Specialising in bespoke, one-of-a-kind remodelling, redesign and extension / renovation projects, Sigma Homes’ client-focused, architecturally led Design & Build team consistently delivers dream results in the key areas of quality, value, creativity, service and sustainability.
Nobody delivers dream home transformations better than Sigma Homes. Synonymous with architecturally designed extensions, renovations and retrofits, Sigma Homes is an industry-leading, multi-award-winning Cork-based Design & Build team of experienced professionals. This team of professionals have the experience, knowledge and application to achieve client satisfaction on every project undertaken.
The very nature of the core service provided by Sigma Homes – upgrading already-existing properties and in the process maximising the performance and efficiency levels of these homes as opposed to constructing new ones – means that sustainability is one of bedrocks upon which this exceptional company is built:
Office & Sales Manager Eilís Fleming confirms that sustainability and the environmental impact of construction are anything but afterthoughts to the conscientious and client-focused Sigma Homes team: “Sustainability is hugely important to us and our clients. We have been working very closely with Cork City and County Council to address vacancy and dereliction, and to be able to provide clients with detailed information on the various grants available.
“Waiting lists for houses are through the roof now and as Frank McDonald, Author and Editor, of the Irish Times noted ‘the most sustainable building is the building that’s already there’.”
The vacant property grant that is available offers up to €50,000 towards upgrading older buildings while the derelict top-up grant can add a further €20,000 towards the refurbishment.
“Our intention is to promote and assist our clients access and then achieve the grants that the government are pushing for vacant and derelict properties,” Eilís continues.
“There are specific criteria to qualify for these grants but at the same time they apply to a lot more buildings than people might think. Also, with the vacancy grant, it’s worth noting that if you don’t successfully receive it, this decision can be appealed and most of these appeals tend to be successful with the right professional’s backup. Thankfully, once the grant has been approved, clients can move into the vacant property, which helps elevate the rental challenges a lot of our customers can face while construction works are pending.”
Every finished project with Sigma Homes is upgraded to a minimum energy rating of ‘A’. The bespoke approach to each remodelling project allows the Sigma team to be extremely specific and focused on providing a redesign that meets the day-to-day living needs of each individual client.
In many respects, a remodelled home is in most if not all cases a more collaborative, heartfelt and personal project than a new build. “It is, 100 per cent,” Eilís agrees. “In my own role here, I’m exposed to every element of the business, and I know from speaking to clients that they are always happy with the project-specific designs we come up with based on their project priorities, design preferences and living habits.
“The feedback I receive from speaking to potential clients is that some designs they have received in the past can seem to be photocopied off each other and not as specific to their property and their needs, as they would like. We do also get a significant number of requests for redesigns of new builds because they were not individually tailored to the purchaser.
“People – including many of my own peers – seem to believe that they must get a new build property but that is not the case. There is unlimited potential in how a good redesign can transform an existing building. As we are all aware there is a massive demand for and need for both refurbished homes and new builds in the market.”
Another beneficial factor of a remodelled home that should not be overlooked is potential cost savings. “It can definitely go to work out more economical and competitive than building a new house, in particular when the grant opportunities are taken into consideration” says Eilís. “As a Design and Build team, we have a very specific step-by-step process which allows us to come up with futureproofed designs that meet with clients’ needs and expectations. We have all the necessary personnel to streamline the project process for our clients.
Geographically, most of the Sigma Homes’ work is within the greater Cork city area, although they do occasionally travel to other locations. “We are known for our short timelines, efficiency and cost management – all to exceed the expectations of our clients. Everything we do is geared towards responsibly looking after clients and providing them with a beautifully-designed dream home as quickly and professionally as possible.
“We work with a broad range of clients from first-time buyers who want to bring a home up to the standards and comfort of modern-day living to retirees returning home to Ireland from abroad, couples who are starting families or families who want to modify or futureproof their homes to cater for older residents or those with special needs.
“There’s a vast demographic of people who use our services and often they will have little or no experience of designing or remodelling a home, so we work with them and guide them through the process from the very first consultation through to completion.”
Not only do Sigma Homes offer a full turnkey solution but they also provide an unmatched guarantee on all works delivered. “We give our clients a ten-year aftercare service, which is otherwise unheard of in this business. This is something we are very proud to stand over for our clients.” Eilís notes. “When it comes to extensions and renovations, existing buildings can be temperamental as you merge together old and new materials, there is always that possibility you could have issues, but we are there to give people complete confidence post-build through our warranty.”
A wonderful 25-strong project management team of architects, interior designers, architectural technicians, engineers and site managers is on hand to look after clients’ every need, while Sigma Homes also has up to four directly employed site crews on the ground at any given time.
“We also work with select quality contractors, who have been with us long-term and who do up to 90 per cent of their work for us. They help us with physical building and commit to our aftercare package.”
Looking to the future, Eilís states that the emphasis at Sigma Homes will remain firmly focused on meeting if not exceeding customer expectations: “One area we’ll be focused on is ensuring that clients have all the information they need on available grants for vacant and derelict buildings. We have just started work on a live site that secured the vacant property grant and we would like to improve our knowledge on these grants so that clients have more confidence.
“Our Team is constantly upskilling. We work closely with Cork Chamber of Commerce and Cork City & County Council, and we are always looking at ways to further educate ourselves, including completing a wide variety of courses, so that we can get more for our clients going forward.
“We have boosted our team with a new design manager and cost estimator as well as a second interior architect, so that we can give more individual assistance to our clients. We’ve added a financial controller to our team so that we can get the best price for our clients when it comes to materials, suppliers and contractors.
“As we continue to further improve our service, we’d like to look at expanding due to the great demand in business, but we will proceed cautiously and won’t grow the business just for the sake of it,” Eilís concludes. “We will only expand if that growth is going to be sustainable and viable long-term. Whatever we do in the future, everything will be done with the best interests of the client in mind.”
Sigma Homes,
Unit A4,
Donnybrook Commercial Centre,
Douglas,
CountyCork
Tel: 021 4365866
Email: [email protected]
Web: sigmahomes.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2024, Vol 10 No 9
