What we estimate
Multifamily Construction Estimating
Multifamily construction estimating prices projects from duplexes to mid-size apartment and condo buildings, where repeating unit types and shared systems dominate the cost. K2E prices one unit type accurately, then scales it across the building, so the estimate stays consistent and the common areas and site work are not overlooked.
Multifamily rewards precision because errors multiply. A small miss on one unit type becomes a large miss across forty of them. The discipline is pricing the repeating unit exactly, then handling everything that is not repeated.
What the estimate includes
- Repeating unit types, priced once and scaled
- Common areas, corridors, and amenity spaces
- Site work, parking, and utilities
- Building-wide mechanical, electrical, and fire protection
- Podium, wood-frame, or mixed structural systems
| Description | Qty | Unit | Material | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site prep and excavation | 1 | LS | - | 3,850 | 3,850 |
| Concrete slab on grade | 576 | SF | 4,320 | 3,168 | 7,488 |
| Framing, walls and trusses | 576 | SF | 7,200 | 5,760 | 12,960 |
| Roofing, architectural shingle | 14 | SQ | 2,380 | 2,940 | 5,320 |
| Siding, fiber cement | 1,120 | SF | 4,928 | 5,264 | 10,192 |
| Overhead door and opener | 2 | EA | 3,180 | 940 | 4,120 |
| Electrical, rough and finish | 1 | LS | 1,240 | 2,760 | 4,000 |
| Subtotal, 7 of 34 line items | 47,930 | ||||
Errors multiply in multifamily
The reason multifamily estimates blow up is scale. Price a unit type five percent light and, across the building, that is a serious number. So the unit-type takeoff has to be right before anything gets multiplied.
We lock the repeating scopes first, then price the one-off scopes (site, common areas, building systems) separately, so a change to the unit mix does not force a rebuild of the whole estimate.
FAQ
Common questions
How do you handle multiple unit types?
Each unit type is taken off and priced once, then multiplied by its count. When the unit mix changes, only the counts change, so revisions are fast and the underlying pricing stays consistent.
Do you cover podium and wood-frame construction?
Yes. We price to the structural system in the drawings, whether that is wood frame, podium over concrete, or a mixed system, and reflect the cost differences between them.
Other project types
See the work before you commit
A real, itemized, bid-ready K2E estimate for a detached garage build. The same document a paying contractor received.