The reputation of the Moote Group rests on two principles – honesty and integrity.  These principles inspired its creation over 35 years ago.

Paul A. Moote Sr. didn’t hesitate back in 1974 when his wife, Adele, asked him what he loved to do most in the industry.  After successful careers as a civil engineer, an underground contractor, homebuilder, construction manager and estimator, Paul Sr. realized that, above all else, he loved to see land development become a reality.  Land development costs are a tricky and risky proposition for homebuilders.  Paul Sr. saw an opportunity for someone with experience in the industry to methodically and impartially calculate the cost of land development before the actual work began.  So he founded Paul A. Moote & Associates, Inc., rented a couple of offices down under the stairs from Mr. Dick Hunsaker, Hunsaker & Associates, in Costa Mesa and started selling his services to the industry.

Paul Sr.’s first client was Robert P. Warmington.  Bob believed in what Paul Sr. was trying to do and was in need of the services that he offered.  Word of Paul Sr.'s reliable and accurate estimates quickly spread in the industry and his business took off.  In the early 80’s, his son, Paul A. Moote II (Paul 2) and daughter, Marjorie Knitter, joined the firm and began training at their father’s side.  Paul Sr. taught them a solid system and code of ethics to be applied to cost estimates, bidding and construction management for residential, commercial and all land development projects.

“Build the project in your mind as you are doing the quantity take-offs, put the estimate in the order of construction and think like a contractor.  Look for ways to save money on the project with different designs, better constructability or different methods or materials.  Be honest with your assessment of the project, do what is right for the project.  Remember that your job does not depend on the success of the project, so always be honest.”

In 1989, the company’s name was changed to The Moote Group with Marjorie Knitter as its president and Paul 2 as a vice president.  The firm has added two principals – Steve Murow and Mark Hassman – and has grown to a staff of approximately 30. Its expertise has been expanded from land development cost estimates, bidding, bid negotiation, contracts and construction management to include dry utility coordination, risk assessment, due diligence, land use permitting and entitlement, dry utility designs, program management and expert witness services.

The future is bright for The Moote Group because of the process of land development becomes more difficult, convoluted and expensive every day.  The expertise, honesty and integrity that The Moote Group brings to the industry are needed more today than ever before.