> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.shovels.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Search for Contractors

> Learn the difference between permit search and contractor search in the Shovels API, and how to find contractor contact information and permit history.

Contractor search returns B2B contact information, license data, and classification data about contractors who have pulled permits.

## Permit Search vs Contractor Search

| Search Type           | Returns                                                                    |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Permit Search**     | Permits pulled at specific addresses in a geographic area                  |
| **Contractor Search** | Contact information, license data, and classification data for contractors |

<Info>
  Not every permit has an associated contractor. This depends on whether the jurisdiction requires contractor information on permit applications, and whether the contractor provides it.
</Info>

## Searching for Contractors

### By Name

You can search by contractor name—either the full name or partial:

```bash theme={null}
# Full name search
curl -X GET \
  "https://api.shovels.ai/v2/contractors/search?name=John+Smith+Panels" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"

# Partial name search
curl -X GET \
  "https://api.shovels.ai/v2/contractors/search?name=Smith" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
```

### By Geography

Search for contractors in a specific area:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X GET \
  "https://api.shovels.ai/v2/contractors/search?geo_id=94103" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
```

## Fuzzy Matching

* **Address lookup** is fuzzy
* **Contractor lookup** is exact, or you can search by part of the name

For example, searching for "John Smith Panels" you can search by:

* "John"
* "Joh"
* "Sm"
* "Panels"

## Contractor Information Available

* Business name and DBA
* Contact information (phone, email, address)
* License numbers and status
* Permit history and counts
* Performance metrics

## Related Articles

* [Employee data](/docs/knowledge-base/api/contractors/employee-data)
* [Service area lookup](/docs/knowledge-base/api/contractors/service-area-lookup)
* [Filtering by company size](/docs/knowledge-base/api/contractors/filtering-by-size)