When contractors realize they're missing too many calls, the first thing they usually look into is an answering service. Makes sense — someone answers your phone, takes a message, and you call the customer back when you're free. Simple, right?
Except it doesn't actually solve the problem.
The answering service problem
An answering service does one thing: take messages. That's it. The customer calls, a stranger answers, takes their name and number, and tells them "someone will call you back." Then you get an email or text with the message, and you still have to call them back yourself.
So the fundamental problem — you being too busy to follow up in time — hasn't changed at all. You've just added a middleman and a $400-800/month bill.
Worse, the customer experience is awkward. They called expecting to talk to a plumber or electrician. Instead they got a call center in another state who knows nothing about your business, can't answer questions, can't schedule appointments, and definitely can't diagnose their problem.
What AI automation does differently
AI automation doesn't just answer — it engages, qualifies, and books. When someone calls and you miss it, a text goes out in 3 seconds that feels like it came from you. The AI carries on a conversation, asks the right questions, answers common ones, and books an appointment on your calendar.
By the time you check your phone, the job is already booked. No calling anyone back. No playing phone tag. No lost leads because you were too slow.
The real cost comparison
Answering service: $400-800/month. You still call people back. You still lose leads to slow follow-up. You still don't get reviews. You still have no CRM.
AI automation: $297-997/month. Instant text response. Automated follow-up. Appointment booking. Review requests. Full CRM. Done-for-you setup. And you never call anyone back unless you want to.
One of these is a band-aid. The other is a system. The price is similar. The results aren't even close.
Sound like your business?
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