Main Responsibilities of a Senior Estimator at McCarthy Building Companies
As a Senior Estimator at McCarthy Building Companies, Trey's responsibilities vary depending on the project phase, encompassing "pursuits"—developing proposals including cost, insurance, and fees for billion-dollar projects—and ongoing cost management for design-build projects, where they work weekly with architects and engineers to ensure budgets are met, "a lot of Excel sheets, a lot of checking costs and a lot of working with trade partners."
Project Management, Data Analysis, Teamwork, Cost Estimation, Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Trey Novara
Senior Estimator
McCarthy Building Companies
Santa Clara University
Engineering - Civil
Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Senior Estimators work on projects in various phases, from initial pursuits (preparing cost proposals) to ongoing cost management during the construction process.
2. A significant part of the role involves collaborating with architects and engineers to ensure projects stay within budget, requiring frequent cost analysis and updates.
3. The work heavily relies on using spreadsheets (like Excel) to track costs, and involves close coordination with trade partners to obtain accurate budget information and achieve the project's goals while meeting the client's needs and maintaining profitability for the company
Transcript
What are your main responsibilities within your current role?
My current role is Senior Estimator. My responsibilities depend on the project's phase.
In the earlier phases, during pursuits, which take up about a quarter of my year, I work on proposals. These proposals often include the cost breakdown: direct costs for building the structure, insurance and bonding requirements, and our company's fee. It also covers the funds needed to manage and execute the projects.
Building billion-dollar projects requires a full team. We figure out how to staff these projects and manage their compensation after submitting pricing during pursuits. If successful, the project type and contract type determine our approach.
Many of our current projects are design-build. This means McCarthy directly employs the architect and engineers, rather than them working for the owner. This puts us in charge of managing them to ensure they meet their deliverables and makes us responsible for the cost.
For example, I spent seven months on a design-build project updating costs weekly. We ran new cost metrics for the design team to ensure we stayed within the owner's original budget. If an architect proposed a change, like switching to a concrete structure instead of steel, my team and I would assess the price impact and determine if it fit the budget or how to accommodate it.
We also work on construction design deliverables, including schematic design, design development, and construction drawings. Once we receive the full set of drawings, we create a comprehensive budget for the entire project to ensure all cost projections are accurate.
Our goal is to stay within budget throughout the project. We aim to build the client's desired project at a cost that works for both them and our company. This involves extensive use of Excel, meticulous cost checking, and collaboration with trade partners to establish the correct budget.