The type of projects J. Francis Company began with were focused on woodworking and carpentry such as refinishing oak tables, building and installing custom cabinetry and crown molding.  Word of mouth spread J. Francis Company’s name across Carnegie Mellon University’s campus. Calls came in from different buildings and departments for repairs, renovations and custom woodworking.  Two years later with substantial customer base for millwork, custom fabrication and renovation work, J. Francis Company began offering a full line of general contracting services.

Currently, the J. Francis Company’s customer base ranges from commercial and institutional to select residential projects while specializing in colleges and universities. J. Francis Company found a comfortable niche in the marketplace as a “small” general contractor doing jobs ranging from $0-$500,000.

J. Francis Company owner John McCloskey recognizes that meeting customer priorities, especially those with critical deadlines is an essential component to his success as a general contractor. “I was amazed at how happy my customers were when we met important deadlines and in some cases had the projects completed ahead of time.”

In the winter of 2000, J. Francis Company purchased a 22,000-sq. ft., 100-year-old soap factory building on the North Side of Pittsburgh.  With the help of AIA award winning architects Loysen and Associates, the second floor of the building was renovated using adaptive reuse for the office section.  The first floor was turned into a woodshop area, enabling J. Francis Company to have a fully equipped millwork facility.  The company parking lot accommodates J. Francis Company’s fleet of work trucks, dump truck and Bobcat.

What differentiates J. Francis Company from other general contracting companies?  Owner John McCloskey described the standards that he expects from J. Francis Company employees from the lead carpenters to the laborers.  “Our team members project a clean and professional image. J. Francis Company has a strict dress code and policies against spitting, foul language and loud radios. Our customers appreciate this and this lends itself to building long term relationships,” explained John.  "Secondly, our relationships with our employees and sub-contractors span over ten years.  We know what to expect from each other in order to complete a high quality professional job."