AI answering service for contractors: how it works and what it costs

• Answers within about three seconds, using your company name.
• Qualifies the lead: problem type, urgency, and location.
• Books emergency jobs straight into the calendar, or texts you the details on non-urgent ones.
• Confirms the appointment by text to the caller. A typical call runs 60 to 90 seconds.

AI handles the large majority of straightforward contractor calls as well as a person, at a lower cost, with booking and text-back included. A human service still has the edge on rare, complex conversations.

• Standalone AI services: about $79 to $149 a month depending on call volume.
• Nova Growth tier: $199 a month, which also includes the website, CRM, and review automation.
• Human answering services: $250 to $500 a month, phone only.

• HVAC: emergency calls worth $350 to $550. One captured after-hours call covers months of service.
• Plumbing: emergency calls worth $200 to $800, and the highest after-hours volume, bursts, backups, heater failures.
• Roofing: leads worth $5,000 to $15,000. One post-storm call pays for a year. Storm season lifts call volume sharply.
• Electrical: emergency calls worth $200 to $800, panel upgrades $1,500 to $4,000. Homeowners call until someone answers.
• Cleaning: a recurring client is worth $150 to $400 a month. One new client covers the cost for years.

If you take more than about five calls a week, an AI answering service is among the highest-return tools you can add: faster pickup, lower cost, always on, with booking and text-back bundled in.