Terms of service

The service

Shovels AI helps you develop a product idea. We create illustrated concepts and technical briefs with the help of AI tools and our staff, and coordinate qualified partners for engineering, fabrication and testing when you order that work.

Concepts and AI-assisted documents are illustrations and working drafts. They are not manufacturing-ready CAD, circuit designs or engineering certifications unless a quote expressly says so.

Eligibility and acceptable projects

You must have the right to develop the idea you submit. We may decline any project, including weapons, illegal products, or products designed to cause harm, and we'll explain why. Health, battery, wireless, children's and safety-critical products may need extra review, and we don't provide regulatory certification.

Packages, quotes and payment

Package prices shown on the site are starting prices for eligible projects. Prototype work is priced by written quote, which lists scope, deliverables, exclusions, assumptions, timeline estimate, payment schedule and expiry.

Physical prototypes start at $5,000 for eligible, defined projects. Final pricing depends on engineering complexity, materials, specialized components, electronics, supplier availability and manufacturing requirements. Any additional costs will be submitted for your approval before they are incurred.

Changes to scope or cost are proposed as written change orders and only proceed with your approval. Payments are processed by our payment provider.

Cancellations and refunds

Cancellation and refund terms will be stated here and on each quote before launch.

Ownership

You keep ownership of the ideas and materials you provide. Ownership of commissioned deliverables, third-party licensed assets and our own background tools and know-how is described on the IP & confidentiality page and in your quote.

Your account

Keep your sign-in secure. You're responsible for activity on your account. Approvals you make in your project (such as accepting a quote) are recorded with your name and the time.

Changes

We may update these terms. We'll tell you about material changes before they apply to work already quoted.