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6 Best AI Answering Services for Contractors in 2026
Compare the top AI answering services built for contractors, plumbers, HVAC techs, and home service businesses. Find the best AI phone answering solution for your trade.
You’re on a roof, under a sink, or elbow-deep in ductwork when your phone rings. Again. Miss that call, and there’s a 85% chance that customer is calling your competitor next.
Traditional answering services charge $1-2 per minute and still can’t tell a $200 faucet repair from a $15,000 repipe. AI answering services are changing the game for contractors - answering calls instantly, qualifying leads automatically, and booking appointments while you’re on the job.
We evaluated every major AI answering service targeting contractors and home service businesses. Here’s what we found.
What Makes a Good AI Answering Service for Contractors?
Before diving into the list, here’s what separates contractor-ready AI from generic solutions:
Must-Have Features:
- Trade-specific qualification - Knows to ask about water heater size, not just “how can I help?”
- Service area filtering - Automatically qualifies leads are in your coverage zone
- Emergency detection - Routes true emergencies vs. routine maintenance requests
- FSM/CRM integration - Syncs with Jobber, ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, etc.
- After-hours handling - 78% of customers buy from the first responder
Nice-to-Have Features:
- Missed call text-back
- Appointment booking
- Photo collection via text
- Multi-language support
- Voicemail transcription
Now let’s break down the best options.
1. LeadTruffle – Best for Home Service Lead Qualification
Best for: Contractors who want instant lead qualification across every channel
LeadTruffle is an AI-first lead capture platform built specifically for home service businesses. It handles leads from website forms, missed calls, and even third-party lead sources like Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and Google LSA - qualifying them automatically via SMS or AI voice before they ever reach your team.
Key Features:
- Website chat widget that converts to SMS qualification (98% open rate)
- AI Voice Agent that answers calls and qualifies leads over the phone
- Missed call text-back with voicemail transcription
- Geo-qualification with service area matching
- Direct integrations with Jobber, Housecall Pro, Workiz, HubSpot, MaidCentral, Service Monster
- Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and Google LSA lead integrations
- Built-in scheduling with Google Calendar sync
- Lead workflows (kanban board) for pipeline management
Pricing: $229/month (150 leads), $399/month (300 leads), $629/month (500 leads)
Pros:
- Built specifically for home services from day one
- Both SMS and Voice AI qualification in one platform
- No per-minute fees - predictable monthly cost
- Handles leads from Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, Google LSA automatically
- No contracts required
- Personalized onboarding included
- Agency/franchise portal for multi-location businesses
Cons:
- Higher starting price than basic voice-only solutions
- Custom 10DLC phone number requires Pro plan or higher
Why contractors love it: “We went from losing 60% of web leads to converting 40% more. By the time I call someone back, the AI already knows they need a 50-gallon water heater in my service area.” - Mike T., Thompson Plumbing
Best For: Contractors who want qualified leads from every source - web, phone, and lead aggregators.
2. Smith.ai – Virtual Receptionist + AI Hybrid
Best for: Businesses wanting human backup for complex calls
Smith.ai combines AI technology with live human receptionists. Their AI handles initial screening and simple tasks, while humans step in for complex situations. They serve multiple industries including contractors and home services.
Key Features:
- AI + human hybrid model
- 24/7 answering
- Call screening and qualification
- Appointment booking
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
- Outbound calling capabilities
Pricing: Starts at $292.50/month for 30 calls, $675/month for 90 calls, $1,170/month for 180 calls
Pros:
- Human backup for complex situations
- Established company with strong reputation
- Wide CRM integration library
- Live chat available
Cons:
- Expensive compared to AI-only solutions
- Per-call pricing can get pricey
- Not contractor-specific
- Long-term contracts may be required
Best For: Established contractors with budget for premium service and complex call needs.
3. Goodcall – AI Phone Agent
Best for: Quick setup with voice AI
Goodcall offers AI-powered phone agents that answer calls, qualify leads, and take messages. They’ve gained traction with local businesses looking for affordable AI call answering.
Key Features:
- AI voice answering
- Call qualification
- Message taking
- Business hours routing
- Basic integrations
Pricing: Starts around $59/month for basic plans, scales with usage
Pros:
- Affordable entry point
- Easy setup
- Voice AI capabilities
- Growing feature set
Cons:
- Not specifically built for contractors
- Limited trade-specific qualification
- Fewer integrations than established players
- Newer platform still developing features
Best For: Budget-conscious contractors wanting to test voice AI.
4. AnswerForce – Traditional + AI Hybrid
Best for: Contractors wanting 24/7 human backup
AnswerForce combines traditional live answering with AI capabilities. They have specific experience with plumbers, HVAC companies, and electricians, making them more contractor-aware than generic services.
Key Features:
- 24/7 live answering
- AI-assisted call screening
- Appointment scheduling
- Emergency dispatch protocols
- Trade-specific scripts
- ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro integrations
Pricing: Plans start around $150-300/month with per-minute or per-call pricing
Pros:
- Human operators understand home services
- 24/7 coverage
- Emergency dispatch experience
- Industry-specific training
Cons:
- Per-minute pricing adds up fast
- Not fully AI (hidden costs in usage fees)
- Contracts typically required
- Quality varies with operator
Best For: Contractors wanting human answering with some AI enhancement.
5. My AI Front Desk – Simple AI Receptionist
Best for: Small contractors wanting basic AI coverage
My AI Front Desk offers straightforward AI phone answering for small businesses. They focus on simplicity over complex features.
Key Features:
- AI voice answering
- 24/7 availability
- Call transcription
- Text message follow-ups
- Simple appointment booking
Pricing: Approximately $65-150/month depending on features
Pros:
- Simple and affordable
- Quick setup
- Good for low volume
- No long-term contracts
Cons:
- Limited contractor-specific features
- Basic qualification capabilities
- Fewer integrations
- Less sophisticated than competitors
Best For: Solo contractors or small shops testing AI answering.
6. Dialzara – AI for Service Businesses
Best for: Growing contractors wanting AI automation
Dialzara targets service businesses with AI-powered phone handling. They emphasize reducing no-shows and capturing after-hours leads.
Key Features:
- AI voice answering
- Lead qualification
- Appointment reminders
- After-hours handling
- Call analytics
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business needs
Pros:
- Service business focus
- After-hours coverage
- Appointment features
- Growing platform
Cons:
- Newer company
- Limited public information
- Custom pricing (harder to compare)
- Still building integrations
Best For: Growing contractors who want AI with room to scale.
Quick Comparison: AI Answering Services for Contractors
| Service | Starting Price | Type | Best For | Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeadTruffle | $229/mo | SMS + Voice AI | Full lead qualification | None |
| Smith.ai | $292/mo | Hybrid | Complex calls | 30-day |
| Goodcall | $59/mo | Voice AI | Budget testing | None |
| AnswerForce | $150/mo+ | Hybrid | Emergency dispatch | Yes |
| My AI Front Desk | $65/mo | Voice AI | Simple coverage | None |
| Dialzara | Custom | Voice AI | Growing businesses | Varies |
How to Choose the Right AI Answering Service
Consider Your Primary Need:
“I need to capture and qualify leads from every channel” → LeadTruffle - Handles website forms, missed calls, voice AI, plus Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and Google LSA leads. Qualifies via SMS or voice before they reach your team.
“I want basic AI phone answering on a budget” → Goodcall or Dialzara - Affordable voice AI options for contractors testing the waters.
“I need human backup for complex situations” → Smith.ai or AnswerForce - Hybrid services with real people backing up the AI for tricky calls.
“I’m just getting started and need something simple” → My AI Front Desk or Goodcall - Affordable entry points to test AI answering.
Consider Your Volume:
Low volume (under 50 calls/month): Flat-rate plans are best. Avoid per-minute pricing.
Medium volume (50-200 calls/month): Look for tiered plans or per-lead pricing like LeadTruffle.
High volume (200+ calls/month): Negotiate custom rates or look for unlimited plans.
Consider Your Integrations:
If you use ServiceTitan, Jobber, or Housecall Pro, prioritize services with direct integrations. Manual data entry kills the efficiency gains from AI.
The Real Cost of Not Having an AI Answering Service
Let’s do the math for a typical contractor:
Without AI answering:
- Miss 40% of calls while on jobs
- 85% of those callers don’t leave voicemail
- 75% of those don’t call back
- Average job value: $500
Monthly impact:
- 100 calls received → 40 missed → 34 lost forever → $17,000 in lost revenue potential
With AI answering:
- 100% of calls/texts handled
- 95% capture rate
- 25% conversion to appointments
- $12,500 in captured revenue
ROI on a $229/month AI service: 5,400%
Even the most expensive option on this list pays for itself many times over if it saves just one job per month.
Our Recommendation for Contractors
For most home service contractors, we recommend LeadTruffle for four reasons:
-
Every channel covered - Website forms, missed calls, AI voice answering, plus Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and Google LSA leads all in one platform. No juggling multiple tools.
-
Qualification over answering - An “answered” call that doesn’t get qualified is just an expensive message. LeadTruffle ensures you know what you’re calling back about - whether via SMS or voice.
-
Predictable pricing - No surprise per-minute bills. Know exactly what you’ll pay each month.
-
Built for trades - Not a generic AI adapted for contractors, but purpose-built for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and home services from day one. Direct integrations with Jobber, Housecall Pro, Workiz, and more.
That said, if you’re on a tight budget and just need basic voice answering, Goodcall offers an affordable entry point at $59/month. And if you need human backup for complex situations, Smith.ai has the best hybrid model.
Getting Started with AI Answering
Ready to stop missing leads? Here’s how to get started:
-
Audit your current calls - How many are you missing? What’s your average job value?
-
Calculate potential ROI - Even recovering 10% of missed opportunities usually justifies the cost
-
Try before you buy - Most services offer free trials or demos. Test with real customer scenarios.
-
Start with one channel - Don’t try to automate everything at once. Pick your biggest leak (missed calls, web leads, after-hours) and fix that first.
-
Measure results - Track leads captured, qualification rate, and conversions. Adjust as needed.
Ready to Never Miss Another Lead?
If you’re tired of losing leads to missed calls and slow follow-up, LeadTruffle helps contractors capture, qualify, and convert leads automatically.
No contracts, personalized onboarding, and AI that actually understands home services. See why hundreds of contractors trust LeadTruffle to handle their leads while they’re on the job.
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