Side by side
| PermitPipeline | Construction Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 4 metros, deep: NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami-Dade | Nationwide U.S., by county/city area |
| Data focus | Pre-issuance and issued filings, commercial and project-based work | Issued building permits, residential and commercial |
| Delivery | Daily scored feed + searchable app | Weekly permit delivery (lists/exports) |
| Scoring | Every filing graded for contractor fit (A+/A = high-priority) | Raw records; you filter yourself |
| Workflow | Search, project tracking, saved searches, contact research | Data delivery; workflow lives in your tools |
| Pricing | $149–$599/mo, public pricing, self-serve, 14-day trial | Roughly $96/mo per area, public pricing, self-serve |
| Best for | GCs, subs, and design firms working the four covered metros | Teams needing broad raw permit data anywhere in the U.S. |
Comparison last verified July 2026 from public information. Products and pricing change; check the other provider's site for current details.
Where Construction Monitor is stronger
Coverage and history. Construction Monitor has tracked permits for decades and covers markets PermitPipeline does not. If your work is outside NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, or Miami-Dade, or you need residential repair-and-remodel volume, it is the more complete raw source.
Where PermitPipeline is different
PermitPipeline is built as a lead workflow, not a data delivery. Filings are scored daily for contractor fit, so the feed opens with the projects worth a call rather than a spreadsheet of every water-heater permit. Owner, architect, and GC signals are attached where the jurisdiction publishes them, and the app carries the pursuit: search, tracking, and contact research. A filing is an opportunity signal, not proof a project is open — the scoring exists to make that signal usable.
How to choose
Work in one of the four covered metros and want a ranked daily pipeline: start with construction leads from permit filings. Need national raw data or markets we do not cover: Construction Monitor. Some teams run both — breadth from one, depth and workflow from the other.
Related: PermitPipeline vs Shovels.ai · PermitPipeline vs Dodge · coverage & data dictionary.
Frequently asked
Is PermitPipeline a Construction Monitor alternative?
Yes, for contractors in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami-Dade who want scored, daily project leads rather than raw permit lists. Construction Monitor remains a strong choice for nationwide raw permit data, especially outside PermitPipeline's covered metros.
What is the main difference between PermitPipeline and Construction Monitor?
Construction Monitor delivers broad weekly permit data by county across the U.S. PermitPipeline covers four metros deeply, updates daily, scores each filing for contractor fit (A+ to lower grades), and wraps the data in a lead workflow: search, tracking, and contact research.
Which is cheaper, PermitPipeline or Construction Monitor?
For a single area, Construction Monitor is typically cheaper (roughly $96 per month per area for permit data). PermitPipeline starts at $149 per month and includes scoring, daily delivery, and workflow tools. Both publish pricing and sell without a sales call.
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