What is the Shovels MCP Server?

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

Shovels MCP Server: see your AI Agent in action

AI AgentVinkiusShovels
You

Vinkius AI Gateway
GDPR·High Security·Kill Switch·Ultra-Low Latency·Plug and Play

Built-in capabilities (7)

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 this connector 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

Give your AI agents the power of Shovels

Access Shovels and 2,500+ MCP servers — ready for your agents to use, right now. No glue code. No custom integrations. Just plug Vinkius AI Gateway and let your agents work.