How much do missed calls cost your business?
A missed call costs you whatever that caller would have paid you. A caller who reaches voicemail can simply call the next business on the list. You can work out what that costs your own business in two minutes with three numbers.
The three numbers you need
- Missed calls a week. Check your phone’s call log for calls you didn’t answer, including after hours and weekends.
- How many callers become customers. Out of every 10 people who reach you, how many book? If 3 do, that’s 30%.
- What one job is worth. Your average invoice, not your biggest one.
The math, with example numbers by profession
Missed calls a week × callers who would have booked × average job = what you lose each week. Here is how it can look in five kinds of business:
| Business | Missed calls a week | Would have booked | Average job | Lost each week | Lost each month (about 4.3 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing company | 10 | 30% | $300 | $900 | about $3,900 |
| HVAC company | 10 | 30% | $350 | $1,050 | about $4,550 |
| Roofing company | 3 | 20% | $8,000 | $4,800 | about $20,800 |
| Cleaning company | 10 | 30% | $150 | $450 | about $1,950 |
| Hair salon or barbershop | 10 | 30% | $60 | $180 | about $780 |
These are example numbers, not industry averages. Put your own into the missed call cost calculator to see your result.
Why missed calls happen
- You’re on a job, under a sink or with a client.
- The call comes after hours or on a weekend.
- Several people call at once, like the first hot day of summer.
- Your front desk is on another line or at lunch.
Ways to stop losing them
| Option | Good | Not so good |
|---|---|---|
| Voicemail | Free | Many callers hang up without a message |
| Call back fast | Free | Only works if they haven’t booked someone else yet |
| Hire a receptionist | A person on the phone | Salary, sick days, only one call at a time |
| Answering service | A person takes a message | You still have to call back; paid per minute or per call |
| AI receptionist | Answers every call at once, 24/7, books the visit | Some callers prefer a person (it can transfer them) |
What an AI receptionist would cost for the same calls
Take the plumbing example: 10 calls a week at about 3 minutes each is around 130 minutes a month. With Maurie AI’s AI Receptionist 100 package that’s $49 for the first 100 minutes plus 30 extra minutes at $0.30, about $58 a month, against about $3,900 in lost jobs.
You can try it with 10 free minutes of test calls before you pay. See how the AI Phone Receptionist works.
Common questions
Do I have to answer every call with AI?
No. You can let it take only the calls your team misses, or only after hours.
Can I keep my number?
Yes. Forward it to the receptionist. See How to forward your business calls.
What if a caller wants a person?
During your hours it transfers the call to your team. After hours it takes a message and creates a call-back task.