Pre-Construction Services Pre-Construction Services

Pre-Construction Services

We provide pre-construction services to owners and architects.

The pre-construction phase of a project is often the most important. This is when building type, systems and materials are considered, all of which have a significant impact on cost and schedule.

We use our experience as builders to offer sound advice to our clients regarding the following pre-construction areas:

  • Site selection including soils investigation and topography
  • Coordination with local municipalities regarding zoning and planning board approval
  • Building construction types and structural systems
  • Preliminary budgets, detailed estimates and value engineering, when several options can be explored before final selections are made
  • Preliminary schedules and constructability reviews

We are a full-service builder in a competitive market. We use real time data and experience to perform our pre-construction services. We give our clients' projects a "reality check" to help the owners and designers achieve a successful project.

Other services we offer:


Meet our Pre-Construction Team

Anthony Obernesser

Anthony Obernesser Anthony Obernesser

Vice President Preconstruction

Anthony Obernesser has over 22 years of commercial construction industry experience with Gaetano Construction Corporation. A graduate of SUNY Institute of Technology, Mr. Obernesser started with Gaetano as a Project Manager Assistant. He has since progressed to Estimator, Project Manager, Cheif Estimator and Senior Project Manager working on several multi-million dollar projects. He has held the position of draftsman, estimator and manager of both conventional and pre-engineered metal building projects and has had the additional opportunity to work in the in the design/build department.

As Vice President of Preconstruction, Mr. Obernesser works with Owners and Architects to plan and budget their projects from the conceptual estimate stage.

He works closely with the Project Management Department to pre-plan the work. He is responsible for oversight of the Estimating Department.

In addition to his work experience, Mr. Obernesser also completed the AGC-NYS Young Constructors Management Training Program, the AGC Project Manager's Course and the AGC Estimating Academy. He also service on the Advisory Board for the SUNY-IT Civil Engineering Technology program.

Key Projects

Hamilton College Theatre & Studio Arts building, Clinton, NY - $35M

Led the Gaetano team in budgeting and negotiating $35 million GMP CM at risk construction contract.

Assured Information Security - $7M

New construction of a two-story 45,000 SF Corporate Office building on the Griffiss Technology Park in Rome, NY. The steel structure is enclosed with precast concrete and a Centria panel & window system, the steel columns outward of the building envelope are wrapped with circular covers giving the exterior walls a distinct setback from the precast fascia band.

January 2004 - February 2010

Led the estimating department, managed and directed the estimating staff, reviewed all negotiated and competitive bids and budget quotations. Managed the projects through the Pre-Construction phase, where the scope and schedule are determined, subcontractors are selected and the final price is established. Prepared estimates from conceptual drawings as well as fully designed documents.

Acacia Village Phase 2, Utica, NY - $20M

Responsibility as Chief Estimator - Budgeted and assisted in contract negotiations for $20 million (75) unit senior apartment complex using "Design/Build-CM at Risk Delivery System".

Intelligence & Reconnaissance Lab, Rome, NY - $8M

Responsibility as on-site Project Manager for the 100,000 SF, $8 million Air Force Research Laboratory in Griffiss Business & Technology Park.

Education

  • B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering Technology
    SUNY Institute of Technology, Marcy NY
  • Member Phi-Beta-Kappa National Honor Society for Engineering Technologies

Work Experience

  • Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation, Utica, NY - 1992-Present

Continuing Education/Training

  • OSHA 10 Hour Course
  • N.Y.S. (GBC) General Building Contractors, Young Constructors Course
  • (AGC) Associated General Contractors, Project Management Course
  • (AGC) Associated General Contractors, Estimating Academy
  • Accredited LEED Green Associate
...More

William C. Gaetano

William C. Gaetano William C. Gaetano

Executive Vice President

Mr. Gaetano has worked at the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. since 1969. In 1993 he assumed responsibility for the company's business development. Under his leadership, the firm has tripled its work volume performed, while the business has grown into a full-service general contractor and design-build firm. Mr. Gaetano is responsible for over $50 million in work.

There are a number of industries which Mr. Gaetano focuses on including healthcare, educational and institutional, retail, commercial, manufacturing and warehousing, along with multi-unit and residential projects. Mr. Gaetano has generated jobs for the company ranging from $50,000 to $25 million in value.

Mr. Gaetano's broad range of responsibilities include business development, marketing, corporate/community relations, insurance, bonding and banking.

Affiliations & Awards

  • Board Member, Associated General Contractors of America
  • Former President and Former Director, General Building Contractors of New York State (GBC)
  • Advisory Board Member, SUNY Delhi
  • Board Member, Mohawk Valley Edge
  • Member, Utica Industrial Development Corp.
  • 1997 - Distinguished Alumni Award, Delhi College
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Michael Bushardt

Michael Bushardt Michael Bushardt

Chief Estimator

As a Dean's List student in Construction Management, Mr. Bushardt joined Gaetano Construction Corporation in 1999. Upon graduation, Mr. Bushardt has continued his growth with the Corporation as an Estimator and Project Manager.

Mr. Bushardt's responsibilities as an Estimator included quantity take-offs, pricing, compiling and reviewing subcontractor and material proposals on projects up to $22 million. He also has the ability to provide budgets on construction documents that are in the schematic and design development stages. His participation on the Cayuga Medical Center began 1 year prior to the start of construction.

In October 2005, Mr. Bushardt was assigned to a Project Manager position. His responsibilities now include assisting in or negotiating the buyout, writing subcontracts and purchase orders. Establish and continue to maintain the project schedule requirements, coordinating overall activities based on individual project goals and milestones. Conferring daily with the superintendent and project team to overcome obstacles and keep the project moving, while reviewing project operations to ensure safety and productivity. Negotiate cost and schedule impact for all scope changes with the project team and continues to track this process through issuance of change orders. Maintain a cooperative working relationship between the Owner, Architect, Superintendent and Subcontractors.

In March, 2010 Mr. Bushardt became the Chief Estimator for the Company. As the leader of the Estimating Department, he manages and directs the estimating staff, reviews all negotiated and competitive bids and budget quotations. Mr. Bushardt also manages the projects through the Pre-Construction phase, where the scope and the schedule are determined, subcontractors are selected and the final price is established. He has the experience and ability to prepare estimates from conceptual drawings as well as fully designed documents.

Key Projects

New York State Department of Corrections Residential Mental Health Facility - $11.1 M

Marcy Correctional Facility, Marcy, NY - A 60,000 square-foot 1-story Building with masonry exterior & interior wall. A Fast Track LEED Project completed within the 293 day bonus period.

Lewis County Courthouse - $8.3 M

Addition & Renovations, Lowville, NY - New 40,000 square-foot 3-story addition for the County Court System providing multiple courtrooms, law libraries and state-of-the-art security. Renovation to the former 35,000 SF Courthouse and County Office Building into Board of Legislators Chamber and other offices serving Lewis county.

Price Chopper - Renovation $3.8M

60,000 square-foot renovation/expansion to existing store in North Utica, New York

St. Luke's Healthcare - Centrex Lab $2.3M

12,000 square-foot addition/renovation to Centrex Labs at St. Luke's Hospital, New Hartford, New York

Fazio Clubhouse - $445,000

15,000 square-foot building shell for new golf clubhouse at Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York

Continuing Education / Training

  • B.S. Construction Management - Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, New York
  • U.S. Army Combat Engineer School
  • N.Y.S. (GBC) General Building Contractors , Future Construciton Leaders Course
  • OSHA 10 Hour Course

Affiliations & Awards

  • Prior Army Reservist - Drill Sergeant
  • Awarded Brigade Soldier of the Year, 1998
  • Combat Veteran, Bronze Star
  • Accredited LEED Green Associate
  • Lean Construction Institute
  • AGC NYS
  • AGC of America Member
  • Utica College, Adjunct Professor / CM Program 2014-2020
  • 1st Vice Chair and Small Business Council Chair - Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce
...More