Description

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark talks with Marc Heiman, President/CEO of New York–based builder Richter+Ratner, a 100+ year construction firm known for complex museums, schools, and civic projects—and for their bold promise of no fee on change orders. Marc unpacks how their T.E.A.R.™ (Technical Evaluation, Analysis, Recommendation) process transforms pre-construction from an afterthought into a profit-protecting advantage for owners, architects, and builders.

You’ll learn how shifting from lump-sum bidding to cost-plus/GMP, leaning into fast-track and complex work, and obsessing over constructability and logistics has allowed Marc’s team to deliver high-profile projects with fewer surprises and stronger relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Marc pivoted a legacy retail-focused firm into museums, schools, and civic work
• How the T.E.A.R.™ method reduces change orders through deep pre-construction collaboration
• The real difference between lump sum vs. cost-plus/GMP—and why some owners are misled
• Why Richter+Ratner charges no fee on change orders and still protects margins
• How referrals from long-term relationships (including a rabbi client) drive $5B+ in work
• Why chasing revenue without the right resources can destroy a referral-based business
• How Marc uses teaching, lecturing, and board work to influence the industry
• The personal boundaries and mental-health habits that keep a CEO effective long term