Should a tradie use an answering service or an AI receptionist?
Both stop you missing calls. A human answering service is good for warm, unusual or sensitive calls but usually takes messages rather than booking work. An AI receptionist answers every call at any hour, can ask your trade-specific questions, check your diary and book the job, and sends the details straight to you. Many tradies start with AI for routine calls and send anything urgent or unusual straight through to themselves.
What you actually need
Every call answered, the job details captured properly, urgent jobs flagged straight away, and simple jobs booked without you calling back.
Human answering service
A person answers in your business name and takes a message. It feels personal and handles odd calls well. The limit is that they usually don't know your trade or your diary, so you still call back to quote and book.
AI receptionist
Answers every call, day or night, asks the questions you'd ask, books jobs that fit your diary, and sends you a written summary. It's consistent and doesn't get busy. Anything complicated or urgent should come straight to you.
How to choose
Ring each option as if you were a customer. Does it sound like your business? Does it get the details you need? Does it book or just take a message? That test tells you more than any feature list.
Common questions
Do customers mind talking to AI?
Most care more about being answered quickly and getting a time booked. Be upfront that it's AI.
Can AI handle emergencies?
It should recognise urgent calls and put them straight through to you or a backup number.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some tradies use AI for routine calls and a person for after-hours emergencies.
Will it know my services?
A good setup is configured with your services, area, hours and the questions you need asked.