Local company offers complete package for building projects

EVER since relocating to its Garden Vale office in Athlone in November of last year, Incha & Associates - a leading planning, architectural and engineering consultancy company - has established itself as a major player in the local business community. Led by company director and local man Padraig Connell, and Senior Civil/Structural Engineer Robert Parker, from near Ballinasloe, Incha & Associates Ltd., is a civil, structural engineering and architectural design company that offers a wealth of experience on design, planning and civil/structural engineering for both small and large-scale developments.. Originally based in Ballymahon, Co Longford, and formed in 2003, Incha & Associates specialise in the design of one-off house, and understands the difficulties that clients may have in achieving their dream home. As Padraig Connell said: "We understand that a mortgage will probably be the biggest financial commitment undertaken by a client, and we approach each design with the highest standard of professionalism. "Many clients approach us with little or no experience of having a project carried out like this before. At the outset, we meet with, typically at the site or in our office in Garden Vale, and discuss the outline requirements of any given project. After a short period, we then table the initial sketch designs and draft budget estimates. These documents are not simply posted out, but are discussed with the client in our office, so that the design concept/plan and alternative options can be explained." Padraig is a senior draughtsman with over twelve years experience in planning and design. He has worked on a number of small to large-scale developments and specialises in one-off house design, and has worked in both architectural and engineering offices during his career. "I originally opened the company under the name of PC Draughting and Design, and have overseen the development of the practice from offering clients just advice on planning and design to the numerous services it offers clients today," said Padraig. "We also offer the complete package for one-off housing from design stage through planning, working on drawings, and building regulation details are prepared, too, as well as a detailed specification, and on-site inspection of works for mortgage purposes/stage payments, and certification in compliance with planning and building regulations," he added. Working closely beside Padraig is Robert Parker (BE MIEI), a Senior Civil/Structural Engineer, who has a project/design consultancy background, and has been working in the engineering profession for the past seven years. His design and management skills have been part of successful teams in delivering major building and infrastructural projects across Ireland and abroad, with emphasis placed upon delivering functional facilities that add value and comfort to the clients' everyday living. With his continual practice of structural engineering, Robert has been involved in high-rise commercial developments, institutional and residential buildings over the years. He has been responsible for concept design, planning and the direction of the design of many building projects. Robert is a member of Engineers Ireland and is actively taking part in continued professional development in the engineering sector and construction industry. Robert is also currently seeking to achieve chartership status with the Institute of Engineers of Ireland in order to deliver an even higher standard for all the company's projects, and he deals with all on-site involvement from start to finish. Tubberclair native Connell said: "Moving our office to Athlone was a great move, and instantly brought us closer to the vast majority of our clients. Our premises in Garden Vale is surrounded by legal offices, which is ideal because a lot of our work at present involves legal work, scheme maps, and accident reports. We are very busy at the moment and I suppose 70 per cent of our work at present is based on planning applications for new houses and extensions. We are also doing a lot of on-site construction inspection for mortgage purposes." Incha & Associates are also listed by Westmeath County Council to carry out approved on-site water assessments, and are also currently doing a lot of BER (Building Energy Rating) assessments. Included in Incha & Associate's impressive portfolio of work to date is the planning and design of a 10,000sq. ft unit for Midland Body Builders, Longford, a restaurant/kitchen extension to Longford./Westmeath Farmers' Mart in Ballymahon, and the renovations and extensions to an office premise on Main Street, Moate. They have also carried out a successful 6,000sq. ft extension to an existing warehouse in Blyry, Athlone. Padraig, who maintains strong links with his native Tubberclair through sponsorship of the village's senior Gaelic football team, said: "Like any business nowadays, you have to cut your cloth to measure, but we are very happy with how things are going in Athlone. I think things are becoming a lot more positive in recent months and can see it improving further in the near future." To contact Padraig Connell or Robert Parker at Incha & Associates, you can phone 090 6477881 or visit the website at www.inchaltd.com.