Based in Bantry, Co. Cork, Bantry MCM Construction Ltd. specialises in new builds, renovations and extensions, as well as roofing and first and second fixed carpentry. Building Ireland spoke with company Co-director Tadhg McCarthy to learn all about the company – from its origins to the projects it has ongoing at the moment and their plans for the future.
Business has been good for Bantry MCM Construction Ltd. since it was founded in 2019 by Tadhg McCarthy, a qualified carpenter and roofer and Christopher Murnane, a block layer by trade, with various experience in groundwork and landscaping. Both men with more than 20 years’ experience in the building industry.
When Building Ireland touched base with Tadhg and Chris recently, it learned that, because of their previous experience in the building industry and an established contact and client base, the two friends saw an opportunity to set up Bantry MCM Construction Ltd.
“We are established two and a half years now and business has been going really well for us. We have six people working in the company, including co-owner Chris and myself and two apprentices (under SOLAS). As each project came to completion, we were also able to increase our fleet of machinery which we felt was important to get bigger projects done more efficiently and in a timely manner,” says Tadhg.
“We started off with a few smaller projects, then we got one big refurbishment contract and things kind of took off from there for us.”
The company works with clients all throughout West Cork. “Right now we are working on a big house with a flat roof overlooking Bantry Bay. It was an old building which was completely gutted out and modernised to the client’s wishes. It is now open plan inside with big windows, making the most of the views.
“We have also done commercial work, with the refurbishment of Newtown Pharmacy in Bantry being one of our bigger projects.”
The quality and high standard of work on past projects has always stood to the company when it comes to securing new work with clients. “I would say about 95% of our work is referral work from previous clients and people who have seen our work in and around West Cork,” confirms Tadhg.
The Bantry native also mentions that the company tries to source their building materials as local as possible to each project to support local businesses.
When asking Tadhg what they think is important when working with clients in the building industry he comments: “We feel it is important to have an open ear to our clients’ wishes and we offer advice on what is achievable and what not. We also provide input on design ideas based on our previous experiences, whether it be contemporary or traditional style houses. We work with a good team of subcontractors to try and make the buildings as energy efficient as possible with an aim of future proofing houses to a good sustainable standard.”
Working in the building industry hasn’t been without challenges. The biggest of yet was the lockdown of the building sector due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the associated government restrictions. Bantry MCM Construction Ltd. had to shut down some of its projects overnight as a result of it.
“We are still seeing the effects of the pandemic as the demand for building materials remains high and the associated price increases are affecting everyone.”
However, Tadhg is glad to report that 2021 has been very much a successful year for the company thus far and they are looking forward to new exciting projects and hopefully expanding their company more in the forthcoming years.
MCM Construction Ltd.
Bantry,
Co. Cork
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2021, Vol 7 No 12
