In 1935 our grandfather Francis John Charleton Senior started the family building firm of F.J. Charleton. His father James was a master bricklayer and stonemason, and Frank followed his father into the building industry.
Having worked as foreman bricklayer at the construction of the Silent Valley reservoir, Frank set up our business in the Co.Down village of Ballymartin, where we are still based today. With a reputation for first class workmanship and honesty in business, the foundations for success were laid, principles that have supported and shaped our firm for four generations.
In 1963 our father F.J. Charleton Junior took over the family business on the retirement of his Father. Frank Junior invested in modern machinery and with an increased workforce he expanded the business and the firm’s reputation based on his father’s founding principles.
Retiring in 1988, Frank Junior handed the leadership of the firm over to two of his sons, David and Alan. Employing first class local tradesmen the firm has gone from strength to strength and gained national recognition.
Now covering all categories of building work our ethos remains the same as that laid down by our forefathers. David’s sons Adrian and William are the fourth generation to carry on the family tradition and now share in the running of the business.
A recant new build has has won the RIBA Northern Ireland Award 2015.
"The quality of construction is very high, exemplary and demanding detailing executed with evident local skill and obvious pride (who said craft was dead): a credit to architect, client and builder"
RIBA, Northern Ireland
Being chosen as ‘UK Master Builders of the Year’ by the Federation of Master Builders for a new home we built in Newcastle, Co. Down has been our proudest moment to date.
To be selected as Master Builder from over 500 entries across the UK has been a great honour and one we would hope our grandfather would be pleased with if he were alive today.
Nothing was too difficult or too much trouble for David and his team, they were the hardest working men I could hope for.
They were on site and working at 7.30am every day and cleaned up every night. Relations on site were always amicable because they knew what they had to do and just got on with it. There was never any query or fuss.
David’s total honesty, attention to detail, professionalism and modesty set him apart. Bounding with energy, David seemed to be able to put 23½ hours into every day, had a wonderful ability to recruit really good people and delegated so that it all progressed with the minimum of fuss. He is my hero – he certainly deserves to be Master Builder of the Year.
David Scott - Newcastle, Co. Down, N. Ireland
Carnacally House was built by F.J. Charleton around 2000, the attention to detail and quality of build are a continuing source of satisfaction and peace of mind.
When the conversion of an old Farriers Workshop into guest accommodation was instigated in 2012, F.J. Charleton were a natural choice.
We would highly recommend F.J. Charleton to anyone wanting a top quality building project at a competitive price, managed and actioned by a team of professionals that are a pleasure to work with.
Hugh and Tish Dunn - Crossgar, Co. Down, N. Ireland
Aware of the their very high reputation for quality workmanship Castlewellan Presbyterian Church employed F.J. Charleton Building Contractors to carry out the complete refurbishment of our meeting house in Castlewellan. David Charleton and his team of skilled tradesmen proved that this reputation is justified. David approached the project with an infectious enthusiasm, using his considerable knowledge and experience to guide us through the many challenges encountered.
Nothing was too much trouble for David and his team, with quality and customer satisfaction being the focus of all their efforts. David’s openness and honesty throughout the contract ensured an excellent contractor - client relationship, and we are indebted to David and his team for the neat efficient manner they carried out this work, the friendly atmosphere on site and the excellent finished product, a true testimony to the skill and workmanship of F.J. Charleton Building Contractors.
Trevor Irvine - Hon Treasurer, Castlewellan Presbyterian Church