Stephen Nicholas

Director, Mechanical Estimating

YA Group

Biography

Steve Nicholas is the Director of Mechanical Estimating with more than 40 years of experience in mechanical estimating, industrial piping, and specialty construction. Steve is a valued leader at YA Group.

He leads the company’s mechanical estimating operations, driving strategy, estimating accuracy, workflow efficiency, and team development. His expertise spans complex commercial, institutional, and industrial projects, and he is known for strengthening estimating processes and improving project predictability.

Earlier in his career at YA Group and Trophy Point, LLC, Steve served as a Senior Mechanical Estimator, delivering detailed mechanical estimates for large and technically demanding projects. Before that, he spent more than a decade as a mechanical estimator at Baer & Associates and nearly two decades at Birdair, Inc., where he estimated large‑scale tensile fabric structures worldwide.

Steve began his career as a Field Engineer and Process Writer with ITT Grinnell at a nuclear power plant under construction, followed by quality control roles in insulation and mechanical systems. His combination of field experience, design insight, and decades of estimating expertise has earned him a reputation for precision, technical depth, and reliable leadership across the industry.

Professional Experience

  • 2025 - Current | Director of Mechanical Estimating | YA Group
  • 2024 - 2025 | Senior Mechanical Estimator | YA Group
  • 2018 - 2024 | Senior Mechanical Estimator | Trophy Point, LLC
  • 2007 - 2018 | Mechanical Estimator | Baer & Associates, LLC
  • 1988 - 2006 | Construction Estimator | Birdair Inc.
  • 1987 - 1988 | Quantity Control Inspector - Level I | Insulation Services, Inc.
  • 1983 - 1987 | Field Engineer-Process Writer | ITT Grinnell Industrial Piping, Inc.

Education

  • State University of New York Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred - Associate of Applied Sciences - Mechanical Engineering Technology - Alfred - New York

Training Courses

  • Leadership Development Pathway
  • MCACES, 2nd Generation (MII) Basic Training Course