Contractor Licensing$RME Services$
Contractor Licensing$RME Services$

Build America Construction Success Field Guide Series

Straight-from-the-Trenches Business and Leadership Advice for Contractors

The Build America series is a collection of compact field guides created by industry veteran Scott Jennings, PE. Each book delivers real-world construction industry guidance to help contractors, engineers, and project owners sharpen their skills, strengthen their businesses, and stay competitive in today’s fast-moving industry.

Buy Volume 1 on Amazon

What Makes the Build America Series Different

The Build America Guides were created from Scott Jennings’ decades of construction experience. He began as a laborer, built a $25 million contracting firm, and today serves as a consultant and expert witness. The lessons in these books come straight from the field. Most are brief and to the point, written in plain language that makes sense for busy professionals.

Designed to be portable and easy to use, each guide can be read on the jobsite, in the office, or on the go. Think of it as your construction startup guide and “Pocket MBA,” written by someone who’s lived the challenges you face.

 

Featured Volume: Vol. 1

Starting a Successful Construction Business: Proven Advice from the Trenches

The first field guide in the series focuses on launching and growing a construction business built for long-term success. Scott Jennings shares candid lessons from his 35 years in the industry, covering topics such as licensing, banking, bonding, contracts, and professional services. 

The first Build America Construction Success Field Guide sets the foundation for your long-term success in the industry. Learn from Scott Jennings’s hard-won experience and get your copy today.

Buy Volume 1 on Amazon

Coming soon to Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo. Wholesale orders available through Ingram Spark.

COMING IN SPRING 2026!

Volume 2 of our Build America Construction Success Field Guide Series

SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING & BIDDING
Winning Contracts While Staying Profitable
By Scott Jennings, P.E.
Professional Contractor-Turned-Construction Consultant Scott Jennings is back, with his signature brand of “from the trenches” insight and advice for anyone responsible for creating real-world construction estimates and project bids. No theory here—it’s all straight from the drawing board, calculator and job site reality, delivered with Scott’s trademark humor and appreciation for the idiosyncrasies and occasional absurdities of the modern construction industry.
In SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING & BIDDING, Scott serves up a hefty portion of insider tips and tricks to help you forecast with confidence, so you can win projects while remaining profitable…which is why you’re in business, right? Stop struggling and second-guessing at estimating time. Pick up this handy pocket guide full of true business gold that’ll have you sleeping soundly, knowing you’ve bid to win while avoiding those ugly surprises that have you waking up in a sweat. Those days are over, when you learn how the bidding process really works, and follow the advice of a guy who’s been there, done that, lost it all and come back to climb to the top. For the price of a couple of coffees, you’ll feel yourself letting go of the anxiety and settling in for a long and profitable career.

Who Should Read These Guides

The Build America Guides are written for:

  • General contractors and subcontractors
  • Project managers and engineers
  • Small to large construction business owners and startups
  • Experienced professionals seeking a construction industry mentor

Whether you’re launching your first company, managing multiple crews and projects, or scaling to larger projects, you’ll find strategies that make your work more successful.

Inside Every Build America Guide

Each book provides:

  • Step-by-step instructions to tackle business challenges
  • Real-world case studies, not just theory
  • Checklists and templates for regular use
  • Strategies for profitability, safety, contracts, and growth
  • Easy-to-digest format designed for busy construction professionals

How These Guides Help Contractors Succeed

Readers who put these guides into practice see real improvements on the job and in the office. Projects run with fewer delays and stronger safety practices. Financial performance improves with better cash flow and more consistent profitability. Contracts become more effective, risks are reduced, and client satisfaction rises.

The Build America series is more than advice. It’s a roadmap for running a successful, sustainable construction business.

What Industry Leaders Are Saying

“Scott has always been my go-to guy for understanding and simplifying the complexities of all things construction. His straightforward, clear, and frank communication style is refreshing and desperately needed in our industry.”

Chris Henry, Former COO, HCSS

“Scott keeps it real. If you’re trying to start or grow a construction business, his books are full of the kind of advice you wish someone had given you from the start.”

Cheriese & Chad Flores, Owners, CKF Industrial Contractors

FAQs About the Build America Series

How is the Build America series different from other construction books?

Most construction business books are written from an academic or purely financial perspective. The Build America Guides are written by a contractor who has been in the trenches. They are short, portable, and filled with practical lessons that can be applied right away.

Do I need to read the guides in order?

No. Each volume in the Build America series stands on its own and can be read independently. However, starting with Volume 1: Starting a Successful Construction Business is recommended if you are launching or reorganizing a construction business.

Will more volumes be added to the Build America series?

Yes. The series is designed to cover every stage of running a construction business. Additional volumes will expand into areas such as estimating, project management, contracts, legal, and leadership.

Where can I purchase the Build America Guides?

Volume 1 is available now on Amazon, with more outlets like Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo coming soon. Wholesale copies can be ordered through Ingram Spark.