Answering
What Is an AI Receptionist? A Plain-English Guide for Contractors
Why contractors look at AI receptionists
Most owners of small service businesses answer their own phones. That works until you're on a ladder, under a sink or driving. Call-analytics company Invoca reports that 27% of calls to home service businesses go unanswered (source). A caller who reaches voicemail often calls the next company on the list.
What can an AI receptionist do?
- Answer every call and chat, any time, in your business name
- Ask your qualifying questions: job type, address, urgency
- Book appointments in real open slots on your calendar
- Text back callers who hung up
- Send you an instant alert with the details
- Record and transcribe the conversation for your records
What can't it do?
An AI receptionist can't diagnose a problem on site or promise a price it hasn't been given. It should only share information you've loaded into it, and it should hand complex or sensitive calls to a person.
Is it legal to use an AI receptionist?
Yes, with proper disclosure. In California, a bot that talks with consumers to encourage a sale should disclose that it's a bot, and recording calls requires the consent of everyone on the call. Tell callers up front that they're speaking with an AI assistant and that the call may be recorded. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions to ask before you choose one
- Does it book into my real calendar, or just take messages?
- Does it text back missed calls?
- Who owns the recordings and contact data?
- How does it hand off to a person?
- What happens to leads that don't book right away?
- Can I cancel if it isn't working for me?
The bottom line
An AI receptionist won't replace a great office manager, but it can make sure no caller ever hits voicemail again. Pair it with automatic follow-up and the leads you already paid for get a real chance to become jobs.