Darby Construction Services, established in 2018, is a full-service general contractor based in New York City. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including estimating, pre-construction planning, scheduling, change management, cost control, subcontractor pre-qualification, and quality control. Darby Constructions is led by principals Donal Sutton and Paul Stanton —both of whom were born and educated in Ireland and earned their bachelor’s degrees in construction-related fields. The company’s expertise spans various sectors, such as hospitality, residential, retail, technology, financial, healthcare, educational, and commercial office spaces. Forging new relationships with some of the larger landlords in the city continues to be a key point of focus for the company, as it looks to grow its market reach.
Darby Construction Services distinguishes itself from other construction businesses in the tri-state area through its meticulous approach to estimating and pre-construction planning. “Honesty, integrity and transparency are our core principles,” Stanton said. “In New York, there is so much hustle all the time, and it’s really important to present a clear picture to our client and eliminate the background noise. You’re dealing with very intelligent people, and we find that when we take the time to explain our logic to our clients when it comes to cost and schedule, it really helps the overall process. We’ve found that true collaboration is key in the kind of work that we do.”
“Honesty, integrity and transparency are our core principles.”
The company emphasizes the importance of early involvement in projects to ensure effective budgeting, scheduling, and procurement. Its commitment to quality is evident in its custom quality control systems tailored to meet specific project and client demands. Darby Construction Services also places a strong emphasis on insurance to protect both clients and the company. It carefully prequalifies all subcontractors, ensuring that each meets the specific insurance requirements of clients, property managers, and buildings. Recognizing that insurance policies can vary and change, Darby stays updated on these variations to prevent clients from unnecessary exposure to claims.
Additionally, Darby Construction Services maintains strong relationships with subcontractors, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Having been educated and worked construction jobs back home in Ireland, both Stanton and Sutton are at an advantage when it comes to project management in New York City. Stanton holds a B.E. in Civil Engineering, from the University of Galway, Ireland, and is a certified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He also has over 15 years of experience in the New York City construction market. Sutton completed an honors degree in quantity surveying from Munster Technological University in Cork, Ireland, a certification which instilled the importance of producing a bill of quantities which correlates directly to cost. “It’s a very important model, because you should be able to show logic to your cost. But in New York City, supply and demand also plays a huge factor; something that may be $100,000 today could be $150,000 the next month due to availability of labor and material,” Stanton explained. “Key differences between Europe and North America lie in the pace of scheduling availability of materials, so you always have to be conscious of both factors.”
Both Stanton and Sutton are very involved in all of the company’s projects. “You can ask me about any of the projects we have on our books, and I’d be able to tell you what the issues are, and where the potential bottlenecks might arise,” Stanton said. “Principal involvement is really important,” he added, noting that with larger companies, there tends to be a hierarchy of layers to project management, which can lead to delays and unhappy clients.
In a fast-paced city like New York, securing repeat business from clients is paramount to the success of Darby Construction. Currently, the company is actively overseeing roughly 15 projects, with the majority seeing a six-month completion rate and exceptionally high rates of client success. Abingdon Square Veterinary, located in the West Village, contracted Darby Construction in 2024 to build out a brand-new veterinary clinic. Working with ALA Studio, Stanton and his team helped to develop a budget and design to accommodate a highly-functional space that appealed to a high-net-worth clientele. “We ended up with a beautifully finished product, a very satisfied client and with an architect that we hope to do many more projects with,” Stanton said. WTHN, an acupuncture clinic with three locations in New York City, is another repeat client of Darby Construction. Recently, they hired the company to build out their latest opening on the Upper West Side. “We’re currently working on two additional projects with them, and we take great pride in the fact that our clients come back for repeat business” Stanton said.
Most recently, Darby Construction was hired to execute the roll out of a brand-new wellness concept in NYC. Othership, a Canadian-owned immersive sauna brand with two locations in Toronto, will be opening its second U.S. location in NYC’s Williamsburg neighborhood later this year. “We’ve done gyms and athletic clubs, but this is next level, and it’s very exciting,” Stanton said. “There aren’t any other contractors who can say they’ve done something like this before, because it’s a totally new concept,” he noted, referencing the many intricate components of the project, which will include sauna rooms, ice baths, social areas and more.
Despite a series of exciting new projects on the horizon, Stanton says maintaining its roster of existing clients is always top of mind for Darby Construction. “We’re not trying to be the biggest contractor in the city,” Stanton said. “I prefer that the reputation of the company precedes us, leading clients to come to us specifically because of our level of services. The goal is to be a sought-after contractor – one that clients turn to because they trust our expertise, precision, and commitment to delivering exceptional results.”
“We’re very careful to not overpromise,” Stanton continued. “Many in this industry talk a big game but fall short when it counts. We refuse to be that kind of company. Our reputation is built on delivering exactly what we say we will – on budget, on schedule and with the highest quality. That’s why our clients keep coming back. We’re not focused on size; we’re chasing excellence and true quality.”
