Guides
Plain-English guides to AI on the phone
Costs, UK rules, set-up checklists and sector playbooks, written by the team that builds Narvin.
01
Costs and pricing
What AI call handling really costs in pounds, and how to compare quotes like for like.
- 3 min read
How much does an AI receptionist cost in the UK?
Platform fees, per-minute usage, phone numbers and setup — and three worked examples in pounds. - 2 min read
AI receptionist vs hiring a receptionist: a UK cost comparison
Wages, employer National Insurance, pension and holiday cover compared with per-minute AI pricing — and why many businesses use both. - 2 min read
How to work out what missed calls cost your business
A four-step method using your own numbers: how many calls you miss, how many would buy, what a customer is worth, and the cost of cover.
02
UK compliance
PECR, TPS, UK GDPR and AI disclosure, explained for teams putting AI on the phone.
- 4 min read
PECR and TPS rules for AI outbound calls in the UK
Marketing versus service calls, TPS screening, consent for automated calls, caller ID and the Ofcom rules on abandoned calls — with a checklist. - 3 min read
Should you tell callers they are talking to an AI?
Yes — and here is why: UK fairness rules, the EU AI Act transparency duty and what customers expect, plus opening lines you can copy. - 3 min read
UK GDPR and AI call recording: what businesses need to know
Lawful basis, transparency, retention, sensitive data and who is responsible for what when an AI answers and records your calls.
03
Set-up and how-to
Practical checklists for scripts, phone numbers, knowledge and going live.
- 2 min read
How to keep your existing number with an AI receptionist
Call forwarding, busy and no-answer forwarding for overflow, or porting your number — and how to choose between them. - 3 min read
How to set up an AI phone agent in a day
A practical, step-by-step checklist from template to first live call. - 3 min read
How to write a voice agent script that sounds natural
Opening lines, instructions, captured fields, fallbacks and closing lines — with examples you can adapt for your own agent.
04
By sector
How clinics, letting agents, restaurants and trades use an AI receptionist.
- 3 min read
An AI receptionist for dental practices: a practical guide
Bookings, new patient enquiries, reminders and out-of-hours cover — and the guardrails that keep an AI out of clinical decisions. - 2 min read
An AI receptionist for plumbers, electricians and builders
Answer every call while you are on the tools: quote requests, site visits and emergency call-outs, with a summary of every enquiry. - 2 min read
How letting agents can handle out-of-hours calls with AI
Evening portal enquiries, viewing bookings, maintenance reports and emergencies — what an AI can handle and what stays with your team. - 2 min read
Taking restaurant reservations by phone with AI
Bookings during service, menu and allergen questions, special requests and busy-night overflow, without pulling staff off the floor.
05
Comparisons
AI receptionists against answering services, IVR menus and hiring.
- 2 min read
AI receptionist vs virtual receptionist vs answering service
What each option does well, what it costs and when to combine them. - 2 min read
AI receptionist vs IVR phone menu: which is better?
Press 1 menus versus natural conversation: caller experience, what gets resolved, setup effort and when a simple menu is still enough.
Put an AI agent on your phones this week
Start on the Free plan, hear a sample call first, or let our team set it up with you.