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May 1990
Building on basics
and precision work energizes O'Rourke
BY REGINA MARCAZZO
Michael O'Rourke of O'Rourke Construction in Westhampton Beach attributes his building success
to more than just his many years of experience in the trade.
The 39-year-old area native attributes his success to a variety of factors, including his
ability to communicate well with his clients; his great attention to organization and detail; his experienced employees
and subcontractors; as well as his competitive nature. These are all key ingredients of staying ahead in a competitive
marketplace, O'Rourke insists.
"You have to be versed and you have to be multi-talented," says O'Rourke, who
has vast experience in the construction of one-of-a kind homes with styles ranging from traditional, to contemporary,
to post modern, and whose renovation work includes the refurbishment of an 18th-century dwelling.
O'Rourke was taught the basics of renovation when , as a child, ha and his siblings were
the workforce involved in remodeling homes that his mother bought and sold. "She used to buy homes, and we
would renovate term," O'Rourke remembers, adding. "If you can renovate, you can build new homes."
The builder is currently in the process of renovating an 1890 Dutch Gambrel barn for himself
in Westhampton Beach. "I've been looking at this for a long time," O'Rourke explains "We've going
to utilize a lot of things I've been collecting over the years.."
The family kitchen will replace the existing three box stalls. Four bedrooms and two baths
will be constructed upstairs, and the old kitchen will be converted into offices for O'Rourke Construction.
O'Rourke continued his efforts in construction when, as a Westhampton Beach High School
student, he worked as a carpenter and later as a college student at Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. There
he received a bachelor's degree in business administration. He also considers his experience as an all-American
in football to be crucial. "It's a competitive sport," he states, "and I'm a competitive person."
It was in Colorado where he gained experience working in heavy construction with projects
like condominium complexes, parking lots, and garages. He remained on the West for about eight years, returning
to New York in 1982 when the area was hit by a recession. Until 1984, when he started his own business, O'Rourke
worked for other builders. "like everyone else," he explains, "you come up from the bottom."
The company is currently involved in about eight projects per year, with gross annual earnings
of approximately $2 million, "Right now it's what the market can bear," he says, noting that it's feasible
for O'Rourke Construction to see gross annual earnings of up to $3 million. "You have to be able to give your
all," O'Rourke explains. "I'm working for a very discriminating and select clientele that expects me
to be there. I'm here for the long term. Overall I'm very happy; I want to continue doing what I'm doing."
Most of O'Rourke work is centered in the area between Remsenburg and Water Mill. Projects
range in cost from $150,000 to $1 million or more, with the average price tag coming in at between $350,000 and
$450,000. As one time O'Rourke had considered breaking into the lucrative North Shore construction and renovation
market, but he opted against it for geographic reasons. "I feel that you really need to be close," he
says.
O'Rourke normally works on four or five projects at any given time. About 60 percent of
his work represents new construction projects, with the balance devoted to renovation work. While he enjoys both,
he confesses that he prefers new construction. "It's a clean plate to start," he says. With renovation,
he points out "you're working with a canvas that's already been painted; you don't know what's behind that
wall."
About 50 percent of his work is obtained through bidding while the remainder comes via word
of mouth from satisfied customers. "It's referrals that really bring in the business. You're in the neighborhood,"
he points out, noting that he once worked in a three-block area in Quogue for nearly three years. "The biggest
thing is (that) they go and see the projects we build," he says of prospective clients. Appearing in publications
like HOUSE magazine and HG has also helped O'Rourke's
business.
Eight full-time employees work year-round for O'Rourke Construction. Both his employees
and his subcontractors have a long track record with O'Rourke and 15 to 20 years years of experience. "You've
got to be able to compensate them properly," he says. "I'm not bidding the job out to the lowest bidder
every time." He's is currently a member of the village's zoning board of appeals.
Although he's had experience with construction since his youth, O'Rourke believes that you
can never know enough. "You've got to be on top of the business because it's always changing," he states.
In order to do that he spends time going to building and remodeling shows to acquire new techniques.
Winning a bid to build the home of New York City-based architect also proved his success
as a builder. His favorite project was the construction of a traditional home on Quiogue which columns, and classic
interior moldings. The home is features in the July/August issue of HOUSE magazine.
While O'Rourke building expertise ranges from the traditional to the ultra modern, his preferences
lie in traditional homes, with Dutch Gambrel as his favorite style. "I like that detail," he explains.
"I like that richness."
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