublin up until a year ago when McCabe Architects put us in touch with a client who was building a contemporary split-level 4,500 sq. ft. home outside Malin town. That went very well for us and led to us getting other jobs in the area. Our work is now split 50/50 between Donegal and Dublin,” Mark explains.
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Damark Construction. Health & Safety is at the core of the business, and never more so than since the Covid-19 pandemic. From concept to completion, Damian, Mark and their 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.
Damark Construction’s one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The 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.
The five-strong Damark crew are supported by the same tried and trusted subcontractors on nearly every project, including McLaughlin & Curran Building Services, Crana Stone, Just Tiling and Larbert Construction. Mark’s brother John is a partner with Shane Curran in Muff-based McLaughlin & Curran, while Damian’s brother Emmett is owner of Crana Stone in Buncrana which is a professional stonemasonry service with many years of experience. Just Tiling is run by Justin Gallagher, while Brian McColgan and Damien Laird are the people behind joinery firm Larbert Construction.
Damark Construction’s main suppliers are Chadwicks (Robinhood Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 22 and Letterkenny), Murdock’s in Derry, Inishowen Co-op in Carndonagh and PL Plant Hire in Buncrana, while it engages with the aforementioned McCabe Architects in Donegal town and Mark Carlin & Associates in Carndonagh on a regular basis.
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.
“All of our work is secured through word of mouth. Trust and transparency are key to any successful working relationship. Every client is valued and treated the same regardless of their size. We’re always available and try to do a good, clean job on every project.”
Business is good for Damark Construction which is renowned for building beautiful bespoke and energy efficient homes, maximising your living space and revamping exquisite period houses in the leafy suburbs of South Dublin.
“Our first job was in Ranelagh and we’ve just finished another renovation there,” Mark reveals.
“We have two new builds taking place in Blackrock and Rathmines as well as a renovation in Blackrock. We’re also renovating a house in Milford which was built in the 1950s and have a small extension in Muff coming up. We have the experience and expertise to take on the most challenging and complex of builds.”
Mark admits that rising material costs caused by a combination of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have been a challenge for everyone.
“While the costs have settled, they are still 50% above where they were before Covid. The price of concrete products has risen sharply in the last six months and this is being acutely felt. It’s an expensive time to be building or renovating a house, but we try our best to keep costs down.”
Passionate about construction, Damian and Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank their clients, suppliers and designers for their continued support as well as their staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and skill.
Here’s the next five years and many more!
Damark Construction Ltd
DONEGAL OFFICE:
Aught Road,
Muff,
Co. Donegal.
DUBLIN OFFICE:
Irwin Street,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8.
Telephone: 083 3666082
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.damark.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2023, Vol 9 No 8
