For more than 30 years, Sweeney Construction in Killorglin, County Kerry have been delivering unrivalled building contracting services on an impressive portfolio of residential and commercial properties across the Kingdom. Building Ireland got an insight from hands-on director Jim Sweeney Jnr., who was runner-up in the inaugural Ireland / UK Screwfix Top Tradesperson awards last year.
As second- and third-generation carpenters, the father-and-son team behind Sweeney Construction place a major emphasis on quality workmanship. The attention to detail brought to bear on every project undertaken is second to none and this is one of the many reasons why this exceptional industry-leading family business has gone from strength to strength since its genesis in 1988. “Attention to detail is a big thing around here,” confirms Jim Sweeney Jnr., who runs the business alongside his dad, Jim Snr. “We are both chippies by trade and Grandfather would have been a chippy as well. We’re very hands-on and I’d be on site every day myself. When you are busy, it’s hard to be on tools but you can’t take your eye off the ball, especially with one-off houses, because we are offering a service first and foremost. We are very thorough and we pride ourselves on finishing projects to the highest possible standard.”
This meticulous approach to unparalleled workmanship is borne out by the fact that Jim Jnr. was shortlisted for the 2020 Ireland / UK Screwfix Top Tradesperson award. Selected for his sheer passion for the trade, determination to succeed and demonstrating how he goes above and beyond the call of duty for customers, the Killorglin contractor made the final ten from a field of 2,500 entrants. “You are only as good as your last job,” he continues sincerely. “You could spend years building up your name and you could lose it all overnight if you don’t consistently exercise the keenest attention to detail and keep your eye fixed firmly on the ball. If you keep your sites tidy, clean and accident- free – which doesn’t happen by accident – then that’s a really good start. After that, it’s important to use quality materials, skilled tradesmen and to be consistent in what you do.”
Covering South Kerry and Mid Kerry predominantly, Sweeney Construction have completed an extensive and prestigious portfolio of projects, mainly comprising one-off high-spec residential new builds and extensions / renovations. They have also successfully delivered many landmark commercial projects down through the years, including Killorglin Family Resource Centre, Murphy Marine Valentia boat building factory and Teahans Bar & Guest House accommodation, Cromane. With a strong construction heritage that goes back more than half a century, the Sweeneys possess a clear passion for all things building related… “You have to enjoy it,” Jim Jnr. enthuses. “My wife said to me once that I don’t work, I play – because I enjoy it so much. And, in fairness, that’s true to an extent. I was passing tools to my father at the age of nine or ten and this is all I ever wanted to do. He started out as a subcontractor in ’88, roofing schools etc., and gradually grew to provide a general contracting service.”
Jim Jnr. has been working full-time alongside his father since the start of the millennium. In addition to a trusted core of subbies, the duo employ all their own carpenters and block layers in-house and also operate their own apprenticeship scheme. Sweeney Construction is affiliated to SOLAS, the CIF, CIRI and HomeBond.
“At the moment, we have three chippies, one apprentice chippy and a block layer. Between us, we have the capacity to do most of the work ourselves – and probably could if we were only working on one house at a time. Generally, we do all the carpentry and concrete work ourselves, which gives you more control of the finish.
The plastering, plumbing, electricity and PVC Fascia & Soffit are all subcontracted out. We use a team of regular subcontractors, which is better from the client’s point of view as it means you have consistency there and a proven team who can work together to the standards we expect.”
Although they have a proven track record in the commercial sector, the greater part of Sweeney Construction’s work today comprises high-end residential new builds (typically ranging from
€300,000 to €400,000) and bespoke refurbishment / extension projects where existing properties are extensively remodeled and increased in size. At the time of writing, they are engaged on two such projects on beachside properties in Kells Bay, South Kerry as well as a new build in Mid Kerry.
Like many of their projects, the former was secured through repeat custom or word of mouth as Sweeney Construction successfully completed projects on other properties nearby previously. “Word of mouth is everything and that’s why you have to keep your standards up,” says Jim Jnr. “Our name is good and we are at a nice size.
We are happy with the size we are at and wouldn’t be looking to go any bigger. As things are, we can provide a personal touch and we can supervise every project and keep tight control of it.”
The Kerry man adds that he won’t be drawn into a race to the bottom when it comes to price: “Our emphasis is on quality. I bend over backwards for the customer and you can’t buy that kind of service. Because of the quality, they will always get value in what they pay for. A cheap, quick solution is worthless. We insist on quality materials that we can stand over and we have found our niche. We stick to what we know and that has served us well. There’s plenty of work there at the moment but, as I’ve said, we are more than happy to remain at this size.”
Commercial projects such as the aforementioned Killorglin Family Resource Centre, which was completed in 2008 to the tune of €400,000, and the ten-bedroom guesthouse and pub renovation at Teahans, which was delivered in 2015, have become the exception rather than the rule, although Sweeney Construction boast the expertise and wherewithal to carry out any kind of building work. “Most of it is residential but if you work for a family and it’s a repeat customer you will do what they want you to do and look after them.”
In keeping with the ethos of providing exceptional customer service, the line of communication between contractor and client is kept open throughout the entire process, from first contact through to handover. “It’s vital to keep the client in the loop and to make yourself available,” the dedicated Kerry contractor concludes.
Sweeney Construction,
Stookisland, Killorglin, County Kerry.
Tel: 0876147419
Email: [email protected]
Web: sweeneybuilders.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July, Vol 7 No 7
