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I'm currently a CM student, I'm assuming you came from a different education background.

The textbook we use in my building construction class is Building Construction 3rd Edition and I find it to be pretty comprehensive. It explains how buildings go up, everything from foundations to finishes. Its around 1000 pages, 37 chapters, has pretty good diagrams, and lots of pictures.

The professor for my class cherry picked 10 or 12 chapters that we study over 15 weeks. Its a great book if your looking to learn about some of the technical aspects of construction, particularly wood, concrete, steel, masonry, etc. Primarily the structural stuff.

For PM topics we use Construction Project Management 4th Edition, which is great if you don't have knowledge of how project development and delivery works. It goes into bidding/procurement, some estimating, planning/scheduling, things along those lines.

Unfortunately I'm early in the curriculum and we've only really touched on this sort of thing, so I can't comment on the quality. I'm sure you can't learn everything about project management all from one book, but it seems pretty detailed and at the very least a good place to start. That one is 350 pages and almost all text, it can be pretty dry.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Awesome!! I'd say going to school for it is a great start!

I'd make sure to get involved with any construction specific student orgs. Alot of them are affiliated with professional orgs like the AGC, ABC and NAHB. On top of that, any more experience or internships you can get will do you well!

Here's a $15 textbook from Amazon. It's a great read, not your typical dry learning. Construction Management JumpStart: The Best First Step Toward a Career in Construction Management https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470609990/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tU5MAb2GW7Z3F

Also try to kinda get an idea of what sector you'd want to lean towards. Some schools make you specialize in home building, commercial, or heavy civil.

Can't recommend enough "Francis D.K. Ching - A Visual Dictionary of Architecture : 2nd Edition"

It's an exceptional book that covers a wide variety of very well illustrated, no-nonsense, single sentence descriptions of everything you could think of when it comes to construction & even includes some slang use, I have a searchable eBook copy if anyone's interested (PM me for a Google Drive link) but I would highly recommend supporting the author and purchasing a paperback copy for your own use.

Edit: Here's an example image of a page that specifically mentions fly rafters: https://i.imgur.com/D6le772.png

Every page of the book contains illustrations like this!

Why buildings stand up

And it's inevitable sequel:

Why buildings fall down

Probably the best primers on the topic. It will give you enough of a background to have an intelligent discussion with most engineers. You still won't be able to do the math, but you should be able to follow it.

Also, consider subscribing to /r/engineering. Just having it on your front page and perusing the comments when something is interesting will help build your vocabulary over time.

Are you hoping to become a project manager at some point? If you want books that explain more about construction project management there are plenty. I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.ca/Construction-Management-JumpStart-Toward-Career/dp/0470609990/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369525360&sr=1-1&keywords=construction+management

It's a really easy read and doesn't get boring and if you are working with a construction management company it will be VERY applicable. You might even surprise a few people at work.

read books. You can usually find some good ones at your local libary, and if they don't have some they should be able to help you find some from other libraries you can get on loan. Or, buy them from amazon. I like Fundamentals of Building Construction

get some magazines like This Old House or Family Handyman, or you can get trade specific ones from http://www.freeconstructionmagazines.com/

finally, watch youtube videos

Back when I was in school, we used this one - Residential Framing. It is a pretty good reference with lots of diagrams and tables.

I still have mine and keep it in the office for a reference book.

The best temporary work light EVER!!

We used just one to light an entire 2,000 sq ft commercial retail site.

https://www.amazon.com/Temporary-Daylight-Construction-Portable-Lighting/dp/B07N2JC27H/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=150W+LED+Temporary+Work+Light&qid=1571784070&sr=8-3

While I haven't taken nicets, as they aren't accepted in several places. I have taken a few icc's, and twice certified aci. If you still need help, just pm me.

Ninja edit: I strong suggest this for study material Geotechnical Testing, Observation, and Documentation https://www.amazon.com/dp/0784409498/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8I0yzb0AWF9KK

Check with your local technical college/school. Many of them will offer an estimating course for much cheaper than a community college. You could also check your local library for textbooks or how-to books.

This is the book we used in school. It's heavy on the old-school method of estimating and takeoffs, and helps you build your own spreadsheets for calculating. It's a good option if you don't have a take-off software package.

http://www.amazon.com/Construction-Estimating-Using-Excel-2nd/dp/0138007195/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426618875&sr=1-1&keywords=construction+estimating+using+excel

I'm not big on construction books, and it seems that everybody has a slightly different way of doing everything, but the closest-to-reality book I've found is "Managing Residential Construction" by Derek Graham (Amazon Link)

PS nice username! In general, I concur

I found Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day and the author's follow up The Construction MBA: Practical Approaches to Construction Contracting to be good reads.

I would check them out still, you may find something applicable, although that will be issue dependent.

Here is the text book; there should be pictures of the table on contents. Hopefully this is helpful even though it is more residential, terms/materials should be of use.

JLC has a Field Guide online that I just started reading.

$9.99 for a years subscription to get access to it.

http://www.jlconline.com/how-to/

There is also: https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Electrical-Equipment-Buildings-Grondzik/dp/0470195657

I have a PDF copy if you like.

You may feel dumb walking around with it, but it helps with the foundations and verbiage you’ll see everyday, Construction Management JumpStart 2nd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470609990/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-jPPDbW33AFFR

I don't think you will find a single book that covers both of those adequately.

FRAMING REFERENCE GUIDES:

Complete Book of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction (For Pros By Pros


LOAD CALCULATIONS:

Carpenter's Calculations Manual

https://www.amazon.com/Well-Built-House-James-Locke/dp/0395629519

Never guess again: https://www.amazon.com/Muff-Products-Landing-Measuring-Measure/dp/B01NASTL52

i only go with muff

Go Kinco: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KXR0C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A couple resources I am already aware of: constructionknowledge.net
This book: http://www.amazon.com/Construction-Management-JumpStart-Toward-Career/dp/0470609990/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2DX3TEPKWKM&coliid=I22448IN2GEL8P... I haven't read it but I saw someone suggest it before.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0442273118/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

I work in Minnesota/North Dakota. No doubt some of the shittiest weather in the country. Kinco have been the best gloves I've ever had. I buy 2 pairs every winter

I've built about 10 homes.

Everyone has already given you the best advice which is to hire a gc to manage the project. Even if you hire a GC it would be a good idea to understand the process.

The book I always recommend is How to Design and Build Your Own Home by DiDonno and Sperling

General advice in random order.

• Most important. Hire an architect to draw up blue-prints. a $1000 change fee to plans may feel expensive, but it's cheaper than $10K during construction.
  
• Google and Youtube are not reliable sources of knowledge, there's too much variation in construction codes and methodology region to region. Go ahead and research, but don't think you know more than the trades.
  
• If you're interviewing trades and something about them doesn't feel kosher, don't hire them. Ask to see samples of their work. Get bids up front. Check the bids for accuracy. Get multiple bids. Ask them about their pricing.. (i.e. tile guy charges $4 sq. ft. for 12x12 porcelain plus $1 extra for a pattern)
  
• Find and review your city/county building codes
  
• Don't upgrade everything. Pick your battles. Before you start think of the most important room in the house for you. That's the only place to splurge. Everywhere else should be about solid but affordable choices.
  
• Create a project plan and budget. The budget comes directily from the blue prints, everything is priced by size (sq. ft., linear feat, etc.). The plan comes from the budget. Manage everything off of it. Plan should include lead times for ordering materials. A good trade will get annoyed if they show up and what they need isn't there. What they provide and what you provide should be written down in the bid.
  
• Trades clean up after themselves. Dirty worksites are dangerous and make it difficult to get work done.
  
• Even if a trades doesn't look it, or act it, they know more than you about their job. Treat them as a partner. Admit when you don't know and ask questions.
  
• When you mis-schedule something, be prepared to have the completion date slip a month as trades go to other jobs.
  
• Constructions sites are magnets for thieves. If you leave things unlocked then they will walk off. Thieves will steal roof shingles, appliances, tile.
  
  
  I don't live in any of the houses I built, so I'm uncomfortable posting pictures. I'll pm you a picture of the house I built for myself.