Coming up on 15 years in business, Terra Nua Building Contractors offer a range of building solutions across the residential, commercial, industrial, retail and institutional sectors.
The family-run business is an established and reliable contractor of distinction with a growing client-base in the South-East and beyond. Based in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Terra Nua offers the best traditional building methods, using both contemporary and traditional materials to optimise its clients’ finished building, in terms of appearance, style, durability and overall function. The company provides clients with project management, design and build, tendering, project cost engineering, turnkey construction and retained maintenance services.
Terra Nua aims to offer the best built and managed project for their clients, giving regard to what they want, what is possible and what is most economically and environmentally viable. They do this by caring for all the stakeholders every step of the way and work with a strong social conscience to achieve a win-win outcome for all. Terra Nua are committed to being the highest quality construction company by building long-term relationships based on integrity, performance, innovation, value-for-money and exceeding their clients’ expectations. Furthermore, the company prides itself on its craftsmanship, competency, professionalism and ability to complete every job on time and within budget.
“Clients choose us because we are capable and experienced professionals who can project manage, build and provide advice every step of the way for the build you want,” says Lucia Quealy, who runs Terra Nua along with her husband John McGrath.
“We treat our business like a business. This means you will get a written quote, a project plan by week, VAT invoices, and we will manage the agreed costs for you. By looking out for both you, the customer, we protect both you and ourselves.
“We care and look after our people, be they clients, staff, sub-contractors or suppliers. A commitment to supporting local suppliers, sub-contractors and tradesmen has been central to our success. We are fully insured, hold Tax Clearance certification, and only use fully insured and registered sub-contractors. Our eight direct employees, who consist of management, foremen, labourers and administration personnel, are covered by the Construction Workers Pension and Sick Pay Schemes.
“We care about all the projects we undertake, but also accept and understand that our clients care even more than we do. This is what differentiates us from other builders. We are always willing to go the extra mile, to listen and to understand your specific requirements.”
Terra Nua, which means ‘New Ground’, was established in 2006 by John and Lucia in their native Dungarvan after they returned from the UK where they had worked in construction and HR respectively. A chartered builder, John had also worked in Dublin and all over Munster.
“John’s background is in commercial work, but he has branched into other areas such as school builds, school maintenance, residential builds, residential, commercial and listed buildings refurbishment / renovation work in recent years. He covers the full spectrum,” Lucia explains.
Terra Nua Building Contractors have extensive experience in the commercial and industrial sector, both custom-built and renovation projects. The focus on these building projects is all about creating a space that is both fit for purpose and also future proofed and capable of anticipating and adapting to the changing business and technological landscape in which we live and operate in.
The contractor is very proud of its residential portfolio of work. Working with residential clients is how it likes to build homes. Having a great design to work with is a good starting place, but working with clients, anticipating and then meeting their needs to achieve the home of their dreams is what makes the difference.
The retail and leisure sectors are fast-paced, meaning very often the building works have to be completed while the existing business continues to trade as normal. Terra Nua has earned a reputation for being able to provide a near seamless project management input into these projects, which results in keeping both the client and their customers happy.
Working with clients like Glanbia, Eurofins, Radley Engineering, Waterford City & County Council, WWETB and the HSE, Terra Nua has earned a reputation for excellence. The company has been involved in a number of high-profile projects in Waterford in recent years, including the rebuilding and refurbishment of Glanbia Shared Services Offices following extensive fire damage, the refurbishment of Garvey’s SuperValu and Centra stores in Dungarvan and the provision of a purpose-built residential unit for Carriglea Cairde Services in Killosera.
Terra Nua also worked on the new flexible work space in the Dungarvan Enterprise Centre as part of the Smarter Travel Initiative, installing video conferencing facilities, hot-desking and ‘think tank’ spaces. More recently, they have completed extension works to Dungarvan Nissan as well as to the Daybreak Restaurant area on the forecourt of the same site. They have also completed a new canteen at Radley Engineering Ltd.
Currently, Terra Nua are transforming the remaining dormitory areas in St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan into new classrooms and installing a lift-shaft. They also played an important role in reopening the local economy after the Covid-19 lockdown by installing protective Glass and Polycarbonate screens in shops, offices, restaurants, cinemas and other businesses.
Lucia concludes by saying: “Our unique selling point is that we are solution-based builders. We can do anything from fixing a leaky roof to giving advice on planning, building, cost engineering and managing larger commercial and institutional projects.
“By having an office in the middle of Dungarvan, we’re visible to everyone. When we set up a site, we put up a sign. We’re not afraid to let people know what we’re doing. Everything is 100% transparent with us.”
Terra Nua Building Contractors are always open for business and will make time to meet with potential clients and suppliers. They stay ahead of the competition by offering the very best products and services to their clients.
Terra Nua Building Contractors,
33 Main Street,
Dungarvan,
Co. Waterford.
Telephone: 058 41424
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.terra-nua.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September/October 2020, Vol 6 No 5
Terra Nua Building Contractors
