Answering services for plumbers and contractors
Updated 2026-10-29 · Facts checked against vendor websites on the date shown · How we compare
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Short answerA solo plumber or small crew mostly needs calls answered while their hands are full, emergencies passed straight through, and quotes booked. A low-cost AI receptionist does that: Upfirst ($24.95/mo for 30 calls), Rosie ($49/mo, English and Spanish) or Trillet ($49/mo, ServiceTitan). Bigger shops on ServiceTitan or Housecall Pro can look at Sameday AI ($449/mo) or Nextiva ($99/mo). For a person on the line, PATLive starts at $99/mo.
Prices and trials from each vendor's own website, checked 2026-10-29. Plans change often: confirm on the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
For solo plumbers and small crews
Upfirst
$24.95/mo for 30 calls, then $1.50 a call. Names contractors and HVAC among its markets. Overflow mode means it only answers when you do not, so you keep the calls you can take. Warm transfer, booking, 35+ languages, 14-day trial without a card.
Rosie
$49/mo for 250 minutes, 24/7, English and Spanish on every plan. On the $49 plan it texts callers a booking link; direct calendar booking and live transfer start at $149.
Trillet
$49/mo for 150 minutes, $0.20 a minute after. Calendar booking, ServiceTitan integration, 32 languages. 28-day money-back guarantee.
Dialzara
$29/mo for 60 minutes, then $0.48 a minute. Booking, transfer, lead capture and spam screening. 7-day trial. Good for low call volume.
For bigger plumbing companies
- Nextiva AI Receptionist: $99/mo for 100 interactions across calls, texts and web chat; Housecall Pro integration; multi-location routing.
- Sameday AI: from $449/mo for 500 minutes and 3 locations, built for home services, ServiceTitan integration.
If you want a person
PATLive: US-based receptionists from $99/mo for 50 minutes or $2.99 a minute pay-as-you-go, bilingual included, Jobber integration, 14-day trial.
What to tell your AI receptionist
- Your service area (towns or zip codes) and what you do not do.
- Your call-out or diagnostic fee, if you are happy for it to quote that.
- Which problems are emergencies and who to transfer them to.
- Your opening hours and what happens out of hours.
- Never to promise an arrival time you have not confirmed.
Related: HVAC answering services, after-hours answering, best AI receptionists.
FAQ
Why do plumbers need an answering service?
Because you cannot answer the phone under a sink. Callers with a leak usually ring the next plumber if nobody answers. An answering service or AI receptionist catches that call, takes the details and books it or passes it to you.
What is the cheapest answering service for a plumber?
On 29 Oct 2026 the cheapest self-serve AI option we found was Upfirst at $24.95/mo for 30 calls. Dialzara started at $29/mo for 60 minutes; Rosie and Trillet at $49/mo.
Can it tell emergencies from routine jobs?
Yes, if you set it up to. Give it questions like 'is water leaking now?' and 'can you turn off the stopcock?' and tell it to transfer or text you straight away for active leaks, no water or gas smells.
Does it work with Housecall Pro, Jobber or ServiceTitan?
Nextiva lists Housecall Pro (ServiceTitan on request); Sameday AI and Trillet list ServiceTitan; Quo lists Housecall Pro and Jobber; PATLive lists Jobber.