Missed calls are costing trades businesses jobs — here's the fix
If you're up a ladder or under a sink, you can't answer the phone — and the customer rings the next number on Google. The fix is to make sure every enquiry gets an instant answer, even when you're busy: AI call answering, instant text replies, or online booking.
How often small businesses miss calls
In one UK mystery-shopping test, 47% of small businesses missed the first call (67 of 142) (Alliance Virtual Offices). For trades, where emergency jobs go to whoever answers, that is work handed to competitors.
Three ways to stop losing jobs
- AI call answering (from £395 + £79/month): answers 24/7, takes the job type, address and urgency, books a quote visit and texts you the details. Emergencies can be transferred to you straight away.
- Instant enquiry replies (from £49/month): every web form or message gets an immediate, helpful reply, so the customer doesn't keep shopping around.
- A website with online booking and local SEO (websites from £495, local SEO from £199/month): more customers book themselves in and fewer need to ring at all.
Which one first?
If most of your work comes by phone, start with call answering. If most comes from your website or Google, start with instant replies and booking. We'll look at your current setup for free and tell you which will make the biggest difference.
Frequently asked questions
How can a tradesperson answer calls while on a job?
An AI call answering service picks up when you can't, takes the job details and urgency, books a quote visit and sends you a summary.
How much does AI call answering cost for a trades business?
From £395 set-up plus £79 per month (ex-VAT) at PTC Byte Labs.
Ask our AI assistant now, or book a free 30-minute call with Gaurav. Fixed, written proposal within 24 hours.
Ask nowRelated
AI for tradesAI receptionistWhat does an AI receptionist cost a UK estate agent?Real starting prices for AI call answering for UK estate and letting agents, what you get, and how to work out whether it pays for itself.
Website chatbot, WhatsApp assistant or AI receptionist: which does your business need?A plain-English guide to choosing between an AI website chat assistant, a WhatsApp AI assistant and AI call answering, with UK starting prices.