Well Built: How the Top 2% of Construction Contractors Create Superior Value, Profits, and Excellence

by Chad Prinkey

The construction industry faces major headwinds—from fluctuating markets and attracting enough talent to unreasonably tight margins, and so much more. Yet some elite contractors consistently achieve double or triple the profits through these challenges.

What's the key to their success?

After advising hundreds of contractors for fifteen years, author Chad Prinkey knows it comes down to having the right systems and culture in place across your business. In his book Well Built, Prinkey lays out the roadmap for contractors to make meaningful upgrades in how they operate, strategize, manage teams, win new business, and deliver for customers. You'll learn the step-by-step process contractors can use to join the top 2% and gain durable competitive advantages that increase profits for the long haul.

Real transformation doesn't happen overnight—but with Prinkey's straightforward methodology, construction executives finally have a clear path to reach the top tier of industry performers.

Genres: Self Help, Construction, Nonfiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The construction industry is one of the most important in the world, since it is responsible for generating infrastructure, buildings and homes, as well as other types of facilities for citizen well-being. As author Prinkey states, we know it comes down to having the right systems and culture in place across your business. In his book, Prinkey lays out the roadmap for contractors to make meaningful upgrades in how they operate, strategize, manage teams, win new business, and deliver for customers.
I think this book is very useful for all those who work in the construction industry, and the author's approach is very complete and concise. Readers will certainly enjoy it and it will be very useful to them.

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chad Prinkey’s "Well Built" aims to uncover the secrets of success among elite construction contractors, promising insights into how these top performers achieve superior value, profitability, and operational excellence. The book delves into various aspects of business management within the construction industry, offering strategies and anecdotes purportedly gleaned from the industry's best.

Prinkey’s writing style is straightforward and practical, making the book accessible for those involved or interested in the construction business. He outlines key principles and practices that supposedly differentiate the top 2% of contractors from their peers, such as project management techniques, client relationship strategies, and financial management tips.

However, the book may leave some readers indifferent due to its niche focus within the construction sector. While the author’s expertise is evident, the insights provided might not resonate equally with readers outside the industry or those seeking broader business management advice.

The organizational structure of "Well Built" is logical, with each chapter focusing on a specific aspect of contractor excellence. This approach facilitates easy navigation for readers looking to explore particular topics relevant to their professional interests or challenges.

Critically, the book may lack sufficient depth in certain areas, offering more of a surface-level overview rather than in-depth analysis or groundbreaking revelations. Readers expecting revolutionary strategies or innovative approaches to business may find themselves wanting more substance and originality.

Overall, "Well Built" by Chad Prinkey serves as a competent resource for construction professionals aiming to refine their operational efficiency and client satisfaction. While it may not redefine the genre of business management literature, it provides a practical toolkit for those seeking incremental improvements within the construction contracting field.

[Rating: 2.5/5 stars]

This rating reflects the book’s utility for its intended audience while acknowledging its potential limitations in broad appeal and depth of insights.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navigating Construction Challenges with Expert Insights...

In "Well Built: How the Top 2% of Construction Contractors Create Superior Value, Profits, and Excellence," Chad Prinkey delivers a masterclass on how elite contractors thrive amidst the construction industry's challenges. With over fifteen years of advising experience, Prinkey distills his knowledge into a practical guide for contractors seeking to elevate their operations and profitability.

Prinkey attributes the success of top contractors to robust systems and a strong company culture. His book provides a comprehensive roadmap for making strategic improvements in operations, team management, business acquisition, and customer delivery. The step-by-step process outlined is designed to help contractors achieve lasting competitive advantages and significantly boost profits.

"Well Built" is not just a theoretical guide; it offers actionable insights that can drive real transformation. Prinkey’s clear and direct methodology makes this book an essential read for construction executives aiming to be among the industry's top performers. Highly recommended for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of the construction business and achieve long-term success.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound advice for achieving success from a Pro!

Author Chad Prinkey is the founder of Well Built Construction Consulting and shares the principles of his successful advice is this valuable business book. He describes himself as being trained as a performer and entertainer: those qualities make his delivery of advice to businessmen even more accessible!

As a consultant to construction firms, Prinkey provides keys to success in the areas of ‘operate, strategize, manage teams, win new business, and deliver for customers’ and his intended audience is general and specialty contractors, specifically executives and rising leaders within those firms. Apropos of the Construction industry, he starts with Installing the Foundation (!) and builds from there a blueprint for excellence, coaching leaders to succeed in a competitive business. Yet while the information is focused on contractors in the construction industry, Prinkey’s model is equally appropriate for success in all fields of endeavor!

[Janier Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Prinkey, with his experience in the construction industry, manages to propose through this book, the importance of creating differentiated value in all his clients. This book is aimed at all those contractors in the construction industry who want to take their career to another level and be part of the top competitors of contracts. I believe this piece is very interesting because Prinkey manages to emphasize in his speech that innovation and customer service are the areas that must be worked on to differentiate themselves in the market. Likewise, the author explains how to optimize resources in business and how to perform assertively. Prinkey is very detailed and organized with the thread of his book and that makes the reading not only entertaining, but also very inspiring. Looking for information and endless ideas to make an impact in the construction industry? This book is full of clear and compelling tools! I highly recommend it.

[L Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

a book beyond construction

I highly recommend to read this book. Even if you don’t belong to the industry of construction, like me, you’ll find some valuable information that would help you develop as a leader in any industry.

I think it’s a honor to learn from such an important and influential person for the constructing world. Through the book, you can see his expertise, his experience and his main learnings from his personal life and work. He aims for excellence and he shows that in every chapter.

I think, in every industry you have to be aware of being a good employer, in prioritizing your client and what he wants, ensuring a good communication among all the parts and doing your best to thrive to excellence.

So if you’re doubting of reading this book, this is your signal to do it.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mysteries in the foundations of buildings

I have always found it incredible and totally impressive to know that when we walk in cities, we are really passing through thousands of stories. The landscape we observe, mostly buildings, are the expression of unique eras, ways of making art and manifestation of the individual. One of the obligations of architects is to create spaces in which their visitors and those who interact in one way or another with their works feel immersed in new stories, can extract themselves from the present to enter a different artistic world that makes the exercise of everyday life a unique and fascinating experience. This book reveals the mysteries hidden in the foundations of buildings! Reading this book opens the mind, invites to dream and create new things, to see life and our surroundings in a different way! 

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The construction industry is cutthroat, and it can be difficult to make a profit if you own or operate a construction company. However, this author knows how to do it, and now, he’s sharing the secrets that have allowed him to be successful in this ultra-competitive niche.

Contractors who want to make a profit or increase their business should read this book. There are tips for attracting new customers, getting the most out of your employees, and increasing your brand awareness. Since you must do all of these things to get ahead in construction, this guidebook should be regarded as vital. Anyone who wants to make an impact in this industry and propel your company to the next level will want to spend some time at the feet of this particular learning tree.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Built by Chad Prinkey is a must-read business success guidebook for anyone in the building and contractor industry. Despite the many challenges facing the construction industry, Prinkey points out that it is still possible to make excellent profits in this business. Based on his experience as a consultant advising contractors for 15 years, Prinkey explains the strategies that need to be implemented to join the top 2% of businesses in this industry making real profits. The book gives clear and actionable advice. While it may not be possible to implement these changes overnight, sticking to the game plan outlined by Prinkey will, in the long-term, be very helpful to anyone in the building industry.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actions and processes that drive results, such as leading indicators, should be focused on in place of lagging indicators like profit margins, as stressed by the author. The approach consists of data-driven decision-making, operating purely with a concentration on customer satisfaction as well as a tight project management process enhancing subjects like efficient control over one's finances and clear goal setting; hence, budgeting is important. Employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction with their safety intact would constitute some of the ingredients for success. The primary goal of this book is to offer actionable suggestions so that construction contractors can get higher profits and less loss in the business. It is easy to understand and very straight to the point.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new design bible

This book taught me and showed me a whole new perspective on what I thought design was all about: sustainable and functional spaces.
Personally, design is something that I am very passionate about and I had never found a book of this type that would engage me and teach me so many things.
The book offers a comprehensive view of how architecture can transform the quality of life of people and contribute positively to the environment.
From now on, whenever I design, I will always apply knowledge from this book, always thinking about how to be pleasant, practical and respectful of the environment. The book is full of inspiration, creation, fresh ideas and a lot of learning. I recommend it to all design lovers.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found the whole subject of construction and the industry in general very interesting, and in this book, I found very valuable information about the difficulties that the industry is facing today, such as the market and the lack of qualified personnel. The author is a consultant who has the keys to overcome these problems and make the most of them to have a profitable and millionaire business. In this book, the author shows a guide for contractors to improve the way they operate, design their strategies and manage their teams, in order to arrive with the expected product on time and with satisfied customers. It is a book that will help you to be competitive in a market that has a lot of affluence.

[Saya Jacaranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have mad respect for people that dedicate their life to this.

Construction was never in my closer circle of interests. But I have to say in the later years I have become more and more aware of the whole world behind it. Reading this book gave me a lot more clarity on what actually hides behind this term. Having a company and running a business in this area is definitely not for the soft ones. I actually have mad respect for people that dedicate their life to this. It’s quite challenging. But this book does a great job at giving tips on how to improve your business and how to go about the changes step by step. I can’t imagine a better guide towards success in this area. I would definitely recommend this guide to anyone in the construction business.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read
"Well-built" is a challenging read because it delves into the industry of construction. Chad Prinkey has penned this book to guide constructors to make the most in their jobs. Thanks to his expertise in the field, he can teach people who are in this business.
Along the pages, readers will learn how to build a team, and how to make the strategies work inside and outside the office. Chad explains important points to make the construction business thrive, to deal with customers or work with numbers.
It's well-written and concise but with clear and complete ideas that teach the basics of the construction industry. For sure, people who are in the business will improve it and make it great. In short, I recommend it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for construction contractors looking to get more profits and improve their performance. The book shares a lot about this world and all the challenges, but gives very practical steps to surf that and improve business operations.
It is an easy to follow guide packed with tips and it will help take off in the construction world. One of the things that caught my attention was how easy to implement all the tips are and that's easy to see tangible results in a short time.
Overall, a great source of information for all constructors because the author makes complex concepts simple to understand and then apply.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

The truth is that I usually read a lot about a wide variety of topics and I am not indifferent to the subject of construction.
This book shows a very complex time for the construction sector, but it also shows a series of masterful ways out and a series of tools to grow in it from many perspectives. I feel that it is very nice to see a real concern for this sector and that there are timely outlets for growth, architecture and works of good hand and good entrepreneurs, is what leads to these works of art that we find in the cities.
I will read more of this sector, because the truth is that this work has opened my curiosity a lot.

[Caro Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and useful

I think this book would be an incredible help to all those aspiring to get into the construction business and actually make a profit with it. The author of this book, Chad Prinkey gives the reader all the information and steps he took in order to be successful.
He presents his experience and the way to reach your goals, especially if you own your own budines. I did learn a lot from this read as it informed me of a world I didn’t know much about.
The book consists of 24 chapters, filled with tips and lessons provided by the author in his own experience that will lead to success. I highly recommend this awesome book to all.

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Well Built" by Chad Prinkey is an outstanding guide for construction professionals aiming to elevate their business to the next level. Prinkey masterfully blends industry insights with practical strategies, offering a clear roadmap to creating exceptional value, profitability, and excellence. The book is rich with real-world examples and actionable advice, making it an invaluable resource for both seasoned contractors and those new to the field. Prinkey’s deep understanding of the industry shines through, providing readers with the tools and mindset needed to join the top 2% of construction contractors. A must-read for anyone serious about achieving long-term success in construction.

[Nicole Never Reads Too Much · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book and I am so glad I did! As an HR person who's newer to the construction industry, this book gave me a fresh perspective and some great questions to ask. The information was super insightful and taught me a lot about the industry. Everything was clear and concise, so even if you don't speak construction jargon, you can still get a ton out of this book! I've already recommended it to others on my team as we grow and scale our business. Honestly, it's more of a 4.5 than a 4. Highly recommend!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide

This is an excellent book. It's no nonsense, to the point, factual, and has solid steps to implement to run your business more efficiently. It's written by a consultant who helps construction companies and contractors run a cleaner, more efficient, and more profitable business. I really liked the style here; the author gets right to the point with different ways to improve your business. The chapters are well organized and easy to follow. The advice given is solid and easy to implement and make happen. Overall it's a great resource for business owners in the construction industry, well worth a read. This is a good book, I would recommend it!

[Mia C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read is a must have for anyone working for the construction industry. The insights on achieving excellence and profitability are totally practical and inspiring. His experience advising contractors can be seen in every page, providing a clear roadmap to success.
I found the strategies on team management and customer delivery particularly useful. This book is a must-read for any contractor aiming to join the industry’s elite. The author makes some difficult ideas less complicated to understand. Highly recommended for construction professionals seeking to elevate their business.

[Morgan Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. There is a whole lot that goes into developing and maintaining a top tier construction business!

This book does a thorough job of explaining the ins, outs, and potential pitfalls that go into developing and maintaining this type of venture.

It doesn't provide a concise formula of how to get from a to b when trying to get ones business from where it begins to its ideal potential, but that makes sense since there is so much to consider and every owner needs to tailor their company to its individual needs while taking the current market into account.

[Hunter Radecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Audiobook]
Not memorable.

It’s like if a strategy consultant wrote a book on construction. That’s not to say it’s bad, in fact it’s good, but it drowns in the present day’s swath of self help and up-cycled FBGM attitude. Prinkey draws on some of the most well known strategic books to grace the 20th century, highlighting the importance of clarity and organization to a company’s success. This book is yet another reminder to stay sharp and that the values important to you seep into your business whether you are conscious of that osmosis or not.

[Andrew M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. I will be getting a hardcopy to dive in more deeply and considering sending team members to the WBCC training conferences. Only book on business management I've ever read that was dedicated to the construction industry. The author is well aware of our pain points.

[Catherine Bruzdzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for new leaders

A great book for all managers and leadership especially in the constantly changing world. Definitely a great read for those in management or those recently promoted to an executive level

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is specifically geared towards people in the construction industry. The author has a consultancy company that is geared towards helping construction companies. And while the advice in this book definitely leans toward construction specific circumstances, I do think it is also general enough to be helpful to businesses in other industries as well.

I appreciated the author's straightforward writing and advice, which was practical and useful. As someone who worked with contractors many years, you can tell the author is well experienced in dealing with that industry by the use of his straightforward talk rather than consultant speak.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jazzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Information

I didn’t read it but my cousin did and he really liked it. He said there was helpful information and great advice

[Carlos mutua · Rating 5 out of 5]

add value

The first book that I am reading by chad, I like the way he elaborate how contractors built value with minimal expenses.

[Kenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

nead to read this a few more times.

[Margaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, a huge thank you to the author, Chad Prinkey, the publisher, Advantage Books, and Goodreads for the privilege of winning Well Built: How the Top 2% of Construction Contractors Create Superior Value, Profits, and Excellence in a giveaway.

Starting off my review with the disclaimer of *not* being in the construction or architecture business, I thought this was an entertaining read beyond the information provided. But if you're in the construction business, you’ve got to check out "Well Built," because this book is full of all kinds of gold for anyone wanting to up their game and join the top tier of contractors.

Prinkey’s got tons of experience, and obviously spends a lot of time trying to create value for clients. He breaks things down so clearly that even if you’re new to the industry, you’ll be able to put all the pieces together. The book is full of practical tips on project management, team building, and client relations, with loads of real-life examples and case studies.

The best part? It’s no-nonsense and straight to the point. Prinkey’s style is easy to follow, and his tips are super actionable. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for years, this book will give you clear and practical tools to make your business more efficient and profitable. Highly recommended for anyone in the field, in business, or looking to improve their skills in either.

**Read via digital copy thanks to Goodreads giveaway**