Every missed call is a missed opportunity. For home service contractors, that opportunity often walks straight to a competitor.
The $1,200 Problem
According to industry data, the average service call for HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work generates $1,200 in revenue. When your phone rings and nobody answers, that money goes to whoever picks up first.
Here’s the reality most contractors face:
- 62% of calls go unanswered during peak hours
- 78% of customers call the next contractor on the list if you don’t answer
- Average response time for callbacks? 47 minutes — by then, they’ve already booked elsewhere
Why Traditional Solutions Fall Short
The Receptionist Problem
Hiring a full-time receptionist costs $35,000-$50,000 per year. But what happens when:
- They’re on another call?
- It’s after hours?
- They call in sick?
- You’re slammed during a heat wave or cold snap?
You’re back to missed calls.
The Answering Service Problem
Third-party answering services sound great in theory. But they:
- Don’t know your business
- Can’t book directly into your calendar
- Often frustrate customers with scripted responses
- Cost $200-$800/month for basic service
How AI Voice Changes Everything
Modern AI voice systems like Trades Pilot AI don’t just answer calls — they handle them like your best employee would.
What AI Voice Actually Does
- Answers instantly — No rings, no wait, no voicemail
- Qualifies leads — Asks the right questions to understand the job
- Books appointments — Directly into your ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, or Jobber calendar
- Handles after-hours — 24/7 coverage without overtime pay
- Speaks naturally — Customers often don’t realize they’re talking to AI
Real Results from Real Contractors
“We were missing 40% of our calls. After implementing AI voice, our booking rate jumped from 23% to 67% in the first month.” — Mike T., HVAC Contractor, Phoenix
The Math That Matters
Let’s break down a typical scenario:
| Metric | Before AI | After AI |
|---|---|---|
| Calls per week | 100 | 100 |
| Calls answered | 38 | 98 |
| Booking rate | 23% | 67% |
| Jobs booked | 9 | 66 |
| Revenue @ $1,200/job | $10,800 | $79,200 |
That’s $68,400 more per week — from the same number of incoming calls.
Getting Started
The best time to stop missing calls was yesterday. The second best time is now.
If you’re ready to see what AI voice can do for your contracting business, book a demo and we’ll show you exactly how it works for your industry.
Ryan Fisher is the founder of Trades Pilot AI. He spent 15 years running a trades business before building the AI command center he wished he had.