25 Must-Read Construction Books For 2024
Whether you’ve been working in construction for years or just want to learn some basic skills for a DIY project, construction books are a great resource to add to your collection.
Top-rated authors in the industry cover everything from basic construction fundamentals to position-specific tools and resources. To help you find the right construction book for you, we’ve broken down our list of favorites into six categories based on industry, experience level and job type.
Table of Contents
- Construction Fundamentals
- Business Strategy
- Construction Management
- General Contracting
- Skilled Trades
- Construction Books For Kids
Read through our list of the top-rated books in the construction industry or skip to the infographic below to discover the best construction books for kids.
Construction Fundamentals
Anyone working in construction knows that it’s important to brush up on the basics before diving into a project. The following books cover construction fundamentals that are great for construction workers at every level, from beginners looking to learn the trade to seasoned professionals who want a simple guide for reference.
1. 1926 OSHA Construction Industry Regulations (2021 Edition)
The newest edition of “1926 OSHA Construction Industry Regulations” is a must-have for construction professionals in the new year. This book serves as an accessible guide to help employees quickly identify and avoid potential safety hazards on the job site. It contains a comprehensive list of all 1926 OSHA regulations, any changes made since the last yearly edition was released and a rundown of the most frequently cited regulations for easy access.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.5 stars
Best for: Construction workers looking for a quick and easy guide to OSHA safety regulations
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2. Residential Construction Performance Guidelines: Consumer Reference (5th Edition)
“Residential Construction Performance Guidelines” is another helpful reference tool created to help workers in the residential construction industry better manage customer complaints and expectations during a home building or remodeling project. Explaining why something is done a certain way can be difficult when a customer is angry or confused, and this book’s list of performance guidelines helps professionals bridge the knowledge gap.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.3 stars
Best for: Professionals working in residential construction and remodeling who frequently interact with clients
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3. The Construction Technology Handbook
Construction technology is constantly evolving. Knowing that it can be difficult to keep crews up to date on how to operate new technology, Hugh Seaton wrote “The Construction Technology Handbook” to provide a straightforward guide for onboarding new software and tools. This book not only explains in simple terms how new tools work but also how they can make workers’ jobs easier and safer.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.9 stars
Best for: Construction teams and managers working with new construction technology
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4. Chudley and Greeno’s Building Construction Handbook (12th edition)
This easy-to-use handbook is a go-to guide for construction students and professionals looking to brush up on their knowledge of all things construction. The 12th edition is updated to include new building methods and regulations while still providing a foundation of basic construction principles, building practices and regulations.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.6 stars
Best for: Construction students and professionals looking for a comprehensive guide to construction practices and regulations
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Business Strategy
Building a successful construction company takes a lot of time, effort and dedication. If you’re looking to improve your business strategy and grow your business, the following books can help you get started.
5. Balanced Accountability: Leadership Secrets to Win Hearts and Maximize Performance
One of the most important parts of running a successful business is creating healthy employer-employee relationships. “Balanced Accountability” provides a framework for employers to achieve this through clear and respectful communication, holding themselves accountable and motivating employees to perform at their best. Author Hernani Alves has over 20 years of business experience and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and business owners become more effective leaders.
Amazon Customer Rating: 4.6 stars
Best for: Managers and business owners who want to become more effective team leaders
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6. The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field
Mike Michalowicz wrote “The Pumpkin Plan” to help business owners level up their company without running themselves ragged. A business owner himself, Michalowicz shares the plan he learned from a pumpkin farmer to turn his stunted company into a multimillion-dollar business. While this book can be applied to any industry, it’s been a hit among construction startup owners looking for sustainable growth opportunities.
Amazon Customer Rating: 4.8 stars
Best for: Business owners looking to expand their company while maintaining a healthy work-life balance
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7. Fix This Next: Make the Vital Change That Will Level Up Your Business
Another book by Mike Michalowicz, “Fix This Next” aims to help entrepreneurs identify their biggest problem and create a plan to address it. Michalowicz uses his experience growing a successful company to show business owners how to create a hierarchy of needs, identify which ones need the most attention and take actionable steps to address them.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.7 stars
Best for: Business owners and entrepreneurs who want simple, actionable steps to level up their business
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8. Elevating Construction Superintendents: A Principle-Based Leadership Guide for Assistant Supers and Superintendents in Construction (The Art of the Builder, Book 1)
Construction superintendents play a crucial role in the building process. When trained properly, they can serve as leaders alongside project managers to ensure that each project they work on is successful. “Elevating Construction Superintendents” provides readers with fundamental principles and actionable steps to help them achieve success as superintendents and assistant supers — a must-have for anyone looking to grow in the role.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.4 stars
Best for: Construction superintendents and assistant superintendents striving to elevate their position
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9. Monthly Bill Organizer: Expense Tracker, Budget Planner, Bill Organizer
Staying organized is crucial to a business owner’s success. “Monthly Bill Organizer” provides a simple, effective way to keep track of your expenses and ensure that no bills slip through the cracks. While this is designed for people in all walks of life, construction professionals can use it to their advantage when keeping track of their project or business expenses.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.1 stars
Best for: Construction professionals who need a simple way to keep track of their project or business budget
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Construction Management
Because construction management requires a range of construction and leadership skills, it can be helpful for construction managers (CM) to keep useful books and resources on hand. The following books are popular amongst aspiring construction managers and seasoned professionals looking to brush up on their skills.
10. Construction Management (5th Edition)
“Construction Management” has become a standard text at universities across the U.S. offering construction management courses. This textbook covers a wide range of CM roles, from scheduling and planning to managing contracts and taxes. While this book was written with students and trainees in mind, it can also serve as a useful reference for practicing construction managers.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.8 stars
Best for: Students, trainees and working professionals looking to learn construction management fundamentals
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11. Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Handbook (2nd Edition)
This handbook is a go-to guide for construction managers, project managers and architects who want to improve their project management skills. It covers a variety of communication, leadership and technical skills and includes an updated list of relevant regulations and new technologies managers are likely to encounter on the job.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.4 stars
Best for: Construction managers, project managers and architects who want to improve their project management skills on the job
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12. Construction Management JumpStart: The Best First Step Toward a Career in Construction Management (3rd Edition)
“Construction Management JumpStart” is one of the most trusted introductory texts for new construction managers in the industry. This book provides readers with a detailed breakdown of a CM’s essential roles, an explanation of industry-specific regulations and detailed instructions on performing CM duties in a constantly evolving profession.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.5 stars
Best for: Construction management students and trainees
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13. Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding
“Nail Your Numbers” was written to help professionals working in construction management improve their bidding and estimating skills during the preconstruction process. A successful business requires accurate project selection, bidding and cost calculation, and this book provides a framework for professionals looking to hone their skills.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.5 stars
Best for: Construction managers and other professionals who want to improve their bidding and estimating skills
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General Contracting
General contractors have a unique set of skills that sets their profession apart from others working in the industry. The following books can help general contractors improve their business model and land more projects.
14. Start Your Own Construction and Contracting Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success
“Start Your Own Construction and Contracting Business” is a helpful tool for contractors in the process of starting their own business. This guide covers useful budgeting and estimating practices, provides solutions for common accounting issues and includes easy-to-follow checklists for essential government accounts. It also walks readers through pricing their services and recovering expenses, making it easier to keep a new business profitable as it takes off.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.5 stars
Best for: Entrepreneurs and new business owners in the contracting business
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15. Contractor’s Estimate Log Book: Quote Record Book
“Contractor’s Estimate Log Book” makes keeping track of estimates less of a headache by providing simple estimate pages for contractors to fill out on the go. Each of the 100 estimate sheets includes a section for dates, customer information, estimate amounts, requested work and more. The log book also includes an alphabetized index at the beginning, making it easy to access customers’ information later.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4 stars
Best for: Contractors looking for a simple and efficient way to keep track of customers’ estimates
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16. BNi General Construction Costbook (2022 Edition)
The newest edition of the “BNi General Construction Costbook” provides contractors with current and comprehensive pricing data for material, labor and equipment costs. Because the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in the construction supply chain, pricing information has changed dramatically. This book provides contractors with the most up-to-date information and organizes it in a way that makes filling out estimates as fast and easy as possible.
Amazon Consumer Rating: Not Available
Best for: Contractors looking for accurate and up-to-date material, labor and equipment costs
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17. Escape the Owner Prison: The contractor’s new way to scale, regain control and fast track growth while loving life
“Escape the Owner Prison” aims to teach contractors running their own business an important lesson: Sometimes, the best way to scale your business is to release your death grip. Author Richard Walsh pulls from his own experience to teach contractors how to automate and grow their business while creating more free time and financial freedom for themselves.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 5 stars
Best for: Contractors who want to scale their business and achieve more financial and personal freedom
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Skilled Trades
Tradespeople often have a unique skill set that requires specialized training and reference materials. The following books provide industry-specific information for HVAC/R techs, landscapers, welders and carpenters.
18. At Your Best as an HVAC/R Tech
“At Your Best as an HVAC/R Tech” is part of a step-by-step series to help tradespeople succeed in their chosen profession. This book helps readers decide if a career as an HVAC/R tech is right for them by explaining the essential job functions and walking through the process of building a successful career.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.2 stars
Best for: Tradespeople looking for a successful career as an HVAC/R tech
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19. Best Business Practices for Landscapers: Wisdom from Leaders in the Green Industry
One of the best resources for learning a trade is the people who have been doing it for a long time. “Best Business Practices for Landscapers” is full of useful advice from seasoned professionals who want to teach those just starting out how to grow a successful landscaping business. This guide provides proven strategies for overcoming a variety of challenges, from retaining skilled employees to creating valuable business connections.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.3 stars
Best for: Professionals who want to build a successful landscaping business
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20. At Your Best as a Welder
Another book in the “At Your Best” series, “At Your Best as a Welder” provides a comprehensive guide for welders just starting out in the industry. It explains the details of the profession and walks you through each vital career stage, from apprentice to business owner. If you think a career as a welder could be right for you, this book could give you a leg up.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.6 stars
Best for: Aspiring welders who want help growing and succeeding in the industry
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21. At Your Best as a Carpenter
“At Your Best as a Carpenter” is another helpful guide for tradespeople that focuses on career options for carpenters. This book explains everything from how much carpenters can expect to make at different career stages to the resources they need to advance from one stage to the next.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.6 stars
Best for: Tradespeople considering pursuing a career in carpentry
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Construction Books For Kids
It’s never too early to introduce your kids to the world of construction. The following books introduce kids to new construction tools and methods using exciting colors, illustrations and sounds.
22. I Spy With My Little Eye… Construction Site
“I Spy With My Little Eye… Construction Site” uses bright and colorful construction illustrations to keep children entertained while helping them learn to recognize new colors, shapes and objects. This fun children’s book makes a great gift for kids who love the “I Spy” series or have parents working in construction.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.4 stars
Best for: Kids ages 2-5
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23. Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
“Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?” is a fun bedtime story that explains where giant construction machines settle down for the night after a hard day at work. This book’s gentle rhyme scheme can help little ones wind down at bedtime, making it a great addition to any parent’s story collection.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.8 stars
Best for: Babies and toddlers ages 0-3
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24. Discovery: Hammer at the Construction Site!
If your child likes books that make sounds, they’ll love “Discovery: Hammer at the Construction Site!” This colorful board book comes with sound buttons that kids can press to hear which construction noises the machines in the illustrations make. Each illustration is also accompanied by a short, easy-to-read description, making it a useful learning tool for children just reaching reading age.
Amazon Consumer Rating: 4.6 stars
Best for: Children ages 3-5
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25. Construction Site on Christmas Night
“Construction Site on Christmas Night” is a holiday picture book that tells the story of a team of construction vehicles building a new home for fire engines. Once they finish their job, they’re met with fun Christmas surprises that kids will love to discover. This book is especially popular around the holidays but is great for entertaining kids all year round.
Consumer Rating: 4.9 stars
Best for: Children ages 3-5
Purchase on Amazon
If you’re interested in learning more about the construction industry or want additional resources to help level up your career, check out our list of must-read construction articles. Your employer or trainer can also help connect you with industry-specific materials to point you in the right direction.
If you’re looking for something a little more kid-friendly, check out the infographic below for more of the best construction books for kids in 2022.
