FirstDig vs PermitMap

Scored permits, heat maps and alerts for contractors in Florida, Texas and North Carolina markets. How it compares with FirstDig for local service businesses, from both sites (checked Oct 31, 2026).

	FirstDig	PermitMap
Built for	Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area.	Roofing, HVAC, plumbing, pool, electrical, solar and general contractors.
Coverage	100 city and county permit feeds in 29 states and DC; 113,450 permits in the last 30 days. Any other city can be requested.	113 markets in Florida, Texas and North Carolina (97, 10 and 6) per its home page, several marked partial; other pages name only Florida and Texas.
How fresh	City feeds read about every hour; the matching permits arrive by email every morning (Pro), within the hour (Business) or weekly (Free).	Says update timing varies by market.
Alerts	Draw your service area on a map and pick your trades; plus job-finished alerts, ready dates, busy streets and a route planner. Works inside ChatGPT and Claude too.	Weekly scored permits (Starter: the top 50 a week), permit activity alerts and ZIP heat maps (Pro), custom territory monitoring (Team).
Homeowner names	Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.	Not described on its website.
Contractor details	The contractor's business name on each permit; the busiest builders in your area (Business).	Not described on its website.
Exports and API	No exports; connect ChatGPT or Claude to ask about your permits (Pro and Business).	API access on Team.
Price	Free (weekly, one area, one trade); Pro $49 a month, Business $99 a month. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro, no card.	Starter $79 (1 area), Pro $149 (up to 5 areas), Team $299 a month; a 14-day trial with a card; a free permit sample.

Choose PermitMap if

You work in its Florida or Texas markets and want scored permits and heat maps.

Choose FirstDig if

You want a free plan, or a paid plan from $49 a month.
You want every matching permit each morning rather than a weekly top 50.
You work outside Florida, Texas and North Carolina (FirstDig covers 29 states and DC).

Questions

What is the difference between FirstDig and PermitMap?

FirstDig: Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area. PermitMap: Roofing, HVAC, plumbing, pool, electrical, solar and general contractors.

How much does PermitMap cost compared with FirstDig?

PermitMap: Starter $79 (1 area), Pro $149 (up to 5 areas), Team $299 a month; a 14-day trial with a card; a free permit sample. FirstDig: Free (weekly, one area, one trade); Pro $49 a month, Business $99 a month. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro, no card.

Does PermitMap or FirstDig include homeowner names?

PermitMap: Not described on its website. FirstDig: Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.

Start free with FirstDig (14 days of Pro, no card needed).

Sources

PermitMap's side comes from its own website, read on Oct 31, 2026; prices and features may have changed since. FirstDig's side is live. Spotted a mistake? Write to support@firstdig.net.