Contractor permit intelligence
Shovels vs BLDR WRK for roofers
Shovels is a national permit API for data teams. BLDR WRK is roofing-focused, with NOAA hail overlays on permit data from $99/mo. Sources linked.
The short answer
Pick Shovels if you have a data team that wants a national permit API. Pick BLDR WRK if you run roofing sales and want to see, ZIP by ZIP, where hail points landed and how roofing permits moved afterward.
Side by side
Shovels figures below are claims made by a third party, PermitStack, at permit-stack.com/compare. BLDR WRK has not verified them. Prices are a snapshot recorded October 13, 2026 from each vendor's public page. Check the source before you buy.
| Shovels (per PermitStack) | BLDR WRK | |
|---|---|---|
| Product | National permit API | Roofing-focused permit and hail view |
| Coverage | Approx. 2,770+ jurisdictions (third-party claim) | 143 verified markets across 20 states |
| Free tier | 500 free credits per month (third-party claim) | Free public Storm Gap pages |
| Paid from | $599/mo (third-party claim) | $99/mo |
| Hail overlay | Not compared in this source snapshot | NOAA SPC hail points |
| Exports | API | CSV, 500 to 10,000 rows per plan |
| Source | PermitStack comparison (third-party claims about Shovels) | BLDR WRK pricing |
Coverage, honestly
The BLDR WRK markets directory currently lists 143 verified markets across 20 states. This is not a claim that every market has measured roofing-permit windows. Storm Gap labels measured and hail-only coverage separately. For data teams needing a permit API, consider Shovels; for roofing sales teams wanting hail-versus-permit by ZIP, consider BLDR WRK.
What roofing teams actually do with it
A sales manager picks a storm date, sees which ZIPs had NOAA hail reports, and compares roofing permit counts before and after. ZIPs with hail and few new permits are where canvassing starts. Hail points are report locations, not swaths, and do not prove any given roof was hit.
Next steps
Start with the free Storm Gap pages to see hail points next to roofing permit counts in your area. When you want ZIP-level detail, exports and alerts, the trial is seven days on Pro with no card and no automatic charge.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shovels or BLDR WRK better for roofers?
Shovels fits data teams that want a national permit API. BLDR WRK fits roofing sales teams who want hail points compared with roofing permits by ZIP.
How much does Shovels cost?
According to a third-party comparison at permit-stack.com, Shovels offers 500 free credits per month and paid plans from $599 per month. Those are PermitStack's claims as of October 13, 2026, not verified by BLDR WRK.
How many jurisdictions does Shovels cover?
PermitStack, a third party, claims approximately 2,770+ jurisdictions. BLDR WRK has not verified that figure.
How much can I export from BLDR WRK?
CSV exports run from 500 to 10,000 rows depending on plan. Plans start at $99 per month.
Sources (checked 2026-10-13)
Competitor details reflect the dated source check, not a guarantee of current pricing. Live Storm Gap coverage is read from our database.