It seems like the sky is the limit for Tralee-headquartered Reidy Roofing, who have over the past 13 years and counting established themselves as one of Ireland’s premier roofing and cladding contractors. Building Ireland had a chat with founder and hands-on MD Chris Reidy to get an insight into an industry-leading company which consistently reaches new heights.
Specialising in high-quality, bespoke commercial and industrial roofing and cladding projects, Reidy Roofing invariably deliver exceptional solutions to client’s exact specification and complete satisfaction, combining superior products with unbeatable workmanship, all backed up with the highest levels of customer service.
This is why Reidy Roofing is widely regarded as one of the most reliable, professional and safety-conscious roofing contractors covering the Cork / Kerry and greater Munster region, achieving superior results every time on a wide range of specialist commercial and industrial roofing and cladding projects for a who’s who of main contractors and clients – from schools, hotels, hospitals, churches and factories to apartment blocks, retail units, accommodation and office blocks, power stations, airports, residential buildings, health centres and everything in between.
One of the many things that really sets Reidy Roofing apart from the competition is that they have their own in-house production expertise for rainscreen and cladding jobs, which allows them to always maintain control over programme and deliver on behalf of their clients.
“We have our own press brakes and guillotines and we make all our own profiles and flashing, and do all our own aluminium,” Chris confirms. “Having our own machinery and machinists allows us to keep control over every aspect of the project, including lead times.
“This means you are not being held up on site. Because we have our own in-house production, we have a quick turnaround with all rainscreen and cladding jobs. I just got fed up of waiting for the materials for awkward jobs and decided to go and make my own, which has proven to be the right decision.”
Chris Reidy has been working in roofing for 25 years, since he was 17. The Tralee man established Reidy Roofing in September, 2010, having operated successfully as a sole trader for a few years prior to that. Industrial and commercial roofing is what he knows best and a dedicated, specialist service is guaranteed and delivered every time, resulting in a steady volume of repeat business from satisfied clients as well as regular new business on the back of previously-completed, high-quality projects.
Using the very best products and systems on the market, the bottom line is that Reidy Roofing installs the most comprehensive choice of specialist commercial and industrial roofing, cladding and rainscreen solutions available to the construction industry in Ireland.
Reidy Roofing is an approved installer covering the Munster region for Sika-Trocal single-ply roofing membranes and waterproofing systems as well as offering innovative, sustainable VMZINC roofing, façade and rainwater systems for building envelopes. They also do torch-on felt and install the full Kingspan range of roofing insulation including high-quality architectural panels.
“The quality of the product is absolutely paramount,” Chris stresses. “Service also has to be right and the client you are doing the work for has to give clear instructions. There’s no point having a good product and the best service if the client isn’t issuing the job right.
“But the No.1 thing is the product. You have to go for quality. I always insist on using proven, high-quality products. It defeats the purpose if you put in a cheaper, inferior product that isn’t going to last as long. I don’t work like that. I’ll put in a good product, professionally using skilled and experienced roofing contractors, and will give a good warranty. That’s what clients deserve.”
A working director, who spends much of his time on site, Chris oversees a crew of seven, all of whom are vastly experienced and have worked with him long-term. Reidy Roofing works regularly for all the leading contractors locally, including Clancy Construction, Ned O’Shea Construction, Eamon Costello, Griffin Brothers, Evan & Kelliher Construction, Farnes Construction and Parkway Construction to mention just a handful.
“We’re doing a lot of school roofing refurbs to bring them up to the required insulation value, quite a few cladding refurbishment jobs and also some new builds,” the personable proprietor notes. Some current and recently-completed projects include all the rainscreening on Bandon Road student accommodation for Clancy; roofing and cladding at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork for Clancy; a SikaShield torch-on flat roof refurb at Rathmore National School, Kerry; a SikaShield refurb at Scoil Eoin, Tralee; roofing and cladding at Ardfert National School, Kerry; a refurbishment at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Ballybunion, Kerry; and work at Casteltownbere Harbour offices, Kerry Airport and Churchill GAA as well as some large private jobs for small builders in Dingle.
Looking to the short and long term future, Chris is pleased to report that the order book looks healthy at present while there are currently no plans to grow the business any bigger: “We have a few months’ work ahead of us, which is always good to see. Once you have three months ahead of you, that’s enough for me.
“I’m happy with the size I’m at. I was up to nine or ten men in the past but I’m happy out with two crews of men: seven or eight workers. Down here in Kerry that’s enough. I’m at a nice size now and things are going well.
“I use all direct staff, with no subbies, so everything is done right with no corners cut, ever,” the quality- and safety-conscious roofing contractor concludes. “We pride ourselves on doing everything right and that’s the approach Reidy Roofing will always take.”
Reidy Roofing,
Unit 17 Ridgeview,
Monavally Industrial. Estate,
Tralee,
County Kerry.
Tel: 087 2136061
Email: [email protected]
Web: reidyroofing.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, November 2023, Vol 9 No 11
