How a 100-Year-Old Builder Kills Change Orders with Pre-Construction Mastery
- S2E68
- 14:07
- June 3rd 2026
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
The Contractor Grow Show
Are you a successful contractor, remodeler, or home service provider looking to elevate your business through smarter digital marketing? The Contractor Grow Show is your go-to resource for proven, actionable strategies to grow your business online.
Hosted every two weeks, this podcast dives deep into the digital marketing techniques that can help home service providers like you reach new customers, optimize lead generation, and boost revenue. Each episode features exclusive interviews with industry-leading experts, digital marketing pros, and high-performing contractors who are sharing their real-world success stories and game-changing strategies.
Whether you're already doing $1M in annual revenue or on your way, you'll learn how to leverage SEO, paid advertising, social media, and more to stand out in a competitive market. Get insights from entrepreneurs and contractors you’ve never heard from before—who are using digital marketing to push their business to the next level.
If you're ready to take your business to the next level with the latest digital marketing techniques tailored specifically for remodelers and home service pros, the Contractor Grow Show is the podcast for you!