This place is great and the world needs specialty bookshops. If you're building something, or interested in architecture, or hiring a contractor, or are a contractor, or browsing while waiting for a table at Bette's, this place is great. Go there and buy soomething. They need you, and you need them. Browsing in a bookstore is one of life's pleasures; the serendipity factor doubles in a specialty bookstore like this; internet shopping just doesn't cut it for some things. Go there now. Bring money. Spend it. Then walk over to Peets and sit down and read your new book. Hurry. read more

Love it, read it, buy it! This store has such unusual books of great quality... do go in. And, do buy it... I love to support the independent book people. Otherwise, we will be back to all wearing the same Costco underwear?! From Architecture, Green Construction, to Outrageous Yachts. read more

I get books from here every once in a while and have never been disappointed with what i have got. Every book I have gotten here I have loved, so much so I have told others about Builders. They also have lots of cards for all occasions, and cool little tools and useful knickknacks. I have always had good experiences with the friendly employees here too. I highly recommend this place and I will definitely be back. read more

I always stop in to this place when I'm around 4th street. It really inspires me to create things. My husband, who is really into architecture, introduced me to this store. He likes all the books they have with great pictures of modern buildings. They have tons of books and magazines, all geared towards creativity and making things more beautiful. I also love the clean and cozy feel of the place. read more

i have gotten some pretty good books from here over the years. by far the most favourite i got recently. A Man Called Ove. what a great book. so glad that they sold it and well worth the money. i will certainly be back many more times in the future for more books. read more

Dateline 10-11-2008 NEWSFLASH In a scene reminiscent of the '80's movie scanners- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081455/ a Pacifica man's head exploded in the Builder Booksource today. He appeared to be acting normal when he first entered but witnesses say he appeared more agitated as he perused each section. He was first seen muttering to himself "Wow, this is cool" when he was in the local architecture section and the was heard yelling "OMFG" out loud when he entered the green building section. Witnesses say he started hyperventilating when he was reading the books on Carpentry and construction business but the final event happened when he entered the code book section in the back. He picked up the 2007 UBC code book and started shaking and that's when the explosion happened. The proprieter was quoted as saying "Who will want to buy all these books covered in gray matter?" Seriously this is one of the greatest business models that I've ever seen in my life. For someone like me this is the perfect bookstore with a great selection of useful titles. If you sign up for their book club (Just give your name and zip code, no card necessary) you get a $25 discount with every $250 worth of books that you buy, A great deal for someone like myself that needs a new 2007 set of UBC code books. I can sell my 2001 set on eBay to mitigate the cost but still these things are expensive. Necessary but still very expensive. read more

I work with architects and I never used to understand what they were talking about. Frustrated, I went to Builders Booksource and purchased, at their recommendation, a book titled Building Construction Illustrated by Francis Ching. I already liked the book because it sounds like Cook Illustrated. Now I can converse with architects and not sound stupid. The pleasure I get when they look shocked that this girl can talk construction. Roar. read more

Wow. Jaw drops to the floor as I enter, what an amazing store. My wife thought she'd be bored but fell in love with it too. Great books on architecture, design, planning, environments, etc. One of those themed bookstores that you could still find yourself spending an hour in if you enjoyed the theme at all. A great place to find technical, textbook-like works as well as coffee table style photography books. read more

As a graduate architecture student I have to disagree with the other reviewers about the "huge" selection of architecture books. They have design and architecture books but they are mostly aimed at the casual architecture fan. They have some textbooks too. I should have known what this place was from the photos and I felt it as soon as I walked in. This is understandable given the bougie suburban street it's located on. Other than that, the bookstore is clean and decently organized. If you are looking for a specific book about architecture I would call ahead before visiting. For serious architecture enthusiasts and those in the field, William Stout is still the place to go. read more

Bookstores, like book reviews, are not really selling leaves of paper bound into a codex; nor are they merely selling information in written or graphic form. They're selling you an idea about yourself. If you read the NY Times Book Review, the subtext proposes a stay in a large rambling house, its roof lined with dormers overlooking a lake during the summer weeks in upstate New York. A large farm table in the bright airy kitchen leisurely awaits you to take your coffee before a mid-morning walk in the woods, book in hand. Where after lunch on the porch you can sit in your Adirondack made of reclaimed cedar and take a nap with that Latest Novel open on your lap. Where you'll bring that Latest Biography with you on a canoe paddle across the lake. After a homecooked meal with friends and local wine, the Latest Political Tract awaits you on the Shaker nightstand by your bed. Or perhaps in a spartan yoga retreat in southern Thailand, that Latest History is splayed out in the hammock while you leave for a snorkeling break. If you're not reading Harry Potter between taking in sights from the Trans-Siberian, perhaps you're spending a rainy afternoon at Cafe de Flores in the Left Bank, reading the latest translation of Proust. The books, we are told, are important, but not always more so than the idea of the situations in which we hope to read them. Builders Booksource is not terribly different, for instead of the time and special place in which to enjoy your books, you're being sold the idea that your home will and must be an expression of who you are. A good place to be if that is your mission, for where else can you find books on small homes (the new virtue!), Japanese baths, post-modernism in architecture, tree houses, good UI design, living off the grid, David Orr, and container gardens? There is indeed something aspirational about the books found here if your current living situation is a small apartment with a view of the parking lot. Perhaps that's all the more reason to come in and plan the home and garden where one day you'll enjoy *your* stack of summer reading. Likes: Child-friendly section, perusing-friendly chairs, in-store events Dislikes: The high price of Bay Area real estate. read more

I was in the store for at least 15 minutes with not one of the three employees present asking me if I needed any help. As soon as I walked in, I looked to the counter to nod or say hello to the employees (which I do everywhere). There were 2 men there, and both of them were certainly not occupied. They both made eye contact with me and quickly looked the other way. I easily made 3 loops around the store, contemplating 2-3 purchases as xmas gifts. Not one person asked me if I needed anything. One woman walked out of the back room and barely said hello. I hate to pull the race card, because I believe that growing up in such a wonderful and diverse place as the Bay Area, this hasn't really been in issue. But the employees were WAY attentive to every other guest who walked in that door, EXCEPT for myself and another Asian woman who walked in. Everyone else got a way nice "HAVE A NICE NIGHT / Happy Holidays / Stay Dry out there!" farewell, or at least was asked if they needed assistance. Every time I looked in their direction they looked the other way. The store itself is great, I love and support small businesses. Perhaps with 10+ years of customer service/relations experience under my belt, I expect more or have unrealistic expectations? Again, I would have made some purchases here, but felt unwelcome. Good thing the store next door had some great xmas purchases! read more

This is such a cute bookstore! It's definitely not like a huge chain store [although even those are becoming more and more rare... It's been a long time since I've seen even a Barnes & Nobles or a Borders around, so I'm really glad that Builders Booksource seems to be alive&well]. It gives off a really unique vibe, but at the same time, it's not totally "out there" either. I love how it's well lit and the way the books are organized makes sense to me. It's also cute how they have little signs saying which books are staff favorites as well. The only reason I'm not giving them the full five stars is... well, the books are kind of expensive and I've definitely had better customer service elsewhere, but Builders Booksource is a cute place to check out if you're in the area! read more

Beautiful little store with a well-informed staff. Go in, browse & buy. Good spot to pick up fine notebooks for yourself or for gifts.

Immaculate bookstore that carries anything you would ever need to know about home design, in and out. Ffrom from the littlest projects to a full renovation, you'll be totally inspired. Fun for all ages! read more

Words can't express how much I LOVE this place! Being an architecture major and city planning minor, this place is right up my alley-- but don't think that you have to be an architect or designer to love this place. This store is packed with fabulous and inspiring books, so plan to be here for a while! read more

How cool is this bookstore? I'm not even into the trade of building, but you'll find something of interest to you no matter what. Huge coffee table books, simple design books, a fun gift book section, everything you don't know exists is here! It's worth a visit, so please stop in and enjoy it! I know I do. read more

Fantastic niche kind of store in Berkeley's Fourth Street shopping district. I never quite fulfilled my dreams of being an architect, but this place definitely helps to rekindle my interest in all things architecture, buildings, cities, etc. It's the kind of place that I could get lost in for hours and be thoroughly entertained! read more

Extremely strong/deep selection of architecture and design books, as others have noted. I'm giving a shout out for the great selection of kids books--lots of unique, interesting titles. There is much goodness in this bookstore. Friendly staff, too! Stop and by for a browse. read more

It's really quite a random location for this kind of bookstore, but I love it! so many fun things to browse about architecture, design, art, etc. I really hope they don't go out of business, so go and take a look! read more

Great, great books. I especially love the section on treehouses. It just makes me happy. :)

Great bookstore, lots of books on cities, architecture and design, worth checking out if you are in the area.

As everyone else has already noted, this store has a great selection of books on architecture, design, etc. But, they also have a really cool small kids section where they carry hand made toys, activity kits and kids books. They had this really cute kids tool box with hand made tool replicas -- I didn't have anyone to buy it for, but it was so cute. read more

Having periodic aspirations to build a house I have spent many hours perusing the architecture, design, and construction books at Builders Booksource. Their books cover the gamut of interests, from those aimed at the casual DIYer to the glossy coffee table book collector to the general contractor. Their selection is incredible and it's definitely worth a stop if you're in town, plus you know you're supporting a great independent book strore. read more

I love popping by this store! Great selection of architecture, sustainable design, and design books from small to large publishers. They also carry all current California building code books/references and have a great selection of magazines. This is an excellent shop to purchase special craft/design/architecture books! read more

Best AEC bookstore on the East Bay. I love spending hours looking through their selection of the more popular trade books, but if you're looking or the obscure, you probably won't find it here. Nonetheless, it's a great bookstore that I like to frequent when in Berkeley. read more

Great store -- too bad I can hardly afford anything there (unless the boss is paying for it). But it really is the only place to go to get the latest need-to-know info about architecture and the building trade. The staff is friendly, too, even if you are just browsing. read more

Staff is always a pleasure to deal with. Rhodia and Moleskines sold here! An open door to the creatives.

This bookstore is super-awesome. Especially if you like architecture or design. It's a pleasant place to be, I just wish they were open later. read more

It's exactly what it's called. Elegance and style. A focused and complete collection of resources - and even if you're not building a house, the style rating of all the objects is primo -- pens and paperweights, mobiles and toys...Hightly recommended. read more

This is quite possibly the best book store in Berkeley. I am only sad i didn't hear about it sooner. Its a great place to find green building books on both the Architecture & Design along with your typical environmental books and a lot of DiY books and Renewable Energy books. Along the back wall there are series of building code books. This is a great place for anyone who's in the energy/architectural/construction industry along with anyone interested in DIY work. read more

One of my favorite bookstores in the Bay Area. Especially if you like design books. it may not be cheaper than Amazon but it is a lot more fun. I feel good supporting independent book shops. read more

I prefer William Stout's selection but Builders Books has a better overall staff. I like hanging out in here and browsing. If it wasn't on Fourth Street i'd probably be here more often. They recently downsized which was disappointing but they have a well-thought out selection of books. read more

Thanks Guys! As an Engineer in the area designing Residential & Commercial Buildings for long years Builders Booksource has provided all my Technical reference books. Gregory P. Jones,P.E. read more

great architecture bookstore and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. much smaller than expected cted though

a lot of useful books there, and service is friendly...only problem is no parking so go there early...

Outstanding bookstore! As its name suggests this bookstore concentrates on only one genre of books: that of building and architecture. It has a mind numbing range of books within this narrow scope. It is definitely the place to go if you need a book on any subject relating to building or design. It is equally good for the veteran contractor and the novice do-it-yourselfer. It is great to see an independent bookstore doing well while at the same time providing a larger selection that can be found in even the biggest chain stores. read more

As a graphic designer, this place is one of my staples. Although their graphic design section is not as large as some of the other sections in the store, its well stocked with what designers want and I've actually never walked out of there empty handed. The staff is helpful and friendly and will go out of their way to order something they don't have in stock. A refreshing break from the Borders/Waldenbooks and better stocked for graphic designers. read more

I found an excellent book on the finishing and patination of metals here. Not something that you would expect to find on 4th Street in Berkeley. They have curated an excellent selection of books. read more

We love, love, love this book store! Don't be in a hurry when you visit, as they have the greatest books on building and design around. Always clean, bright, and welcoming. Knowledgeable staff and we like supporting the independent small biz guys. read more

I needed a study guide for the CA C-7 low voltage contractors license exam . . . they sold me their Quick pass CD and book for $99.95. where to begin, the new exam section has 6 parts i currently have 13 pages of identified wrong, misleading or old information. The old exams 3 parts are full of the same and when i asked why they were included i got no answer, they also include blueprint reading . . . that has nothing to do with low voltage systems. The book with the CD is a gem also after i called to complain they admitted that the entire first half of the book was out of date so please just use the CD . . . well you can see from above that was a waste. I asked for my money back based on 6 phone calls requesting clarification of bad information and the answer was sorry we dont do refunds, so i paid over $100 and am hoping to pass my test, this book cd combo is garbage and they know it and sell it anyway, i wont deal with this outfit again, and do not recommend it to anyone else. read more