> ## 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 Identify Independent Contractors

> Learn reliable methods to identify sole proprietors and individual contractors in the Shovels API data.

Identifying independent contractors (ICs) in the Shovels API can be accomplished in several ways.

## Primary Method: biz\_type Field

The most reliable method is through the `biz_type` field, though it has limited coverage across our dataset.

## Heuristic Indicators

As a practical heuristic, consider these signals:

### Business Name Analysis

If a business name appears to be a person's name (e.g., "John Smith" rather than "Smith Construction"), it often indicates an independent contractor.

### Other Signals

* **Single contact person** across all permits
* **Low permit volume** compared to larger firms
* **Absence of multiple employee records**

## Why It Matters

Independent contractors represent a significant portion of the contracting ecosystem, especially in specialized trades like:

* Electrical work
* Plumbing
* HVAC

Understanding which contractors are independent professionals versus larger companies allows for:

* More tailored marketing approaches
* Accurate market segmentation
* Better targeting for products or services

<Info>
  The `biz_type` field provides the most accurate identification when available, but coverage varies across the dataset.
</Info>

## Related Articles

* [Contractor search](/docs/knowledge-base/api/contractors/contractor-search)
* [Filtering by company size](/docs/knowledge-base/api/contractors/filtering-by-size)