Answering services for tradespeople: your options
You're up a ladder, under a floor or driving. The phone rings. Here's every realistic way to get those calls answered, from free to fully done for you, and who each one suits.
Checked 11 November 2026. Other companies' prices change; check their sites for the latest.
| Option | Cost | Answers live | Books the job | Out of hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voicemail | Free | No | No | No | Most callers hang up and ring someone else |
| Partner, family or office | Free, or a wage | Sometimes | If they can see your diary | Depends on them | Works until they're busy, on holiday or off sick |
| Answering service (e.g. Moneypenny) | AI from £49/month, receptionists by quote; 3 to 12 month contracts | Yes, a real person or AI | On some plans | Receptionists 8:30am to 6pm as standard; more costs extra | Great for firms that want a person; not built for trades |
| General AI receptionist (e.g. BT AI Receptionist) | Monthly bundles of minutes | Yes | Yes, if you connect a calendar | Yes | You set it up yourself; built for any business, not trades |
| CallVest | From £19/month (Receptionist £69/month, published) | Yes, 24/7 | Yes, into your own diary | Yes, included | Built for trades: urgent jobs and gas or electrical safety calls handled properly |
Pick a human service if…
you want a real person on every call and the budget suits you. Bigger firms with a busy office often go this way.
Pick CallVest if…
you're a trade on the tools, you want calls answered and booked 24/7 for a flat monthly price, and you want it set up for you.
What's the cheapest way to stop missing calls?+
Voicemail is free, but most callers looking for a tradesperson don't leave one; they ring the next number. A missed-call text-back (from about £19 a month with CallVest) is the cheapest step up. An AI receptionist that answers and books the job is the most complete.
Will customers mind talking to an AI?+
Most callers want the job booked quickly. A good AI receptionist sounds natural, takes the details, reads them back and books a slot. Callers can still ask for you, and urgent calls are flagged straight to your phone.
Do I need a new phone number?+
No. You keep your own number and divert missed calls with a short code. See our divert codes.
What about out of hours?+
An AI receptionist answers 24/7 at no extra cost. Human answering services usually charge more, or need a higher plan, for evenings and weekends.
Related
Sources
Moneypenny and BT are trade marks of their owners. CallVest is not connected with either.
Let Vesty take your next call.
14 days free. No card. No contract. Set up for you.