First Chamber Business After Hours of 2025

A peak inside the inner workings of Carroll Estimating

Carroll Estimating, founded by Paddy and Niamh Carroll, played host to the first Chamber Business After Hours of the year.

The idea behind Business After Hour events is to give visiting businesses a chance to see the inner workings of the host business – what they do well, how they do it and what makes them different.  It offers insight and inspiration – enabling people to get ideas that they can apply to their own businesses.  And of course, being a Chamber event there is a chance to network with like-minded businesses.

‘It was great to get a real insight into what Paddy, Niamh and their team are doing in Carroll Estimating.  Their passion, drive and clarity of purpose is impressive.  I was particularly interested to hear how they approach customer service, productivity and efficiency, and how they support and develop their team.’ Says Michael Quinn, President of County Carlow Chamber.

Paddy Carroll gave a presentation on the overall business – explaining how Carroll Estimating was founded and has developed.  He spoke about their ethos and passion for ensuring that when they work with clients – typically contractors and sub-contractors in the building trade – that they save them money, time and stress.  ‘Tendering and pricing is a complex area – and not always easy to navigate.  Our aim is to ensure that when we work for a client that we leave no money on the table. In other words that every job is precisely and accurately priced and tracked to ensure that our customers get paid in full and on time for the work they deliver.’ Explains Paddy Carroll.

Carroll Estimating have delivered projects large and small, in all areas of the building trade – from residential and industrial through to civil engineering and conservation – across Ireland, the UK and abroad.  They are firm believers in harnessing technology to allow them to do their jobs faster and more accurately – and pride themselves on their ability to identify the right digital tools to help them provide excellent service.

Visitors also got a tour of their stunning new premises, Bagenal Court on the Athy Road. The interior was designed by local designer Emma Butler of White Meadows, and they used all local Carlow tradespeople and suppliers. ‘We are very proud of being from, and based in, Carlow – and we go to great lengths to work with Carlow businesses whenever possible.’ Explains Paddy.  ‘Emma achieved the ideal look for our needs – it begins with a warm and inviting tea / coffee area as you enter the building – to make sure everyone feels welcome.  Visitors particularly love our living moss wall piece!’

Over the past number of years Paddy has harnessed the power of digital marketing to increase his profile and secure clients.  LinkedIn has been particularly central to his strategy and he has found that through engaging and informative videos he is growing his following substantially.  It was this understanding of the value and impact of digital marketing that inspired the concept of Ampifi – his latest business venture.

Ampifi empowers businesses and individuals by helping them share their message, grow their brand, educate and connect with their audience, their customers and their employees in a powerful way.  It is a full-service podcast studio – for both audio and video  – which podcasters, influencers and businesses can rent to record on-demand.  Ampifi offers a variety of options from the basic renting of the recording space, through to full-service sound, editing, tech support, post-production and marketing.  It is exciting to see this professional service offered here in Carlow – and it is already in high demand.

‘The concept behind the Chamber Business After Hours is to provide a glimpse into the real workings of the host business.  These intimate and engaging events will provide different experiences in each host business.  Paddy and his team gave us exceptional access and insight.  It was inspiring  – and many of us who attended on the evening left with our heads bursting with ideas.  Huge thanks to Carroll Estimating for opening their doors to us and letting us understand what they do best.’ Said Nicola Doran, CEO of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on this events host visit www.carrollestimating.ie  For more information on upcoming Chamber events visit www.carlowchamber.com

Caption: Pictured at the Chamber Business After Hours in Carroll Estimating are some of the Chamber members who attended on the evening from left to right: James Fenlon (show case media), Pat Amond (Carlow Toolmaking Services), Tom Snoddy (Carroll Estimating) Nicola Doran (County Carlow Chamber), Michael Quinn (President, County Carlow Chamber) Paddy & Niamh Carroll (Carroll Estimating), Norah Ryan (Barrow Consultancy & Training), Ciara Stanley (Coppenagh House Farm / Ballybar Ireland), Rowena Dooley (Dooley Motors) and Trevor Gillespie (Delta Centre).

Caption: Pictured at the Chamber Business After Hours in Carroll Estimating are from left to right Paddy Carroll, founder of Carroll Estimating & Ampifi, and Michael Quinn, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce

Caption: Pictured testing out the Ampifi recording suite at the Chamber Business After Hours in Carroll Estimating is Michael Quinn, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce