Specialising in innovative and imaginative bespoke commercial fit outs and refurbishments, Nelabuild has quickly earned a stellar reputation as a high-end interior construction company. Building Ireland had a chat with founder / director Niall O’Connor to find out more about this truly outstanding, industry-leading operation.
Renowned across the capital and beyond for delivering interior innovation and high-quality workmanship, Nelabuild has emerged as one of Ireland’s premier fit out companies, invariably bringing projects to programme on time and within budget. Particularly active within the hospitality, retail and workplace sectors, Nelabuild was established by Niall O’Connor in December 2014 and has made quite an impression within a relatively short period of time.
Excellent under pressure, Nelabuild really shine when working on complicated or high-paced fit outs, when time is very much of the essence. Indeed, it is their uncanny ability to think on their feet, demonstrating versatility and professionalism even whilst operating in a live environment with the clock ticking that has seen their reputation spread through word of mouth and positive referrals from satisfied customers.
At the best of times, fit out projects can be demanding in terms of program, cost control and attention to detail. However, when these projects are completed within sensitive areas, where the daily operations of a client and neighbouring occupants must be taken into consideration, the Nelabuild team, through strategic planning, go out of their way to minimise disruption.
Before a project commences, the team uses their broad industry knowledge and experience combined with in-depth consultation to gain an understanding of the exact requirements of their customers, their brands and their businesses. They then work closely with the client and their design team to create an interior that works perfectly for their precise requirements.
“I’m a carpenter/joiner by trade and progressed from there into project management. Starting up our own company made a lot of sense. “I thought I could offer something,” he continues. “I had the experience and got on very well with the clients and subcontractors. I was confident that we could offer high-quality projects with that all-important personal touch. I also have a real passion for it, and I felt that this was the ideal environment for me to work alongside clients and designers with a similar passion.”
Building relationships with clients is vital. “One of our client’s is the Freshly Chopped franchise. Having completed several restaurants for Freshly Chopped, they showed huge confidence in us when we were chosen to fit-out their flagship restaurant, in Smithfield, Dublin.
“We fitted out this new retro style in more restaurants that year and were honoured when we were selected as the preferred contractor to bring the first ever Freshly Chopped to the UK.
“This Manchester store in Piccadilly Gardens opened in February 2019. Having all the added disadvantages of being across the water a lot of necessary pre planning and site surveying had to be carried out before any manufacturing or commencement works could begin on site. Once all was agreed, we sent over one of our experienced teams (it helped that some of them were big man united fans). All the joinery and stone countertops were manufactured back home in Wexford.
“We continue to grow our relationship with Chopped and most recently we were called in on short notice to complete the refurbishment of their store on Baggot Street. We were on site within one week and complete within two, this was very much a design and build with changes to finishes being made live on site. Ever adapting we take the stress for the client out of their refurbishment project.
“Another client we work with is part of a famous Australian franchise of Mexican restaurants, Zambrero. It is an established brand with its own distinct style. Their design team are based in Australia and this presents its own set of unique challenges. Information was received via emails through the night and skype calls were in the mornings at 6am to help keep the client and design team informed and up to speed.
“Nelabuild carried out each individual site survey and relayed the information back to the design team. With different regulations and specifications in both countries, Nelabuild provided the structural engineers and assigned certifiers making sure the fit out was compliant to all Irish building regulations including Fire and DAC. All delivered to a very high standard on budget and within time. To date, five fit outs in Cork, Dublin and Dundalk have been carried out for Zambrero with three further fit outs to be carried out in 2020.
“If you are working where there are restrictions on noise or in a live working environment, this has to be addressed. You must consider everything by planning and organising yourself fully before going on site. We will also make a point of calling to neighbours in advance and announcing ourselves to make sure they have a point of contact if they have any queries or worries.”
At the time of writing, Nelabuild were working on fit-outs for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, the National Treasury Management Agency, Three Ireland, and a large retrofit in Ranelagh. The business continues to grow steadily and organically in response to rising demand. Currently generating full-time employment for a crew of over 15 employees as well as teams of tried and trusted subcontractors. “We like to promote from within the company and regularly upskill our team. We are always on the look-out for new people to add freshness and improve the dynamic. To complete the best projects, you need the best people.
“We do a lot of smaller, fast paced fit outs, where time is of the essence and clients want minimal disruption to their business. Some of these works are carried out over weekends in the likes of some of the Banks we do, such as AIB, BNY, KCC, PWC, and PTSB. These rapid pace fit outs require a lot of forward thinking, pre planning and manufacturing off site. You still have to expect the unexpected, if there is a problem you need to be solution orientated. These premises need to fully functional on Monday morning. This is when our team’s experience and responsive thinking takes control of any situation that may arise, handling any problems with our innovative forward thinking.
“We have also diversified further and now operate in medical facilities and hospitals. These types of environments create the additional challenges of infection control. We need to contain dust by minimizing the dust generated and prevent dust infiltration into adjoining patient care areas. Damp dusting and vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters aid in this process. Air pressure in the work area is to be negative to adjacent areas with the air being exhausted directly to the outside. Also the correct removal of debris (bagged and sealed) and making sure all workers within the area are in the corrective protective clothing. The use of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) and the use of Construction Permits assist in achieving compliance to carry out working in these areas.
“We are ever ready to solve people’s (companies’) problems, when they need a quick reshuffled office layout, or additional electrical capacities, a kitchen or toilet upgrade, a weekend paint job, a private phone booth etc. We understand that some jobs can’t wait and need to be actioned immediately. We understand that some businesses are unable to shut down and that’s when we come in after hours and over weekends, to get their work done with minimum disruption.”
Nelabuild has certainly come a long way in little over five years and Niall is confident that further growth is on the horizon: We are manufacturing for a number of fit outs we are starting in the first quarter of this year; two of them on the shop floor at this moment are Mayo General Hospital and Dogpatch Labs in the CHQ building, two exciting projects we are looking forward to starting. “I think we can grow the business more and believe the best is yet to come. We are continually improving and have earned a trustworthy reputation now with many proven successful projects under our belt. We have met many great people on our journey and it’s a privilege to be working with some of the best architects and designers in the country,” he concludes.
Nelabuild,
Unit 1,
Ballyogan Business Park,
Ballyogan Road,
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.
Tel: 01 9065663
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nelabuild.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2020, Vol 6 No 2
