Our Story: Built on Experience – A Modern Approach to Craftsmanship
At J & J Mifsud Developments Ltd. , we pride ourselves on being a family-run business deeply rooted in tradition, while continuously embracing modern advancements in the construction industry. With over 80 years of expertise passed down through three generations, we remain committed to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer satisfaction.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
It all began with Giuzeppi Mifsud, who started offering stonemasonry services to local clients eight decades ago. For 40 years, his son Julian upheld and expanded this legacy, honing the skills and dedication that are still at the heart of our operations today.
Now, Julian’s sons, Josef and Jesmond Mifsud, both licensed stonemasons, have taken the reins. They’ve combined their inherited expertise with modern tools and machinery to enhance efficiency and precision while maintaining the meticulous attention to detail that defines our work. Whether constructing facades using traditional „fuq il-fil“ techniques or restoring historical buildings with „xorok“ ceilings, we uphold the time-honored methods that honor our craft’s rich history.
Tailored for Medium-Sized Projects
J & J Mifsud Developments Ltd. specializes in medium-sized projects, delivering results on time—or even ahead of schedule—thanks to the dedication and skill of Josef, Jesmond, and their highly trained team. Our commitment to quality is evident not only in our craftsmanship but also in our ability to adapt to project-specific needs, ensuring that every detail aligns with our clients‘ vision.
Committed to Excellence
We stay at the forefront of the construction industry by actively participating in professional development opportunities, including courses organized by the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC). This ensures we remain equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques, enabling us to deliver projects that meet modern standards while preserving traditional values.
Our approach extends beyond construction itself. Effective site management is a cornerstone of our operations. From maintaining clean and safe work environments to fostering positive relationships with neighboring property owners, we prioritize seamless execution and minimize disruptions.
Client-Centered Communication
At J & J Mifsud Developments Ltd., we believe that consistent and transparent communication is the foundation of successful projects. We work closely with our clients at every stage of the process to ensure the final product not only meets but exceeds expectations. By understanding and respecting each client’s unique requirements, we’re able to deliver tailored solutions that balance quality and affordability.
Our Promise
With a legacy built on skill, dedication, and customer-focused values, J&J Mifsud Constructions stands as a testament to the enduring art of stonemasonry, adapted for the modern age. Whether restoring historic structures or creating new, lasting works of beauty, Josef and Jesmond Mifsud continue to honor their family’s heritage while shaping the future of construction in Malta.
J & J Mifsud Developments Ltd.: Where tradition meets innovation, and quality is guaranteed.
Our Story
Memories
Peppi Mifsud, known as „il-Badott,“ was a renowned builder, not only among the residents of San Ġiljan but also in various towns and villages across Malta. For those who did not know Peppi personally, it is worth mentioning that he was a towering figure of his time, standing well over six feet tall. He was a kind-hearted man who helped anyone in need and, above all, was a great enthusiast of the San Ġiljan feast.
I personally knew Peppi well. My father also worked in the stone trade as a carpenter, but my most vivid memories of Peppi are from every procession held in our village. I never saw him carry the statue, and I can guess why—there was no one as tall as he was. However, I often saw him carrying the largest banner we had and struggling to keep it upright against strong winds.
Peppi’s skills as a builder were passed down to his son Ġiljan, who retired from work a few years ago. Ġiljan inherited his father’s dedication and expertise. After Ġiljan’s retirement, his sons Jesmond and Josef took over the business—two hardworking men who honor their grandfather Peppi and their father Ġiljan.
I met Jesmond, and he showed me the tools his grandfather Peppi used to work with sixty years ago. He showed me the hoist used to lift stones to each floor, the wooden beam worn by the sun and rain, the tools used to split the stone, the trowels for smoothing ceilings, hammers, and saws for intricate detailing, as well as molds and templates for sculptures. Among the tools were two saws: one for rough cuts and the other for finer, detailed work.
Jesmond also has a clamp, which was used to join two wooden planks together when extra length was needed.
The tool Jesmond is most proud of, however, is the cart used to transport stones. It is carefully preserved in his office, painted black, and mounted on wooden wheels, sitting prominently in front of his desk.
I mention this because of the stark contrast to its past use. This cart certainly never had a coat of paint or looked as clean as it does today. It surely never stood in an office, neatly and carefully preserved.
I don’t mean to say that today’s stoneworkers don’t work hard. But for those like me who had family members in this trade, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the grueling conditions they endured back then.
In the past, most carpenters were paid on an output basis—depending on how much they accomplished. On rainy days, they often walked home empty-handed. Stones didn’t come pre-cut and polished from the quarry as they do today. Large tools were used to split the stone, and then it was shaped to the required size. Each stone was lifted one by one to the upper floors using a hoist.
Thankfully, much of this work is now a thing of the past. Perhaps the fine saw still has some occasional use.
Jesmond, though still young, surely cannot imagine how much his grandfather Peppi’s tools—some of which are now a bit rusty—once accomplished, from constructing buildings to crafting beautiful ornamental work.
Leħen il-Kunsill Tiegħek, San Ġiljan, Issue No. 34, June 2010
L-Istorja Tagħna
Tifkiriet
Peppi Mifsud, il-Badott, kien bennej magħruf, mhux mal-Ġiljaniżi biss, imma anke f’diversi bliet u rħula f’Malta. Għal min ma jafx eżatt min hu Peppi, ta’ min jgħid li għal dak iż-żmien hu kien ta’ statura kbira, twil sew fuq is-sitt piedi, kien raġel twajjeb, jġhin lil kull min ikun fil-bżonn, u fuq kollox kien dilettant kbir tal-festa ta’ San Ġiljan.
Jien lil Peppi ilħaqtu sew. Missieri ukoll kien jaħdem fil-ġebel bħala naġġar, imma l-aktar li niftakar lil Peppi f’kull purċissjoni li kienet issir fir-raħal tagħna. Qatt ma rajtu jerfa’ il-vara u nista’ nobsor għaliex, peress li ma kienx hemm min hu twil daqsu. Imma li jżomm l-akbar standard li kellna, rajtu kemm-il darba, u anke jissielet mieghu sabiex izommu dritt meta jkun jonfoħ sew ir-riħ.
Is-sengħa ta’ bennej, wiritha ibnu Ġiljan, li ftit tas-snin ilu rtira mix-xogħol. Ġiljan ukoll hareg jixbaħ lill-missieru f’dik li hi kapacita’ fix-xogħol. Ma l-irtirar ta’ Giljan, ix-xoghol haduh uliedu Jesmond u Josef, zewgt itfal qalbiena li jagħmlu unur lin-nannu Peppi u lill missiehom Giljan.
Iltqajt ma’ Jesmond u wrieni l-għodda li biha n-nannu Peppi kien jaħdem mas-sittin sena ilu. Urieni l-grabja li biha kienu jtellgħu l-ġebel għal kull sular. L-invell tal-injam mikul bl-effetti tax-xemx u x-xita; l-ispnar, li kienu jifqgħu l-blat; marżappa fejn biha kienu jballtu s-soqfa; mannarett, serrieqa sabiex iddaħħal il-lenza, furmaturi u raxketti li kienu jintuzaw ghall-iskulturi; u żewgt imtieraq, waħda tad-daqqa, u l-oħra tal-inkulmar.
Għandu ukoll rażża, li użu tagħha kien biex jgħaqqad żewġ tavluni ma xulxin meta kien ikollu t-tul.
Imma l-akbar biċċa għodda li Jesmond hu kburi biha, tant li qegħda miżmuma b’għozza kbira fl-uffiċju tiegħu, huwa il-karru li fuqu kien jinġarr il-ġebel. Mizbugħ iswed, u mwaqqaf fuq injama bir-roti, huwa mpoggi ezatt quddien l-iskrivanija.
Semmejt daqxejn din id-deskrizzjoni għaliex jagħmel kuntrast kbir meta dan il-karru kien jintuża. Żgur li qatt ma kien raha dqxejn zebgħa fuqu. Ċert li qatt ma kien daħal f’xi uffiċju u miżmum nadif pupilla.
Ma rridx ngħid li il-ħaddiema tal-ġebel tal-lum ma jbagħtux. Imma min bħali kellu fil-familja min jaħdem f’dak il-mistier żgur li jħoss għafsa ta’ qalb għad-dbatija li kienu jaħdmu fiha dak iż-żmien.
Qabel xjen il-biċċa il-kbira tan-naġġara kienu jaħdmhu bl-imqieta – skont kemm tonġor, titħallas – f’ġurnata bil-maltemp kienu imorru lura lejn id-dar, il-biċċa l-kbira bil-mixi. Il-ġebla ma kenitx tiġi mil-barriera maqtugħa u mibruxa (minġura) bhal-lum. Mal-mannarett kienet tintuża wkoll l-imterqa l-kbira, fejn naħa waħda kienet tkun bil-kanal biex tiżmarra (tofroq) il-ġebla u wara tigi minġura u jagħmilha tal-qies li jkun hemm bżonn. Biex tittella’ għal fuq kull sular, kienet titla waħda waħda bill-grabja.
Għall-grazzja t’Alla, illum ħafna minn dan ix-xogħol spiċċa darba għal-dejjem. Forsi l-imterqa tal-inkulmar għad-għandha l-uzu tagħha.
Jesmond, għalkemm għadu zgħir fl-eta’, żgur ma jistax jimmaġina kemm l-għodda tan-nannu Peppi, li wħud minnha hija xi ftit imsadda, għamlet għeġubijiet, kemm ta’ bini u anke xogħol sabiħ ta’ lavur.
Leħen il-Kunsill Tiegħek, San Ġiljan, Ħarga nru. 34, Ġunju 2010