Chris Wards doesn’t just estimate projects … he elevates them. As Senior Estimator & Project Coordinator at Innovatus, Chris brings clarity, consistency, and collaboration to every tender and site challenge — whether it’s restoring parts of the Sydney Opera House or delivering critical healthcare upgrades like the Shellharbour Hospital Safe Assessment Unit.
From engineering to estimating
Chris came to estimating almost by accident. Fresh out of university with an engineering degree, he landed his first role thanks to a family connection and an eagerness to jump in. What began as a learning curve quickly became a career.
His engineering background gave him a unique perspective: the ability to break projects into components, interpret technical plans, and translate complexity into clear pricing.
“I’m not a QS,” Chris laughs. “But I understand the numbers, and I know how to talk to trades so they know exactly what needs pricing.”
Delivering the iconic and the essential
When Innovatus won the Green Room refurbishment at the Sydney Opera House, Chris was at the heart of it — tendering under the glare of heritage constraints and public scrutiny.
“It’s a place where there’s no room for mistakes. You’ve got to get it right the first time,” he says.
Later, on the Shellharbour Hospital Safe Assessment Unit, Chris navigated one of the toughest briefs yet: delivering a complex fitout while the hospital remained fully operational.
“Hospitals aren’t forgiving environments. You’ve got to be respectful of the people, the processes, and the space.”
Beyond the spreadsheets
Chris’s passion extends beyond construction. He’s a football guy through and through, whether it’s dissecting a match or warming up the next generation on his local field.
It’s this blend of precision and passion that defines his approach: thoughtful, team-first, and dedicated.
Leading through structure (and snacks)
One of Chris’s proudest improvements at Innovatus? The checklist system for estimating: a framework that took trade pricing chaos and made it manageable.
“Nick drilled in ‘no leaving things to the last minute.’ So now, everything’s process-led, from initial brief to final submission.”
But it’s not all hard hats and spreadsheets. Ask Chris about his personal life, and he’ll tell you about the “Pizza Hut marriage” — how he met his wife through her work at the same franchise — and the quirky way he once layered two garlic-based pizzas just because it could be done.
What drives him forward
Chris says it’s simple:
“It’s about delivering with clarity and making sure your team enjoys doing the work. When everyone’s pulling in the same direction, great things follow.”
“Better spaces, better communities — powered by people like Chris who care about getting it right the first time.”