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Shovels MCP Server

shovels.ai

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Construction and permit data platform — search contractors and building permits via AI.

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What is the Shovels MCP Server?

The Shovels MCP Server gives AI agents like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor direct access to Shovels via 7 tools. Construction and permit data platform — search contractors and building permits via AI. Powered by the Vinkius - no API keys, no infrastructure, connect in under 2 minutes.

Built-in capabilities (7)

get_contractorget_contractor_activityget_contractor_by_licenseget_permitget_permit_statssearch_contractorssearch_permits

Tools for your AI Agents to operate Shovels

Ask your AI agent "Search for roofing contractors in ZIP 94105." and get the answer without opening a single dashboard. With 7 tools connected to real Shovels data, your agents reason over live information, cross-reference it with other MCP servers, and deliver insights you would spend hours assembling manually.

Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible client. Powered by the Vinkius - your credentials never touch the AI model, every request is auditable. Connect in under two minutes.

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Shovels MCP Server capabilities

7 tools

get_contractor

Get contractor details

get_contractor_activity

Find contractors active at an address

get_contractor_by_license

Find contractor by license ID

get_permit

Get permit details

get_permit_stats

Get permit activity statistics

search_contractors

Search for licensed contractors

search_permits

Search for building permits

What the Shovels MCP Server unlocks

Empower your AI agent to access the most comprehensive database of construction permits and licensed contractors with Shovels. By connecting Shovels to your agent, you transform complex real estate and construction auditing into a natural conversation. Your agent can instantly search for active permits, audit contractor history, and retrieve market statistics for specific geographic areas without you ever touching a dashboard. Whether you are analyzing market trends or verifying contractor credentials, your agent acts as a real-time construction data analyst, ensuring your insights are always structured and up-to-date.

What you can do

Contractor Discovery — Find licensed professionals based on location, work type (solar, roofing, etc.), and property type.
Permit Auditing — Search for and inspect detailed building permit records, including status and estimated values.
Activity Tracking — Identify contractors actively working within a specific radius of any address.
Market Intelligence — Retrieve aggregated permit statistics to analyze construction trends in different cities or counties.
License Verification — Instantly pull contractor profiles using their state business license IDs.

How it works

1. Subscribe to this server
2. Enter your Shovels.ai API Key
3. Start managing your construction data from Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client

Who is this for?

Real Estate Developers — perform rapid due diligence on properties and track local development activity.
Market Researchers — analyze construction trends and identify high-growth areas based on permit volumes.
Homeowners & Propert Managers — verify contractor credentials and monitor work history in their neighborhood.
SaaS Developers — integrate construction and permitting workflows into their applications through an AI-guided interface.
Building Material Suppliers — identify active job sites and contractors to optimize sales outreach.

Frequently asked questions about the Shovels MCP Server

How do I find solar contractors in a specific ZIP code?

Use the search_contractors tool and provide the ZIP code in the geo_id parameter and 'solar' in the work_type parameter. Your agent will return a list of matching professionals.

Can I see permit activity for a whole city?

Yes! Use the get_permit_stats tool with the city name or City/State combination in the geo_id parameter to retrieve aggregated construction data for that area.

How do I verify if a contractor has a valid license?

You can use the get_contractor_by_license tool with their state business license ID. The returned profile will include their current licensing status and specialty data.