What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preconstruction Estimator position at Buffalo Construction, Inc.?
Description
At Buffalo Construction, we don’t just build restaurants, retail, and recreation spaces—we build remarkable experiences for our client partners. As a Preconstruction Estimator, you’ll play a pivotal role at the heart of every project, turning bold visions into clear, cost-conscious realities before a shovel ever hits the ground.
If you're a strategic thinker who thrives on solving puzzles, collaborating with powerhouse teams, and bringing structure to creativity, this is your calling.
What You’ll Do
Project Feasibility
At Buffalo, we’re fueled by our values: Celebration, Commitment, Continuous Improvement, and Compassion. We believe in doing the right thing—even when it’s hard. You’ll be part of a team that celebrates wins, learns from challenges, and never stops raising the bar.
At Buffalo Construction, we don’t just build restaurants, retail, and recreation spaces—we build remarkable experiences for our client partners. As a Preconstruction Estimator, you’ll play a pivotal role at the heart of every project, turning bold visions into clear, cost-conscious realities before a shovel ever hits the ground.
If you're a strategic thinker who thrives on solving puzzles, collaborating with powerhouse teams, and bringing structure to creativity, this is your calling.
What You’ll Do
Project Feasibility
- Use your expertise and market intel to develop conceptual and preliminary estimates with limited information.
- Identify pricing risks and help client partners make confident, data-backed site selection decisions.
- Set clear expectations for timelines involving zoning, design, permitting, and early due diligence.
- Act as a trusted partner to clients, design teams, and internal departments to ensure alignment from day one.
- Lead early planning sessions that bring scope, budget, and feasibility into perfect sync.
- Serve as the liaison between Preconstruction, Operations, and the rest of the project team.
- Keep a pulse on labor markets, material trends, and construction methods.
- Analyze historical data, forecasts, and benchmarks to increase estimating accuracy and reduce surprises.
- Align material selections with budget goals and flag constructability concerns early in design.
- Champion continuous improvement by refining tools, processes, and estimating techniques.
- Collaborate across departments to build smarter systems that drive speed and precision.
- Help develop and enhance SOPs that make us more efficient, consistent, and client-focused.
- Build detailed, accurate cost models for a diverse range of project types and scopes.
- Factor in soft costs, logistics, and realistic contingencies to create airtight budgets.
- Track and improve long-term accuracy of estimates from budget to contract to completion.
- 5 years of construction estimating or preconstruction experience
- Strong proficiency in Procore, Excel, and estimating software
- A keen eye for reading plans, specs, and scopes
- Exceptional communication skills and a passion for collaboration
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or relevant experience preferred
At Buffalo, we’re fueled by our values: Celebration, Commitment, Continuous Improvement, and Compassion. We believe in doing the right thing—even when it’s hard. You’ll be part of a team that celebrates wins, learns from challenges, and never stops raising the bar.