About Us
Established in 1981
Starting with the guiding principles of “Building TRUST and ADDING VALUE to Everything We Do”, Trident Construction Group LLC is a family of companies dedicated to providing superior client experiences in planning, designing, and constructing exceptional projects. Our companies include Trident Construction Group LLC, Trident Construction LLC, Trident Construction Services LLC, and Trident Construction Resource Management LLC.
Today, we provide a variety of construction services, from small tenant upfits to complex fast-track design/build facilities. The success of meeting our clients’ needs and expectations has led to our 95% repeat client business, reinforcing the success of our TEAM BUILD approach.
To provide our clients with an exceptional experience, Trident Construction is proud to offer our TEAM BUILD services. Included in this collaborative approach is programming, project scheduling, permitting strategies, design assistance, cost control, construction management, equipment installation, building commissioning and operations and maintenance services.
By Challenging the status quo, Trident Construction encourages every team member to bring solutions that add value to the project during the design process. We call these ideas SMART CHOICES. Our goal is to maximize building performance while achieving our client’s goals.
We understand that redesign costs time and money. Through continual confirmation, Trident Construction’s ONE WAY design process ensures that the budget, quality, and schedule meets client expectations before advancing the design to the next level.
As a result of our hard work and TEAM BUILD collaborative approach, Trident Construction enjoys a 95% repeat client business.
Tools for Success
Accountability
Autodesk® is our primary project management software. Through controlled access, Autodesk® allows us to instantaneously communicate with our clients and every member of the team, providing the most current information, meeting minutes, requests for information and project documents.
Design & Engineering Controls
By employing Building Information Modeling (BIM), Revit® and Matterport®, we are able to provide the team with real time 3D images of the existing and future spaces, assuring expectations can be achieved and efficiently designed. Using On-Screen Takeoff®, we are able to quantify the design materials, options and budget impact.
Cost Allocation
By utilizing VIEWPOINT® for our project accounting software, we are able to create an unlimited number of construction cost codes for budget allocation to meet our client’s unique requirements.
Schedule Controls
Trident Construction uses Primavera® and Microsoft Project® to establish the project schedule at the earliest opportunity. To assure collaboration, our schedules include design team milestones, budget updates, governmental approvals and complete construction activities. These elements form our ONE WAY design philosophy, assuring the project budget and schedule are approved by the client before the project progresses.
Strong Finish
A successful finish starts before construction begins. Using Autodesk Build® and our Zero Punch procedures, our onsite team and subcontractors review drawings and specifications in real time. Our team regularly inspects progress, takes pictures, and works with our subcontractors to approve and protect completed work. The subcontractor is released from the job only when our superintendent approves their work. Autodesk Build® provides exceptional project record keeping.
Project Closeout
A project isn’t complete until every detail of project accounting is finalized. Our clients leave with a full understanding of their building systems, supported by comprehensive electronic as-built drawings. Through our TridentScan process, all closeout information is organized and easily accessible for future reference.
“This is by far the smoothest project that I’ve worked on”
Adam MacConnell, The City of North Charleston
“They have really been on the front lines for us and we really consider them to be part of our family.”
“There is not one part of this building that I am not pleased with.”
“Trident has done a marvelous job from the groundbreaking, to where we are right now. It’s just been unbelievable.”
History
From Humble Beginnings to Regional Excellence: Our Journey
1980s
On February 12, 1981, Robbie Fairey founded Trident Construction Company, Inc., marking the beginning of our journey. That same year, we were awarded our first project—the Seabrook Island Clubhouse—setting the foundation for decades of trusted work. John David Griffith soon joined as co-founder, further strengthening the company’s leadership. During this formative decade, we earned our first General Contractor of the Year Award from the American Subcontractors Association’s Charleston Chapter. We closed the 1980s with another pivotal moment as our current President, Tim Kennedy, joined the team to begin his career with Trident.
1990s
The 1990s marked a foundational decade for Trident Construction, defined by the establishment of long-standing partnerships with local design teams and subcontractors. During this time, we developed our signature TEAM BUILD approach, a process that has guided our work for decades. This method laid the groundwork for operational excellence and continues to empower our clients with a clear, collaborative path to bringing their design visions to life.
2000s
The turn of the century ushered in an exciting new chapter for the Trident Construction team. In the early 2000s, Todd Bulwinkle and Chappy McKay began their journeys as company leaders, helping to shape the future of our organization. This period also saw the establishment of many long-standing client relationships that continue to define our work today. In 2003, we were honored to once again be named General Contractor of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association of the Carolinas. We closed the decade with another significant achievement, receiving the Excellence in School Building Design Award for our work at Daniel Island Academy.
2010s
The 2010s marked a decade of significant growth and strategic expansion for our project portfolio. During this time, we revitalized the historic Cigar Factory in downtown Charleston, now recognized as a National Historic Landmark. We also celebrated our 35th anniversary, a milestone that honored our rich history while fueling continued momentum. This era welcomed several members of our current leadership team, strengthening our expertise and shaping a clear vision for the future.
2020s
Today, we proudly reflect on the completion of many signature Charleston projects, several of which have received industry recognition, including 22 WestEdge, 71 Wentworth, St. Clare of Assisi Church, and The Dunlin at Kiawah River, among others. With more than 45 years of experience behind us, we look ahead with confidence and optimism. Our team continues to grow, our portfolio continues to expand, and our culture remains strong. As we look to the next 45 years in the Charleston region, we remain committed to Building TRUST and ADDING VALUE to Everything We Do.