Company History.
PJ Harte, Quality Without Compromise, Since 1974
Established in 1974 Harte was founded from the basic principle of providing a high standard and personal service to our clients. Despite the extensive growth over the past 5 decades, this culture remains ingrained within our business today.
Each and every project is individually tailored to meet our clients’ needs, our flexible and dynamic approach to any challenges incurred during any project undertaken remains unchanged to this day.
1974 –
Patrick Joseph Harte founded P J Harte and commenced his first project for the value of £3,240.00, working on site with his small team of decorators. Patrick successfully completed his first project with great success and exceeding all expectations.
1976 – 1980
Patrick Harte’s first breakthrough was becoming an approved contractor for the London Borough of Croydon Council (LBCC), for painting, decorating and associated works. Due to management demands, Patrick left site work and formed a home office in Bexley.
1981 – 1985
Due to Patrick’s success at LBCC, his workforce grew from six site staff to 30, including Victor Torok who remains working with us to this day and Ernest Torok, who also stayed with us until he sadly passed in January 2019. Patrick moved from his home office to a rented facility in Chislehurst.
Ernest worked with Harte since the early 1980’s and remained with us until he sadly passed away in 2019.
Ernie’s duration with the business made him very much a part of the family, His dedication, passion, and loyalty towards the company will never be forgotten.
Ernest is sadly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him and work with him
1990 – 1994
1990 - P J Harte moved to a new office facility in Chislehurst High Street, which Patrick Harte bought at an auction.
1993 - After successfully completing a diploma in construction management, Gerald joined PJ Harte full time, working in various site-based roles.
1995 – 1999
1995 - Patrick’s second eldest son, Damian joins P J Harte as a CITB apprentice decorator, sprayer, and site manager.
1996 - Gerald started working in the office, initially assisting PJ with the management of projects, and quickly moving on to managing his own projects and forming relationships with new clients
1997 - After completing a business management course and spending some time in Thailand, Patrick Buchanan joined PJH full time, initially working as a painter and decorator and quickly
1999 - After working for various other decorating companies, Danny Allen joined PJH, working as part of Gerald’s team as a painter and decorator, and site foreman.
2000 – 2004
2000 – To meet the requirements of the company’s rapid growth, PJH moved into their current offices in Hither Green, London, SE13. After moving into the new premises, Damian and Patrick Buchanan crossed over to office-based contract management roles, and working closely with PJ and Gerald, helped expand the capabilities of the company from decorating and associated repairs to all aspects of building refurbishment and restoration works.
2004 - Danny Allen was promoted to site manager.
2005 – 2009
Patrick Harte, Gerald, Damian, and Patrick Buchanan vastly expand the business’ capability, concentrating resources into London-based Landlords and Property Management Companies, quickly becoming acknowledged by many of London’s most prestigious estates. By applying the basic principles formed by Patrick Harte in 1974. Harte continued to grow from strength to strength and has proudly retained virtually all of our procured clients and suppliers since 2000 and continues to hold strong and trusting relationships.
2010 – 2014
2010 – After completing a degree in construction management and working for various other specialist construction companies, Matt Leggett joined P J Harte Ltd in the capacity of senior site manager.
2012 – Danny Allen was promoted to contract manager.
Since the company’s inception, in 1974, operating as a micro business working on small and local projects, Harte reputation has grown along with its reputation for high quality workmanship; now working on London’s most prestigious buildings, including Leadenhall market, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Fife House (Brighton) and Tower Bridge, as well as various properties in Eaton square, Onslow square, Hyde Park Estates and Kensington Palace Gardens. Additionally, PJ Harte has undertaken projects on behalf of various local authorities, housing associations and public service authorities such as The London Fire Brigade, NHS and Affinity Sutton.
Although decorating lies at the heart of our business, over the past 5 decades we have consistently adapted to our client’s needs, vastly increasing the services performed. This evolution has led to us becoming one of London’s most trusted principle contractors, with a reputation for completing projects to the highest standard, on time and on budget.
