If you work with your hands, you cannot answer the phone with them. Up a ladder, under a sink or driving between jobs, a ringing phone usually means a missed customer — and the next trader on the search results gets the work.
The calls a trade business misses
- New job enquiries — “Can you quote for a new bathroom?”
- Emergency call-outs — burst pipes, no power, boiler failures
- Booking changes from existing customers
- Simple questions — areas covered, call-out charges, Gas Safe or NICEIC registration
- Suppliers and other trades who need a quick answer
What an AI receptionist does for you
Captures every enquiry. The agent takes the caller’s name, address or postcode, what the job is and how soon they need it, and sends you a short summary by email or Slack the moment the call ends.
Books site visits. Connected to your calendar, it offers the slots you have marked as free and confirms them, so you are not playing phone tag in the evening.
Answers the basics. Upload your service area, call-out charges, opening hours and accreditations, and the agent answers from them.
Triages emergencies. It asks the questions that tell you whether a job is urgent and flags those calls so you see them first.
Safety first for gas and electrics
Some calls are not jobs; they are emergencies. Script them clearly:
- Smell of gas: tell the caller to open windows, avoid switches and flames, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
- Immediate danger, fire or injury: tell the caller to call 999.
- Power cut affecting the street: suggest calling 105, the free power cut number for Great Britain.
The agent then logs the call so you can follow up.
Keep the work you want
You decide what the agent books. Common rules for trades include:
- Only book jobs within your postcode areas
- Take quote requests for big jobs but never quote a price
- Offer emergency call-outs only during the hours you cover them
Costs
Most sole traders run on the Free or Pro plan, paying usage from prepaid credits — typically £0.42 per minute. A business taking 100 two-minute calls a month pays around £84 in usage on the Free plan. See full pricing and examples.
Getting started
- Forward calls to the AI when you are busy or after hours, so you still answer when you can.
- Add your service area, prices you are happy to share and emergency instructions.
- Connect your calendar and choose where summaries are sent.
- Listen to a few calls in the first week and adjust.
See how Narvin works for trades and home services.
