11 Construction Management Books Contractors Love

Books that’ll help you avoid those common construction management pitfalls

Regardless of whether you’re an industry newbie or a veteran — the field of construction management is hard.

Contractors looking to succeed in managing their own business need to understand the natural ups and downs of the industry. To be effective, they need to know how to work around them.

Simply knowing the fundamentals of construction project management is not enough. Contractors need to understand how to bid and estimate target profit, choose the right projects, manage crews and offices, and follow local laws and building regulations.

It can be a lot to juggle all at once.

While experience may still be the best teacher, learning key construction management strategies can go a long way toward the road to success. This is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best-selling construction management books to help get you on your way.

A great read for both general and specialty contractors, The Construction MBA Practical Approaches to Construction Contracting covers all the processes contractors and PMs need to keep on top of to remain profitable.

It also provides a wide variety of tips and strategies, as well as case studies, to help PMs identify and react to critical trends, adopt better processes for their company and boost all-around efficiency.

And if that wasn’t enough, the book also takes lessons gleaned from eight legendary management books and applies them to the field of construction — saving you some time and extra reading.

Written by the “turnaround” expert, Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer, this book calls on his 45 years of industry experience and construction-specific consulting. The book also shares valuable insights from his team to create the ideal book for construction managers and CFOs looking to take better control of their businesses.

“Managing the Profitable Construction Business” delivers essential strategies for running a financially sound construction company. It provides frameworks for cash flow management, risk assessment and growth planning. It also emphasizes survival tactics for economic downturns.

The book covers practical strategies for construction bidding, project management best practices and financial controls that help contractors maintain profitability throughout market cycles. Its focus on both success and survival strategies makes it particularly valuable for contractors seeking to build resilient businesses.

This book is probably the closest you can get to having a hands-on consultant without having to hire one.

Want a rundown on all the factors that make a construction business successful? Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide, Revisited offers readers a full overview of the basics construction business owners need.

It walks readers through the thought process of how to keep their companies afloat — and equally as important, profitable.

The book provides proven formulas and step-by-step instructions on how to write good contracts, manage crews, collect on your work and more.

It also includes free downloads of blank forms and checklists you can use to help you follow the book’s instructions!

This book provides an easy-to-follow guide for contractors on how to get their business organized. This includes setting up the most efficient processes and outlining short- and long-term goals to building and training the best management teams.

Written by one of the country’s leading construction business building experts, George Hedley, the book’s tried and true strategies are ideal for contractors looking to improve profit and grow their businesses.

The book also steps you through the process of drafting your very own BIZ-Builder Blueprint Action Plan, which can help you lay out the foundation for what you want your company to achieve.

As a former builder turned owner, author David Gerstel provides hard-won insight into the day-to-day challenges most contractors face. He also helps break down the business side of construction like bidding, labor costs, tracking expenses and more.

The book gives detailed coverage of financial management, estimating, and project planning. It offers real-world solutions for common pitfalls like cost overruns and scheduling delays.

The “For Pros, by Pros” approach provides battle-tested strategies for everything from crew management to client relationships. The approach makes it valuable for contractors looking to strengthen their business fundamentals and improve profitability.

“Building a Successful Construction Company” is the roadmap many contractors wish they had when starting their careers.  Author Paul takes readers on a deep dive as to why so many construction businesses fail and how it can be prevented.

This practical guide tackles the critical aspects of running a profitable construction business, including:

• Bidding strategies
• Financial management
• Hiring practices
• Operational systems.

It stands out by addressing real challenges like cash flow management, risk mitigation, and scaling operations sustainably.

For new construction company owners and established contractors looking to improve their business operations, this guide provides actionable strategies backed by industry experience.

“Construction Leadership Success” zeros in on the often-overlooked backbone of construction projects – the foreman. This practical guide tackles the unique challenges faced by construction foremen who must bridge the gap between boots-on-the-ground operations and project management while keeping safety, efficiency and profitability in perfect balance.

The book addresses everything from crew management and safety protocols to productivity tracking and quality control. It breaks down complex leadership concepts into actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately on the job site.

Rather than offering vague management theory, it provides specific tools and techniques that help foremen navigate daily challenges like coordinating multiple trades, maintaining schedule commitments and building high-performing teams.

“Construction Leadership Success” is for any foreman looking to step up their game or any contractor wanting to develop stronger field leadership. This book provides a clear roadmap to excellence while keeping crews safe and projects profitable.

Looking to level up your contracting business beyond technical skills? This book flips the script on the basics of construction management. It focuses on what many contractors overlook — the human side of the company.

Through practical examples and actionable strategies, “Beyond the Hammer” shows how building strong teams and fostering a positive company culture is crucial to success.

Whether you’re managing a small crew or running a large operation, you’ll learn how modern leadership principles can help you attract better talent, reduce turnover and deliver higher-quality work to your clients.

The author’s background in both construction and organizational psychology brings a fresh perspective that makes this an essential read for any contractor looking to scale their business sustainably.

“Elevating Construction Superintendents” bridges the gap between managing tasks and leading people in the construction industry. This practical guide unpacks the core principles that separate average superintendents from exceptional ones.

The book delivers real-world strategies for handling daily challenges such as coordinating multiple trades, maintaining project timelines and building trust with both crews and clients.

What sets this resource apart is its focus on the unique dynamics of construction leadership. It looks at things like managing diverse teams under tight deadlines and balancing safety requirements with productivity goals.

For anyone in construction supervision looking to elevate their leadership skills beyond just checking boxes and putting out fires, this book is a must-read. It provides the roadmap to becoming the kind of leader that both projects and people need.

“Well Built” peels back the curtain on what sets elite construction contractors apart from the rest of the industry. It reveals the strategic mindset and systematic approaches that enable top performers to deliver exceptional results and healthy profit margins.

The book uses real-world examples of how the industry’s most successful contractors moved beyond the traditional “lowest bid wins” mentality. By doing this, readers can create genuine value for their clients.

What makes “Well Built” particularly valuable is its practical breakdown of how elite contractors build sustainable businesses that thrive. Rather than chasing every available job, contractors can develop systems for selecting the right construction jobs, building strong client relationships and maintaining quality standards that justify pricing.

For any contractor tired of competing solely on price and looking to join the ranks of the industry’s top performers, this book provides a detailed roadmap for transformation.

Feel like we’ve missed something? Let us know if there are any books on construction management you think should be added to the list!

The “Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book” is your field-ready companion for those moments when you need quick, reliable answers to common project management challenges.

What makes this book particularly valuable is how it breaks down complex project management concepts into digestible, actionable items. These are to-dos that you can implement immediately on the job site. It covers critical topics like:

• contract administration
• time management
• cost control
• quality assurance

The book’s organized structure makes it easy to find specific information during those crucial moments when you need to make decisions quickly.

“Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book” is for both seasoned project managers looking to refine their approach and newcomers seeking to build a solid foundation. Its concise format doesn’t sacrifice depth. Instead, it distills years of industry experience into clear, practical guidance that can be applied to real-world situations.

Feel like we’ve missed something? Let us know if there are any books on construction management you think should be added to the list!