20+ Years Estimating for Builders Across Australia

Formally educated in Engineering and Construction Management, I’ve worked in many areas of the construction industry, including as a Construction Manager and then General Manager of a construction company building around 400 houses per year with a turnover of $100 million, operating in a multi-entity, multi-centre setup throughout Queensland.

I have extensive experience with setting up estimating and other integrated management systems, including working with the Databuild team, Franchises, and various high-volume builders.

I understand the pitfalls of “Do it yourself” estimating and the difficulties faced by builders in integrating their sales, construction, and estimating process with the financial function of a building company.

Outside of the business, I have a passion for travel, catching up with family and friends, and I’m currently into adventure racing. Highlights include completing Coast to Coast in NZ and a 100-mile trail run in the Blue Mountains. “I’m very slow, so I feel I have to go long!”

Before joining the team in 2019, I worked in various roles in the construction industry, which has allowed me to bring a unique skillset to my role here.

While I do love working on high-end residential projects, currently I’m leading a team that collaborates closely with our project-style clients, developing systems, and providing high-level estimating services to ensure our clients operate as efficiently, smoothly, and profitably as possible.

I believe my attention to detail, ability to problem solve, and dedication are key strengths in building my relationships with the companies that we engage with.

When I’m away from the office, I enjoy socialising with friends and, loving a crowd, attending concerts and football matches.

I joined the team at the start of 2021 as a junior estimator. I’m now close to finishing my degree in Construction from SQU, and my skills have developed in all areas of estimating, especially in setting up system integrations and maintaining system software.

I enjoy working very closely with new clients from all over Australia, providing real solutions, delivering systems, and setting up estimating support. 

My interests include playing sports, snowboarding, camping, and spending time with family.

I’m the North Queensland specialist, providing estimating support for some of the region’s largest and most professional builders.

I have an extensive knowledge base of NQ building regulations and engineering requirements.

I enjoy working on home-based projects. Currently, I’m making a chicken coop that I claim will withstand a Cat 2 cyclone, but secretly it’ll probably survive a Cat 5!

I’m also trying out trail running. I’m not very good at it, but I have finished all the races I have started… just!

I have a passion for drafting.

Currently, I’m remotely embedded with one of our Brisbane-based large custom builders. I’m really enjoying being a member of their team, as well as ours.

I embrace our group activities and have made a name for myself abseiling from stadium roofs and the like!

In my spare time, I love cooking in my kitchen. My young daughter’s biggest threat to me is that she’ll stop me from going in the kitchen if she doesn’t get her way!

I’m rapidly developing my estimating skills handling both sales and production estimating mainly with our team servicing our largest builder on the Gold Coast.

I’m passionate about the outdoors and love camping, fishing, exploring nature, and cooking with my young family.

As an artist by nature, I create handmade jewellery in my spare time, inspired by earth and ocean, often featuring seashells and sea-glass I collect from our beaches. I occasionally sell my jewellery at weekend markets, and my work has even been spotted adorning the odd celebrity!

I think I bring calmness and joy to our office, and I love being part of the team.

I’m originally from Bulgaria and moved to Australia in 2006.

I have a Diploma in project management, a Degree in Social Work, and I’m now planning to start a Construction Management degree.

I enjoy the challenge of high end estimating, taking on complex multi-res, multi-storey builds. I’m always curious, love learning and bouncing ideas off the rest of the team.

I’m full of energy, love nature, hiking, and especially beekeeping (even though I’m allergic to them).

Q: “Deni- what’s your biggest claim to fame?

A: I can cross stitch with both hands!!”

As the company has grown, I’ve moved more into an estimating role. My strengths include an eye for detail and communication skills, which help me in contract management, resolving issues, and sorting variations for our builders.

I surprised myself on our recent team challenge on Magnetic Island, managing the 18km bush bash, now I’m so motivated that I’ve even placed a treadmill under my standup desk! A pink one, of course, to match the rest of my décor!

Away from work, I love Chihuahuas and own a breeding pair. I’m an avid cruiser (boats, that is), love reading, and enjoy spending time with my family.

My role involved collaborating with builders, tilers, and architects to complete tile take-offs.

I love it here at Talus Building Solutions, helping the team by setting up jobs in our system, completing preliminary measures, and loading completed jobs onto our builder’s estimating and accounting programs. I’m well on my way to becoming an accomplished construction estimator.

I like to think I brighten the office with my quick wit, dry sense of humour, and I’m never short of a fun fact!

Outside of work, I lead an active, adventurous life, running, playing AFL & I love spending time with family and of course an occasional Pizza & Cocktail nights by an open fire.

I handle our HR and administration; I’ve been working within the company for many years in various roles. I’m also a qualified nurse, so I’m more than equipped to handle anything that may happen during our team-building events!

Always warm and generous, I have a love of travel and have recently started throwing myself into aid projects to support some of the poorest communities in Nepal, Laos, and Vietnam. The projects are hands-on, building houses and shelters, fitting out hospitals and schools, working on elephant conservation, and promoting women’s health and well-being.

When I’m home, I love spending time with family and friends, keeping fit, and learning to play the banjo.