Best Gifts for the Construction Pro in Your Life
Updated: May 05, 2022Here are 15 surefire gifts that balance the comfort, power and durability construction pros need.
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Milwaukee Work Belt with Suspension Rig
It’s one thing to have all the tools you need close at hand, and it’s another to deal with that all that weight!
Give the construction pro on your list a helping hand with the Milwaukee work belt and suspension rig. The shoulder harness transfers the weight of the tool belt evenly across the user’s frame, making for a more comfortable and less-fatiguing workday.
Constructed with riveted seams and metal hardware, the manufacturer claims that it is “up to five times more durable than competitive products.” The 29 pockets are puncture resistant so they can carry sharp items, and there’s a dedicated smart phone pocket. Sizing fits 30-inch to 53-inch waists.
Locking Truck Tool Bin
This Craftsman crossover truck tool box lets your pro securely take their most valuable tools on the road. It seals when closed to keep tools safe, and the solid aluminum body is low profile and discrete.
The lock is on the driver’s side for convenience, and the rugged fully welded frame can take the rugged use that accompanies a job in construction. It fits most trucks, but be sure to double-check compatibility before purchase!
Truck Seat Organizer/Bunker
Plenty of construction pros have a mobile office — the rest of us call it a truck. Help bring more organization to their office/workshop-on-the go with this seat back bunker from Duluth Trading Company.
Attach it to both headrests and secure it at the bottom, and your pro will have three tiers of easy-access storage. Collapsible aluminum poles provide the framework, and seven roomy pockets hold everything from jumper cables and phone chargers to those extra socks we were just going on about!
Lost Tool Locator
It’s easy for small tools to grow legs and walk off a jobsite. Sometimes it’s accidental, and sometimes not. Either way, help your favorite pro keep track of their most expensive tools with the Milwaukee Tick tool and equipment locator.
Named after the notoriously hard-to-dislodge pest, the Tick can be glued, screwed, riveted or strapped to almost any tool or piece of equipment. Resistant to the fiercest storms or shop dust, it will keep running for a full year on a coin battery, providing beacons to any phone with Milwaukee’s One-Key app.
With this gadget, a pro can know when they’re near their gear, whether it’s buried in their tool bag or in the back of someone else’s truck.
(We should point out the Tick is neither an anti-theft device nor a GPS tracking service. For that, they’ll need a dedicated GPS device and app.)
Comfortable, Rugged Safety-Toe Boots
Sure, you can buy a pair of safety boots for far less. But when you spend your day on your feet, what’s on your feet matters! These six-inch Keen Troy boots are built to last and give workers comfort while they work.
Everything about these American-made boots suggests quality is Keen’s top priority. The composite safety toe is lighter than steel without compromising protection, and the waterproof membrane keeps rain out but doesn’t trap hot air and sweat inside.
Two-in-One Fleece Headwear and Face Wrap
You may notice several items on this list keep pros warm or dry. That’s no accident! Construction is a tough job, and it’s a lot tougher when dealing with extreme weather.
Protect your pro’s face with this fleece cap and wrap from Carhartt. The adjustable mask prevents wind and debris from snaking into eyes and between clothing layers.
Hand and Foot Warmers
For low-cost and deeply-appreciated stocking stuffers, consider hand or foot warmers. Usually available at hardware stores for around a dollar each, you can pick up bulk packs to save a little cash and provide extra warmth when it’s needed.
These air-activated heat packs provide just the right amount of heat without being uncomfortable or depending on batteries.
Rain Gear
When it’s cold and raining, DIYers can go inside and let it blow over. Pros can’t. They’ve got to keep working if they want to get paid on time. Too often pros turn stoic in a downpour, or pull on one of those flimsy-yet-inflexible vinyl rain suits that only seem to make things worse.
Give them a better solution with a pair of Cofferdam Coveralls. Rugged enough for serious work, these coveralls protect your favorite pro from rain and sleet without trapping in sweat. And they’re flexible at the joints so they don’t inhibit movement.
Quality Hammer
It may seem like a simple tool, but a quality hammer can make a world of difference. The Vaughn 17-inch California framer is the kind of tool a pro will appreciate, sturdy enough to someday be passed on to the next generation of carpenters.
The curved-wood handle absorbs vibration and swings easily. The powder-coated finish resists rust, and the magnetic nail-starter saves serious time when working one-handed or in tight spaces.
Leatherman Multi-Tool
If you know someone who works with their hands, you almost can’t go wrong with a multi-tool as a gift. While prices on multi-tools vary widely, we suggest you start by looking at the Leatherman Surge for your construction pro.
Designed with an industrial worker in mind, the Surge features 21 tools, including the largest and most powerful pliers Leatherman offers. It also comes with full-size blades and a staggering 25-year warranty.
A multi-tool doesn’t replace a toolbox, but it can save your pro an extra trip down the ladder or out to the truck. All those saved trips add up to make the workday easier.
Safety Ear Muffs with Bluetooth
OSHA-compliant ear muffs with Bluetooth are a terrific gift for any pro or DIYer. No matter if they’re a weekend DIYer or a full-time pro, everyone only gets one set of ears. And hearing protection is easy to forget about.
But when your pro uses their ear muffs for their music or podcasts, they’re far more likely to be wearing that protection before breaking out a saw, nail gun or other high-decibel tool that could damage their hearing.
Women’s Work Wear
The number of women in the construction and remodeling trades is on the rise. But it can be hard to find clothes cut for a woman that can take the physical wear and tear of a construction site. These double-knee canvas work pants are a terrific exception.
Patagonia’s work wear is an alternative to some of the perennial best-sellers. When you buy their stuff, some of your hard-earned dollars go toward supporting the environment. They offer lots of canvas and hemp-based clothing, and we’re particularly fond of their lineup for women.
Jobsite Slow Cooker Lunch Box
Lunch is an essential part of the day for most pros. But a lump of cold leftovers in a repurposed plastic container isn’t as appealing as a freshly-prepared warm meal.
Your favorite pro might really like a Hotlogic 1.5-quart slow cooker, which warms cold or frozen meals in about an hour. It can cook on-site or in their vehicle if they have a 120-volt outlet or power inverter. And if they don’t? Read on — we’ve got them covered with our final slide.
Duracell 150-Watt Power Inverter
Most modern work trucks have an AC outlet and charging port built into the cab. But if your pro owns an older truck, then a reliable power inverter is a near-necessity.
This inverter from industry-leader Duracell plugs into a vehicle’s DC outlet (the cigarette lighter) and converts it to three-prong 120-volt AC power source with two USB charging ports.