In January 2026, we surveyed a group of AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) professionals to better understand how they discover, evaluate, and ultimately specify building products.
Our goal was simple: learn what actually drives specification decisions today, directly from the professionals making them.
Inside the report, you’ll discover:
- Where AEC professionals go first when researching products
- Which product files and formats matter most during evaluation
- What truly influences specification decisions
- What specifiers expect from manufacturers
- And so much more!
FAQs
The report explores several key aspects of how AEC professionals research, evaluate, and specify building products, including:
- What triggers AEC professionals to begin searching for product files
- How quickly they need to make product decisions
- Which product files and formats matter most during evaluation
- The top ways AEC professionals discover new products and manufacturers
- What AEC professionals expect most from manufacturers
- The most valuable types of manufacturer outreach
- Why AEC professionals use CADdetails
- How AEC professionals begin their product search on CADdetails
- And more insights from professionals actively working on projects
This report is based on first-party data from a survey conducted by CADdetails in January 2026.
The survey was completed by a sample of architects, engineers, and construction professionals across North America who actively use CADdetails to research and specify building products.
You can use the insights from this survey to better understand the needs and expectations of AEC professionals during the design phase of a project, empowering you to better support how specifiers actually work.
These findings also highlight the important role specification platforms like CADdetails play in getting your products in front of decision-makers when it matters most.