Everything Costs More Later: Due Diligence with Brent Felten, Director of BD at Henderson Engineers

In the first in-person New York City episode of Behind the Barricade, Jim Christian sits down with Brent from Henderson to explore what meaningfully improves productivity in construction and engineering.

Brent shares how Henderson increased revenue without proportionally increasing headcount by standardizing workflows, improving project visibility, introducing better task-management tools, and creating specialized project coordinator and administrator roles. The goal is not simply to produce drawings faster—it is to free experienced professionals to spend more time solving complex problems and providing higher-value guidance to clients.

The conversation also examines one of the most expensive mistakes owners make: committing to a space before completing adequate due diligence. Brent recounts a difficult SoHo retail project where hidden electrical, fire alarm, HVAC, and sprinkler deficiencies created costs and complications that could have been identified before the lease was signed.

Jim and Brent close by discussing talent development, automation, career pathing, and the need to prepare younger professionals to work in an industry where structure and uncertainty exist at the same time. The central message is clear: lasting productivity comes from better systems, earlier decisions, stronger communication, and deliberate investment in people.