Residential Building Material Estimator
About the job
- Experience building relationships with vendors, account holders, and retail customers.
- A background in estimating or at least 2–3 years of industry experience.
- Knowledge of building material products.
- Acknowledge, greet, and assist customers in a timely and professional manner.
- Handle telephone and electronic inquiries efficiently and effectively.
- Identify customer needs and provide the appropriate level of assistance.
- Research and resolve customer complaints and conflicts.
- Understand the marketplace and product features.
- Work to meet prospective customers’ needs through suggestive selling, upgrades, add-on sales, and effective closing techniques.
- Follow up on quotes and convert quotes to orders.
- Develop ongoing business relationships with customers and vendors.
- Share expertise with others.
- Estimate quantities of materials to be purchased.
- Maintain communication with the salesperson and customer.
- Use judgment to interpret codes and standards, design processes, specifications, and drawings.
- Interpret scope-of-work statements, specifications, drawing conflicts, ambiguities, and uncertainties.
- Collect information from other departments relevant to completing estimates.
- Complete estimates within required timeframes.
- Contact suppliers and vendors for current prices.
- Notify customers of discrepancies or errors in plans.
- Visit job sites to gather information for estimates.
About the company
Curtis Lumber operates as a regional, family-owned retailer of building materials, with more than 23 locations across New York and Vermont. The business sells lumber, hardware, and related building supplies to contractors and homeowners, supporting projects through its network of yards and delivery services. The company grew by acquiring similar, community-focused lumber yards, preserving a local, family-led identity rather than joining a large national chain. Its goal is to provide a local, customer-focused alternative to big-box stores by expanding thoughtfully through acquisitions and maintaining multi-generational family leadership.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Seed
Total Funding
$600K
Headquarters
Town of Ballston, New York
Founded
1890
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Curtis added JAY-K in February 2025, expanding its Upstate New York footprint.
- 2026 job postings show hiring across dispatch, sales, and after-sales service.
- A September 2026 website update still markets delivery across New York and Vermont.
What critics are saying
- Housing-supply weakness and lumber price volatility hit 2026 demand and margins immediately.
- Curtis depends heavily on New York and Vermont; one regional slowdown hurts results.
- Without a clean sixth-generation handoff, family control fractures and rivals absorb share.
What makes Curtis Lumber unique
- Founded in 1890, Curtis Lumber still runs family-owned, now across 23 locations.
- Its February 2025 JAY-K acquisition kept another local brand inside the network.
- Curtis pairs lumberyards with design centers, delivery trucks, and warranty-service specialists.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Bereavement Leave
Profit Sharing
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Discount
Community Events
Employee Referral Bonus