Maddy Cote, Estimator, National Granite Flooring
Maddy Cote
Transitioning from a middle school classroom to the complex world of construction estimating might seem like a leap, but for Maddy Cote, it was a natural evolution. What began as a part-time endeavor assisting her husband evolved into a full-time estimator and scheduler role over the last four years as she refined her craft.
For Maddy, estimating is far more than just crunching numbers. It is a balancing act that requires a unique mental duality that combines putting together the right numbers to win a bid and then helping the project team get it done while ensuring that National Granite Flooring and their partners are successful. A typical day in her life is a whirlwind of activity: managing over 100 emails, maintaining complex estimating schedules, supporting project teams, and responding to Value Engineering (VE) requests to keep bids moving out the door. She thrives on the variety of the work, noting that every bid is a fresh puzzle shaped by different general contractors, specifications, and project types.
“One area we specialize in is multi-family housing. It is really cool to have a part in helping a project go from conception to completion, and to know that I had a part, albeit a small one, in creating homes for so many people,” says Maddy.
The true reward, however, lies in the finished product. She says, “For me, estimating allows me to use both sides of my brain: the logical and the creative. It’s about the challenge of putting together the right numbers to get a job and building the relationships to make the project and the people we are working with successful.”
