The civil engineering industry has long been recognised for its technical challenges and complex projects. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift in the demographics of the workforce, particularly with the rise of women estimators. This movement signifies not just a change in numbers, but a cultural transformation within the industry.

Barhale has an amazing team of women working both in operational and support roles. Our female staff carry out vital roles and support our civil engineering and infrastructure services across the water, transport, built environment and energy sectors. Women within our business are breaking boundaries and promoting gender equality within still traditional male-dominated roles. With this in mind, our series celebrates key women within our business.

Continuing our series on key women in estimating, we explore the journey’s of Denisa Lupescu and Alina Cosavanu, who have both made significant contribution within the Barhale estimating team.

Denisa Lupescu

Denisa started her career with Barhale in 2017, after leaving another civil engineering company where she had worked for a year and admits this gave her, her first taste of cost estimating. This provided her with a great foundation for her future career. Prior to this, she completed a civil engineering degree in 2016 at Gheorghe Asachi University in Romania.

Motivation for joining Barhale and becoming an estimator

Denisa explains her motivation to making the move to Barhale. “The main factor for joining Barhale was from my friend and University colleague who was already working at Barhale. His positive feedback and the company’s strong reputation caught my interest. Moving to the UK and taking on the challenge of succeeding in a different country was not something I had initially planned, but the opportunity arose and I decided to embrace it. The role of an estimator seemed like the perfect fit, combining my technical skills with my interest in project planning.”

Denisa’s day-to-day responsibilities include analysing project specifications, conducting site visits and collaborating with site teams to prepare detailed cost estimates. Denisa also researches material costs, engages with subcontractors, planning works and other budget factors. Additionally, she meets with clients to discuss project scope and addresses concerns that they may have. No two days are the same and she enjoys the variety that each day brings.

Highlights and challenges

The most significant challenge for Denisa has been adapting to a new country with its unique legislation and estimating methods, which she has had to get used to. However, in terms of highlights, she details a notable high point in her career, “In 2019, I received an early careers commendation during the Barhale Three Pillar Annual Awards, recognising my dedication and acheivement in my job.”

Her journey so far…

Denisa is enjoying the journey so far, although it has been challenging but rewarding, she recognises the opportunities she has had for personal growth. She states: “the job is dynamic and keeps me on my toes, which I really appreciate. There is always something new to learn and that keeps it exciting.”

Training opportunities and long term goals

“During my time at Barhale, I’ve attended various training courses including contract management risk assessment and specific training supporting the work that I do for the Candy CCS estimating and P6 for planning project software. In addition to this, I have attended workshops for a variety of different work-related training and I have completed an estimating course.” Denisa’s long term goals include advancing to a senior estimating role, which would provide an opportunity to take on larger and more complex projects. She is also interested in mentoring junior estimators . She readily admits she want to become an expert in her field, contributing even more to the success of the projects she works on.

Interests and hobbies

Beyond work, Denisa is fascinated by human psychology and behaviour. “I’m particularly interested in how our actions influence others. I also like to delve into the concept of energy within the body and its impact on well-being.” Denisa is dedicated to personal development and is continuously seeking opportunities for growth. Personally, she is passionate about yoga, enjoys taking long walks and loves going on holiday to explore new places and making lasting memories with her family.

Nick Piggott, bid manager (southern region) and Denisa’s line manager has been supporting Denisa throughout her time in the estimating department: “Denisa joined the southern estimating team about six years ago and despite not having much site experience, she has really embraced the estimating role, asking question of those with key experience and researching constructing techniques and key suppliers/sub contractors. Denisa has great attention to detail, is very professional and has become a valued, reliable and key member of the southern team.”

As an organisation where people are our DNA, we continue to support Denisa in her role and her future with Barhale and are excited to see where she takes her career, whilst playing a key part in nurturing her journey.

Alina Cosavanu

Focusing on the estimating department, trainee estimator Alina Cosavanu talks to our Comms department about her role and journey so far with Barhale.

Alina’s background and how she started at Barhale                                               

“I studied a Bachelor of Engineering in Geodesy Engineering Technical University in Romania, which I completed in 2017. My now husband had already secured a place as a graduate the year before, as Barhale had advertised at the University and I also applied and got the position of graduate engineer in 2017.”

Promoting from within

Barhale advocates promoting from within and managers were able to see Alina’s exceptional capability right from the start. Alina has been on a fast-track career since her appointment and the leadership team could see her invaluable contribution to the business and recognised her efforts by promoting her to site engineer in 2018, section engineer in 2020 and sub-agent in 2022.

Experience gained

When talking about her duties in the various roles she has had, Alina details her role and the experiences she has gained, the challenges she has had to overcome as well as the recognition she has received for her work.

“I’ve worked mainly on tunnelling projects and have overseen all engineering aspects for the projects. For example, and to demonstrate how challenging some of the projects were, I worked on one project working with two tunnels from the same shaft and it was difficult to manage. The big challenge on the project was that we had two TBMs running simultaneously from the same shaft, with an old brick egg-shaped sewer still flowing live while driving the tunnels. We had to implement a rigorous check system on both the tunnel lines and the existing sewer to make sure we delivered the project safely and following the highest standards of quality. I rose to the challenge and as a result of the hard work of the whole team working on the North London Heath and Power Project, both the project and I were finalists at the NCE Tunnelling Awards, which was amazing.”

Joining the Estimating team

In recent years, Alina’s personal circumstances changed with her getting married and having a child, so she started to look at where the direction of her career was heading, wanting less unsociable hours and more of a balanced home life. With the full support of her line manager, Alina decided to transfer to the estimating team and become a trainee estimator. Her job now ranges from assisting/shadowing qualified estimators, assessing for future jobs, obtaining prices, liaising suppliers and assessing resources and equipment required. The role is a hybrid position with two days in the office and three days working from home. To support her journey, Alina is undertaking a Highway Estimating & Costing course and is subsequently looking to do a Level 3 NVQ in Construction Operations – Estimating in the near future. Alina is thoroughly enjoying upskilling to deliver her new role. She enthusiastically describes how she is embracing the challenges of being an estimator.

“I like having the opportunity to do work in better ways, I like that I can plan the job myself and find solutions. In my other roles, I would just follow a plan. So I find the contribution I can make is a huge advantage of being an estimator.”

Interests and hobbies

In Alina’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has been able to secure friendships and has made firm links within the Romanian community both within Barhale and outside of work which is so helpful being so far from home. Alina also likes travelling, playing tennis and gardening in her downtime. Some final words from Alina and for anyone thinking about a career in Civil Engineering.

“The obvious choice is usually to go into design or consulting, especially for women but men too, after doing an Engineering course, but I would strongly recommend going onto a live site even if it is just for a short while so you can get practical experience.”

Nick Piggott, Bid Manager (Southern region) and Alina’s line manager described Alina’s progress to date:

“Although Alina has only been in the Estimating team for under 3 months, she has shown a great commitment to working through our internal estimator training programme and really has thrown herself into the role. She has progressed so quickly that she is already using the CANDY estimating software and with her previous construction knowledge from working on site, she is compiling programmes and pricing up her first tenders.”

We wish Alina all the best as she continues her training within the estimating department.