Plan Reading and Material Takeoff: Builder's Essentials: 31 (RSMeans)

Fairly basic stuff once you've done it, but can be overwhelming for the first-timer. This book does an excellent job at going through each phase of construction in concise detail and provides formulas for calculating takeoffs in manageable chunks.

Good description of construction process. The example drawings are great, but when they include full drawings they are too small to read. However the book is not meant to explain full drawings for every note.

For those in the trade, this book is amazing. It really provides a guideline for estimating and managing a construction project - just a fantastic refresher of the various phases of construction as well. I truly believe that any serious builder would find this material invaluable.

This is a great general reference book and explains well. Pics are small but it is a book, not 24x36 blue prints. Only complaint is from shipping as it was not protected and the box was damaged and cover/3 pages torn.

The book covers almost all necessary data, I am still reading, but in my opinion the book is an excellent Building Construction Estimation and Plan Reading Tool.I would highly recommend this to Contractors or Architectural Students for a more thourough understanding of what Building Contractors look for and need by-way of information and estimates.