Construction alignment lasers have been in use since the 1960s, when the applications of construction alignment lasers first began to be realized. Since then, the use of construction alignment lasers on the job site has expanded by leaps and bounds, with most construction companies making use of lasers on jobs ranging from excavations to sky scrapers. Construction alignment lasers have increased efficiency as well as ensuring that complex jobs are done properly the first time.

Construction alignment lasers come in a wide variety of forms, depending upon the intended operation. In general, there is a base unit with a transmitter and receiver. Most construction alignment lasers are mounted on fully rotatable housing so that the laser can be aimed in any direction. The laser emerges as a fine beam of light, although some construction alignment lasers have diverters to split the laser into one or more beams.

The laser housing usually has a display screen to show the angle and pitch of the laser, indicating whether it is aligned horizontally with the ground or not. The operator can adjust the position of the laser to achieve the desired angle and then lock it.

Construction alignment lasers are used most frequently in leveling, because a beam of light will remain consistently horizontal as it travels over long distances. Therefore, construction alignment lasers are used to make sure that excavations and concrete pours are even, as well as ensuring the level of beams and flooring. When used in combination with a vertical laser, construction alignment lasers can be used to assure that multiple parts of a structure are even or plumb with one another.

Construction alignment lasers can also be used to measure distances, because light travels at a steady rate. When used to measure distances, the laser is pulsed, and the distance is measured by the amount of time it takes for the laser to travel to the object and reflect back to the construction alignment laser. Many creative construction crews have come up with other ways in which construction alignment lasers can save time, money and energy.

Construction alignment lasers can come in very small sizes, for applications where access to a quick pocket laser might be needed, to check the alignment or plumb of something. Construction alignment lasers also come in cab mounted models, so that construction workers operating heavy equipment can check on their work, as well as in base units designed to be positioned in various points on the job site.

Like any laser technology, operators should be careful with construction alignment lasers. Proper eye protection should be worn and the laser should never be directed at an unexposed eye. The laser should not be pointed at a highly reflective surface, and use by untrained personnel should not be permitted.