First line of defense

Published: November 1, 2009

Photo submitted by M.A. Mortenson Co.

By Janine Anderson

Projects hinge on Doug Heinrich’s opinion.

As chief estimator at M.A. Mortenson Co., Brookfield, Heinrich develops the estimates that are critical to owners’ and contractors’ assessments of a project’s feasibility, timetable and cost.

“In this environment, where construction is stagnating, he’s a sounding board of advice,” said Peter Kucha, senior project manager for Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects Inc.

Heinrich, a 19-year veteran of the industry, is an integral part of any project, Kucha said. Heinrich has worked with Kucha on several projects in the past 10 years, he said, and he trusts his work, as do others in the industry.

And with the increasingly fast changes in the construction market, Kucha said, trustworthy estimating has become even more important.

“There’s so much uncertainty in how fast the price of steel could double,” Kucha said. “You lean on guys like Doug. We have a long-standing relationship and know he’s capable.”

Another longtime colleague of Heinrich’s, Michael Day, senior project executive for Brookfield-based Hammes Co. LLC, said Heinrich’s estimates provide the information needed to make projects happen.

His calculations are accurate, articulate and on target, Day said.

“You hear about the importance of estimating, but you never hear a lot about the guy that does it,” Day said. “He’s never credited with having done this, but he’s done all the base work to make it happen and make it successful.”

Day has known Heinrich 11 years, Day said, and worked with him on several large projects for Aurora Health Care Inc. Heinrich’s work is at the ground level of projects, Day said, but while his estimates aren’t visible from the street, his contributions form part of projects’ foundations.

Heinrich’s extensive knowledge and experience come in particularly handy on unusual, tough projects, Kucha said, where clear-cut analysis can mean the difference between a project’s success and failure.

“He can price something really straightforward for you,” Kucha said, “but he can (also) really tackle the unique, hard-to-build projects and is good at quantifying what those (unconventional techniques) mean to a project and a schedule.”