Ballyblack Contracts

14/06/2026

Another project completed and another transformation delivered.

This one was actually finished last month, but between work, family life and everything else, social media has taken a bit of a back seat recently!

What started as a straightforward decking replacement soon evolved into a much larger project. The existing decking had been poorly installed, which unfortunately had a significant impact on its lifespan and overall condition.

As the project progressed, the scope of works grew to include a new composite deck built over a septic tank complete with a discreet access hatch for maintenance, repairs to the existing fencing, and the construction of a garden room that changed shape and purpose more than once throughout the build process.

As always, the photographs tell the story far better than words ever could. The end result is an outdoor space that is both practical and attractive, and most importantly, two extremely happy clients.

A huge thank you to Debbie and Derek for their hospitality throughout the project – the endless cups of tea and warm welcome every day certainly didn't go unnoticed.

Just about all the contacts were used for this job, starting with the obvious Peninsula construction. Ross was brought in to lend his expertise and help with the burden of extra work that came along on this project, not letting the side down as per. Morton Grab Hire took the waste away and delivered some stones on site. Macblair and JP Corry delivered the building materials required for various jobs. Not forgetting Scrabo Paving & Landscape Centre who delivered 1 or 2 pallets of Egyptian sinai paving to create the patio and complete the job!!

If you're considering upgrading your outdoor space and would like some advice on what's possible, feel free to get in touch.

We're currently booking several months in advance, so if you're considering a project for later this year, it's never too early to start the conversation.

Adam McKee
Ballyblack Contracts
📞 07447 070936

14/05/2026

I normally keep my personal stuff away from my business page, however this is for a very very good cause. The reason my life is completey carnage at the minute, the reason why it is taking me a bit longer in getting quotes sent out to potential clients and the reason why organising site visits are taking slightly longer than normal.

Below is a link where donations can be made, no matter how big or small everyone wil be appreciated. Without Ronald McDonald House Ireland Kelly and I could not have got through the 97 nights in Dublin that Harry had to go through. It provided a sanctuary for us a family, and continues to do so for many many more.

So, please if you can send a donation over. 2 half marathons have been signed up for this year and maybe more to come who knows!

Thanks you
Adam

https://www.givengain.com/project/adam-raising-funds-for-ronald-mcdonald-house-charity-124601?fbclid=IwdGRjcARxwgdjbGNrBHHCA2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHt3XpJ3wr8EcJ2HwCFBwh8IXhOBTx6KZ4FYh0paHTg3ImjjAvHaJX6iVrH1R_aem_uRR6HcFact4a4bSqDE37Jg

GivenGain enables non-profits to boost their fundraising income with tools that empower their supporters to fundraise on their behalf.

30/04/2026

A brief update

It’s been a little quiet on here recently as we’ve been settling into life with Harry at home, while continuing to deliver projects to the standard our clients expect.

Here’s a recently completed installation at a new-build property, featuring Egyptian Sinai limestone paving (900x600mm). A raised patio to the rear steps down seamlessly onto a sett-lined pathway, wrapping around the property to the front entrance.

Paired with red cedar detailing at the porch, the overall finish is both clean and timeless — a great example of how the right materials, when installed properly, can completely elevate an outdoor space.

If you’re considering investing in your garden, we’re always happy to offer guidance.
Please note, we are typically booked 3–4 months in advance, and site visits may take a few weeks to arrange.

Adam
Ballyblack Contracts
📞 07447 070936

23/04/2026

10/03/2026

Quick video of the latest patio laid, a touch of grouting to do in a week or 2 once the bed has fully cured!

Any projects/jobs you have please get in touch.

Thanks
Adam
07447 070936

23/01/2026

The weather finally played its part, allowing us to grout our first patio of 2026 — and the finish really speaks for itself.

Out with the old, rotten decking and in with tumbled yellow limestone, finished with Saigon Black kerbs, creating a clean patio built to last, complete with new access steps. The end result? Two very happy clients.

Shout out to Scrabo Paving & Landscape Centre for supplying the materials required.

Plenty more to come — 2026 is already shaping up to be a busy one.

Adam
📞 07447 070936

13/12/2025

A post of a different kind from myself — a post of thanks and appreciation. I will start at the beginning of what has been the most stressful time of my and Kelly’s lives so far.

Just over seven weeks ago, little Harry Jack entered the world. The first ten days of Harry’s life were spent between the Ulster Hospital, RVH, and Children’s Health Ireland in Dublin, as it became apparent he had a couple of heart issues and one with his windpipe.

However, being a McKee, he fought on and was discharged home to grow big and strong, ready for the operation that lay ahead of him. A setback landed him in ICU two weeks ago for six days. Thankfully, he is now out of ICU and once again on the road to recovery, back on the ward in Dublin. The plan now is for him to stay in Dublin until his open-heart surgery and windpipe corrective surgery in January, after which his recovery will begin.

So, what am I thanking people for?

First of all, to the clients I had booked in to begin jobs this side of Christmas — thank you for your patience with the delays caused by all of this madness, and for understanding that the completion of the jobs will take longer, as I wasn’t always able to be on site. I’ve had to chop and change jobs accordingly and push some start dates back into 2026, with the next batch of jobs already booked in. Thank you sincerely for your understanding.

To those who have contacted me looking for quotes, thank you for giving me a bit of time to get things sorted this year before organising site visits for next year.

The biggest thank you must go to my team of workers. I don’t often praise you boys enough in posts, but the work and effort you’ve put in whilst I’ve been off site has not gone unnoticed by me or by the clients we’ve been working for. The later finishes, battling shocking weather and darker mornings and nights — cheers, lads. Without you, my business would not be a success. At the end of nearly every job, I’m complimented on what a great team of lads I have working for me. Over the last few weeks, you’ve really shown that — thank you.

Here’s to 2026, which for my family is going to start with more stress and a lot more weeks in Dublin. But Harry will not let us down. He is a fighter and will pull through his operations, ready to get home and begin a more normal life next year.

On a brighter note, here are some pictures of what the lads have been up to lately, plus one of Harry.

For anyone looking to have work quoted, the diary is fully booked until the end of April. I won’t be carrying out any site visits until mid-January, but please do get in touch if you wish, and I’ll get you noted in the diary to arrange a site visit at a later date.

Thanks,
Adam
Ballyblack Contracts
📞 07447 070936

19/10/2025

Friday saw us putting the final touches at this job in Newtownards. A mixture of jobs were carried out for these clients.

- new brick paving driveway installed using tobermore sienna mid grey and silvers pavers. With Mediterranean silver granite kerbs for new steps.
- new porcelain patio laid using 900x600mm dolomite tiles with Mediterranean silver granite kerbs
- French drains installed and linked to a soak away to aid with drainage in the garden
- a new boundary fence using eased edge boards around the perimeter of the garden
- a new over lap fence and gate erected at the end of the driveway giving more privacy for the newly installed patio again using eased edge boards
- a new fence erected around the oil tank to hide it from plain sight with a gate for access
- 2 outdoor sockets installed on either side of the new extension plus a cable installed to allow the customer to upgrade to an electric car in the future with having to cause any damage to all the work carried out John Hammy Hamilton never let's us down

All in all this was a full transformation of the property, with the final outcome boosting kerb appeal.

Shout out to all the suppliers for this job,
Morton Grab Hire Scrabo Paving & Landscape Centre Macblair Joshua Paul - Tobermore Murdocks Newtownards Woodstoc

And finally a massive thanks to our clients, thanks for using Ballyblack Contracts and enjoy your new garden.

Stay up to date with the page as the next jobs coming up are not on the small side either.

Adam
Ballyblack Contracts
07447 070936

03/10/2025

Sneak peak of the latest project underway, winter season has kicked off! We fight on day by day though, water proofs are definitely being put through their paces the last couple of weeks. Check back for the finished outcome, bookings for 2026 are from February onwards.

Thanks
Adam
07447 070936

26/08/2025

Repost of pictures instead of a video, as Facebook removed my previous post due to music copyright flip sake.

Here's some pictures showing the changes at this job in Crawfordsburn. We've returned 5 times now to bring the vision of our client to life. I love returning to this job to see how it all has came together, everything looks like it was always meant to be there. The planting carried out by the client really adds the finishing touches!!

Shout out to Peninsula construction, Architectural Salvage NI, Scrabo Paving & Landscape Centre, U Hire NI, Morton Grab Hire, Macblair , Landscape Supplies, Carryduff Building Supplies Ltd and I've probably forgotten a few along over the last 3 years too.

Bring on stage 6, it will happen at some point....

Thanks
Adam
07447 070936