Mayo-based Kellman Developments Ltd. consistently delivers a wide array of high-quality private and public construction projects that invariably meet or exceed client expectations. We headed to Ballinrobe and sat down with hands-on founder / managing director Cathal Kelly to find out more about this industry-leading general contracting company.
Over the past twelve years and counting, Kellman Developments has forged a stellar reputation as one of the most professional building contractors in the west of Ireland, having successfully completed a comprehensive range of residential and commercial construction projects to the highest possible standards of excellence, always maintaining a strong line of communication with the client to ensure total customer satisfaction every time.
With the focus very much on outstanding workmanship and enduring relationships, Kellman has the capacity to take on and successfully deliver all project types from bespoke new build homes, multi-unit developments and Commercial Projects of varying sizes and complexity.
Kellman Developments provide a complete service in-house, from initial groundworks on a greenfield site through to Handover.
“In the past, we were depending on subcontractors for our civils packages, and it just wasn’t working out. The difficulty was trying to coordinate the logistics of getting machine drivers and groundworkers to site as per programme. This constant battle can throw your programme of works off, resulting in delays and extra costs. It was hard work trying to keep on top of this, so we made the commercial decision of investing in our own Plant & Machinery. This has given us complete control over the Civils on all our projects enabling us to programme our works with greater clarity resulting in time and cost savings for us and our clients.
Today, Kellman Developments own and operate plant & machinery including a fleet of company vans, 13-tonne track machines ,8-tonne, 5-tonne and 3-tonne excavators, teleporters, road sweepers and assorted tractors, low loaders and dumpers along with this Kellman Developments generates full time direct employment for 20 staff, including an in-house crew of skilled experienced carpenters, joiners , Concreters, ground workers and painters & decorators – plus the same again in subcontractors.
Cathal established the company in 2006 and expanded into general contracting in 2010, having previously worked as a block layer. “I had worked as a block layer prior to ’06 and that’s what I focussed on up until 2010, when I started doing private residential work,” he recalls. “A friend asked me to look after a house he was building, and the general contracting just grew naturally from there.
“At one point I was building houses and had block laying gangs on the go at the same time and it got to the stage where I had to choose between one or the other as I couldn’t keep both going. I decided to go down the building road and a couple of the lads who were working with me set up as block laying contractors. It worked out well as those lads are still subbies with me to this day.”
By listening closely to client needs, Cathal can give them an end product that meets their expectation. “We have a very good reputation thankfully and benefit from very favourable word of mouth. A lot of our work has come through repeat business and referrals. There were many years there where I didn’t advertise at all. It’s only in the last three years or so, as we’ve grown more into the public sector side of things, that I’ve branded the vans.”
The way the business has evolved, Kellman has a nice balance of work at present, split almost 50:50 between private and public Works projects. In terms of public works, predominantly covering education and healthcare for the time being, they are also on the framework for the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), An Post, Mayo County Council and have carried out work for Mayo County, Sligo County Council, NUI, GMIT, Local Health Authorities and RehabCare.
Cathal estimates that at the time of writing he has a good 18 months of work ahead of him. “I have seven new houses waiting to start but am trying to finish anything that’s close to completion before I Commence new projects. Now, we’re about to site set-up at St Michael’s Special Needs National School in Castlerea. This is a four-classroom extension which includes a very large ESB Diversion, muck shift and civils package.”
While many builders are reluctant to book in work at present due to the volatility and uncertainty in the economy, Cathal is acutely cognisant of the fact that he has a team of men and women depending on him to generate work:
“As I have such a big crew, I have to keep taking on work,” he reveals. “I’ve spent twelve years trying to pull together a crew of top-class tradesmen and I handpicked them all myself. The last thing you want to do is leave anybody at home. Look, it’s a constant battle but this is what I want to be doing. I’m lucky to have very loyal staff. I’m also lucky to have a very good QS in the office, and they are very difficult to get. As well as that, I have an excellent accounts manager and admin staff who are also experienced in HR, which again is a massive asset to the business.”
Any client of Kellman Developments can rest assured that they will receive a personal touch from Cathal Kelly, who can bring great experience and guidance to bear on any project and is also not shy in sharing his opinion. “I definitely wouldn’t be one to hold back if I felt something was being done wrong or could potentially be done better,” he concedes.
“If I believe something isn’t right I don’t mind saying it in front of the client or the design team. I will give my honest opinion as a builder and will talk to people I’ll always provide them with any knowledge and advice I can.
“We also do cost exercises on behalf of the client, locating where there is value engineering to be had on projects. This entails meeting with the client and discussing where from our experience we see value and savings. The result of these exercises makes the project more affordable and feasible, which is obviously in everybody’s best interest.”
Going forward, Kellman Developments will continue to focus on delivering value-added construction solutions without ever compromising on quality
By all accounts, Kellman Developments have proven time and again that they possess the manpower, experience and means to complete any building project, large or small, from start to finish and to the most exacting standards and with an impressive order book in front of them are obviously a builder in high demand.
Kellman Developments Ltd.,
Annfield,
Hollymount,
County Mayo.
Tel: 087 6509808
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, January 2023, Vol 9 No 1
