An AI receptionist that answers every call and message, day or night
For a service business, a missed call is often a missed job — and hiring a full-time receptionist to catch them all rarely pencils out. This stack puts an AI voice agent on your phone line and a chat assistant on your website so calls get answered, common questions get handled, and bookings get captured even when you're on a ladder or it's 9pm. It's genuinely good at the repetitive front-desk work: qualifying callers, taking messages, answering FAQs, and routing the ones that need you. It is not a human, and for an upset customer or a delicate situation you'll still want to pick up. We're clear about that below. The tool prices shown are live and re-verified three times a week, and the $29 template that sets this up — scripts, call flows, and handoff rules — includes 30 days of those updates.
What it handles
- 5–10 hrs/wk
Answer missed calls
A voice agent picks up when you can't, so no lead goes to voicemail.
Handle website chat
A chat assistant answers common questions and captures details 24/7.
Qualify & route
Ask the right questions, then hand off hot leads to you with context.
Take bookings & messages
Capture appointment requests and messages into your inbox or calendar.
Answer FAQs
Hours, pricing, service area, and policies — answered instantly, consistently.
The stack behind it
The exact tools at the recommended budget, with live prices re-verified three times a week.
Quotes, comms, and content ($20).
$20/mo
AI chat that qualifies jobs on your site ($29).
$29/mo
7-day free trial; annual billing = 2 months free
Route every enquiry to one inbox with instant follow-up (~$19).
$18.82/mo
Save 15% or more with annual billing
Prices last verified: Jul 5, 2026
AI stack vs hiring — what you'd keep
Compare the yearly cost of a hire against the AI tool stack that does the repetitive work.
This stack includes usage-based pricing, so the exact monthly cost depends on volume — see the live prices below.
This compares cost only, and deliberately understates hiring (it excludes recruiting, onboarding, equipment, software, and management overhead). An AI stack does specific tasks with your oversight — it doesn't replace judgment, relationships, or accountability. The $29 template is a one-time cost added to year one.
Salary source: U.S. BLS OES, May 2023 (SOC 43-4171) · U.S. BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
Get this template — $29What an AI receptionist can't do
The honest limits. This is a tool with your oversight, not a person.
- Handle an angry or emotional caller the way a calm human can.
- Make judgment calls on unusual requests outside its script.
- Physically greet walk-ins or handle in-person tasks.
- Fully replace you for high-value or sensitive conversations.
- Guarantee it never mis-hears — you set escalation rules for edge cases.
Questions about an AI receptionist
Will callers know it's AI?+
Modern voice agents are natural, but we recommend being upfront where it matters. You control the script and when a call routes to a human.
What does it cost to run?+
Voice agents are usually usage-priced (per minute) plus a base plan — the live prices and usage notes are shown in the stack below so there are no surprises.
Can it book appointments?+
Yes, when connected to your calendar or booking tool. The template covers the setup and handoff rules.
receptionist
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