It's generally organized by the classes of work. Starts with things that are point on the map related: site work, foundation, driveway, services in from street, then the building phases and subs that are more material related, framing, windows, cornice and outside trim, windows, roofing, finish masonry, siding, decks, porches, patios, exterior paint, finish grading, gutters and downspouts, (outdoor stuff like swimming pools, cabanas andoutdoor kitchens, if ya got 'em)
Then on to inside stuff, all mechanicals, Plumbing, wiring, smart home, home theater, HVAC, ducting for water heater, range vent, insulation, wall finishes (dyrwall, plaster), Millwork: doors, trim, mantels, staircases, skylights; kitchens and baths (too much to list), Special finishes- terrazzo, tile, polished and stained concrete, faux stone, columns, architraves, custom built-ins.
Finishes: hardwood, carpet, paint, faux finishes, builder's hardware, fixtures of all kinds- final electrical and plumbing, mostly.
Other areas: backup power supplies, solar electricity, sump pumps, attic ventilation. Probably thousands of things for others to add and improve upon. This is off the top of my head.
Casey

My DH always laminates material lists and (a spare copy) of blue prints.

I have about 35 file folders per house separated by trade and supplier. These stay in my office.

All I bring on site every day in the truck is a loose leaf binder with some details, Building Code, approved construction plans, city phone books and my trade and contacts business cards in a binder. Though I don't, it's probably a good idea to keep a log book too.

And I never forget the universal building tool: a chequebook.

worthy, that made me giggle. :)

I have a humongo expanding 5" three ring binder with 8 subject dividers. They are divided as such:

*PHASES, BUDGET, JOB COST
*DIRTWORK, FOUNDATION, CONCRETE
*SEPTIC, POWER, WATER
*FRAMING, WINDOWS, DOORS
*PLUMBING, HEATING, ELECTRICAL
*SIDING, DRYWALL, PAINT
*CABINETS, COUNTERTOPS, FLOORING
*APPLIANCES, FINISH ITEMS, INTERIOT TRIM

I also punched holes in five folders and added those too. We are guilding this ourselves and pay all the bills directly, so your needs might differ. My folders are labeled:

*CUT SHEETS
*BANK DRAWS (PAID)
*BILLS TO BE PAID
*PLANS & SPECS
*MISCELLANEOUS

I have blank paper behind each tab for all of my notes. I have found my book to be VERY helpful throughout the process. I carry it everywhere (even my DH can use it!).

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for posting this question. I am new to the forum. I have a pile of folders with no idea what the best way to organize them is. We are breaking ground in early Nov. so the answers were really helpful.

Oh my! I just reread my post and see I was typing way too fast. Pardon my typos! I meant INTERIOR (not interiot) trim and that we are BUILDING (not guilding) this ourselves. We need spell check on here. Geez! :)