The pressure riding on the shoulders of Kane’s Senior Estimator Lauren Gamble could rattle her today, but she takes it all in her stride. Her expectations of herself and her team are high and she expects to win this tender, as she does every tender she estimates for Kane. She already visualises one of Kane’s project teams building this new multi-level commercial building, and until it’s lost, she believes it’s hers to win.
“With estimating, the reality is that we have to work hard to continue winning jobs so that Kane can continue to build the projects we are invited to tender,” Lauren said. “It’s our job to get the ball rolling and convert the new prospects that come our way - it’s the beginning of an exciting new process.”
It all starts when Kane is invited to tender for a project and Lauren is assigned as estimator. She reviews the details of the contract and deciphers the submission requirements.
After meeting with the BD Manager Susan Mercer, Construction Manager Will Scully, and the tender submission team, Lauren organises the documents for subcontractors with estimating cadet Giordani Garozzo whom she mentors, and ensures that all document control is completed correctly.
She arranges a site visit, which could mean a trip to the Gold or Sunshine Coast, Maryborough, Toowoomba or just over the bridge at South Brisbane, to speak with the architect, project manager and client about the intricacies of the request.
“There is so much more to it than just pricing trades,” Lauren admits. “And if I only looked at the works alone and didn’t consider every other facet such as location, heritage, access, tight programming, and the many other controls, it would be tunnel vision, as there is so much more to think through to make the project run smoothly for those on site and for the end deliverables.”
Lauren has helped Kane win jobs like the refurbishment of Government House, the Anzac Square Restoration, the Riverside Centre Vertical Village, Emerald Apartments Noosa and the pool area upgrade at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
Lauren enjoys the build-up to a tender submission, and spends her time measuring and compiling subcontractor quotes and adjusting the prices accordingly.
“It’s a bit of an adrenaline rush in those last days - you are so busy processing and reviewing all of the information. But time goes so fast because you’re working towards the final price,” she said.
The night before, Lauren puts in the extra hours so that submission day runs smoothly. She makes sure everything is in order to avoid the mad rush and then comes in early after a 5am run to clear her head.
Even then, she’s still chasing last minute pricing to ensure the client gets the best quote for the best job possible.
The tender team adds the non-price criteria and after everything is checked and triple checked, the tender is in the hands of the client.
“It’s such a satisfying feeling after a tender is submitted. At the end of the day, I expect to win, but if Kane receives positive feedback, which ultimately means the potential for a repeat invitation, then it’s all been worthwhile.”
