Tuesday, March 17, 2026
In the world of architectural woodworking, we often spend our days obsessing over the perfect grain match or the structural integrity of a complex installation. But as any seasoned shop owner will tell you, the most beautiful joinery in the world won’t keep the lights on if the “math” behind the business is fuzzy.
This week, the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) officially opened the submission period for its annual Cost of Doing Business Survey (CoDBS). For the uninitiated, this isn’t just another dry industry questionnaire; it is the most comprehensive financial health check available to our craft. By aggregating data on financial performance, operational metrics, and compensation from the previous year, the CoDBS offers a rare “peek behind the curtain” of the industry’s top performers.
The survey—conducted in strict confidence by a third-party organization—dives deep into the pillars of a successful shop: business models, balance sheets, and human capital. Perhaps most importantly, it separates the “average” from the “high-profit” firms, allowing members to see exactly where they land on the spectrum.
Lauren Bourland, AWI Treasurer and CoDBS Taskforce Chair, views the survey as a diagnostic tool for business growth. She recommends, “Charting your income statement against high-profit firms, analyzing the differences between them, and asking why there are differences.” The goal isn’t just to look at the numbers, but to move the needle. As Bourland puts it, “Then, act on answers from the data to plug the profit leaks.”
While the aggregated results are a goldmine for understanding competition and identifying firm-specific weaknesses, the benefits extend into the front office and the bank.
The CoDBS results are frequently used by members as high-level evidence of the industry’s health when seeking credit or financing. Furthermore, the survey provides granular data on:
Manufacturing Members who participate gain access to a portal-only dashboard. These benchmark reports are downloadable in Excel format, allowing shop owners to plot their individual company entries directly against industry standards. Gone are the days of lugging around heavy printed manuals; the data is available year-round, digitally, whenever a strategic decision needs to be made on the fly.
The Architectural Woodwork Institute has been producing this study for decades, and for many, it remains the “most valuable resource for improving our company’s profitability.” The submission window is currently open and will close on May 17. Participants will receive the aggregated results and a free printed book by July. For those who do not participate, copies of the results will be available for purchase at the AWI online store.
In an industry where margins can be as thin as a veneer, having a data-driven map is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you are looking to scale your team or simply tighten your departmental budgets, the CoDBS is your pathway to a more profitable 2026.
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Tags: Architectural Woodwork Institute, AWI financial survey, CoDBS 2026, woodworking business benchmarks, woodworking industry trends
