The Working Desk
Playbook #1 · The 24/7 Front Desk

Every missed call is a job for your competitor.

Most callers won’t leave a voicemail. Here’s how to answer every call – without hiring anyone.

The three levels

Answer every lead, even when you are on a job.

Start at Level 1 and add a level when you are ready.

Level 1

Missed-call auto-text

Miss a call and your business line instantly texts back with a question and a booking link.

Auto-text · sent instantly

Sorry I missed you! What can we help with? Book here: [link]

Level 2

AI text assistant

The auto-text starts a chat. AI asks what, where, and when, offers open times, and hands you a qualified lead.

Level 3

AI receptionist

AI answers the call live, handles common questions, and books the job. Two ways to get one:

Buy itQuo + Sona
  • Live in an afternoon
  • No tech skills needed
  • Cost rises with call volume
Build itRetell AI
  • About 13–15¢ a minute + $2/mo number
  • About $35–50 for 100 calls a month
  • A weekend of setup
Free setup checklist

The 24/7 Front Desk: Setup Checklist

Answer every lead, even when you are on a job. Start at Level 1 and add a level when you are ready.

0 of 19 done
1Start here

Map where leads reach you

For each one, write down who answers it today and where the lead ends up.

2Level 1

Missed-call text

Example text

Hi, this is [Name] at [Business]. Sorry we missed your call. We will call you back. What can we help you with?

3Level 2

AI text assistant

4Level 3

AI receptionist

Comment BUILD for the step-by-step AI Agent Build Plan.

5Every level

Every lead lands in one place

6Rules for any AI assistant

Before it talks to customers

  • It says it is an AI assistant, at the start and whenever asked.
  • It never quotes a firm price. You give prices.
  • Emergencies go straight to your phone.
  • It never promises an appointment time it cannot see on your calendar.
  • When a customer asks for a person, it hands off to a human.
7Test

Test it like a customer

Download the 1-page PDF
Tool guide

Answer Every Customer: The 24/7 Front Desk Tool Guide

Ready-made tools that answer your calls and texts when you can’t, compared side by side with real prices. Pick a level, pick a tool, and be set up this week. No building required.

Prices checked September 25, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.

The three levels at a glance

Level 1

Missed-call auto-text

Texts every caller you miss, so they don’t call the next business on the list.

Starting prices: About $14 to $59 a month

Level 2

AI text assistant

Answers texts and website chats for you, asks what they need, and can book the job.

Starting prices: $29 a month add-on and up, or quote only

Level 3

AI receptionist

Answers the phone 24/7, takes the details, and books or transfers the call.

Starting prices: $0 (25 calls) to $79 a month to start

How to read the tool cards

  • Starting price is the lowest plan that does the job, and what that plan includes. “Billed yearly” means you pay for 12 months up front.
  • Watch-out is the one thing most likely to surprise you after you sign up.
  • Tools are listed in no particular order. Every price and feature comes from the vendor’s own pricing page or help center.
  • Grey labels such as check pricing page or Price not listed mark details the vendor’s own site did not publish when we checked.
Level 1

Missed-call auto-text

When you can’t pick up, the caller gets a text from your business number within seconds. You call or text them back when you’re free.

Quo (formerly OpenPhone)

Business phone app for your cell and computer. Auto-texts callers you miss.

Starting price (what it includes)
$19/user/mo, or $15 billed yearly. One number per user, unlimited US and Canada calls and texts. Missed-call auto-replies on every plan.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days
Best for
Owners who want a separate business line on the cell phone they already carry
Watch-out
Texting needs carrier registration: $19.50 one-time, plus $1.50 to $3 a month.

Grasshopper

Virtual business number. “Instant Response” texts callers you can’t answer.

Starting price (what it includes)
$14/mo billed yearly (True Solo: 1 number, 1 extension). Instant Response is on all three plans.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days, no card
Best for
Solo owners who want the simplest add-on number
Watch-out
It texts new callers only. Texting registration: $19.50 one-time plus $1.50 a month. Monthly-billing price: check pricing page.

Housecall Pro

Field-service software. Its Voice phone feature can text callers you miss.

Starting price (what it includes)
$59/mo billed yearly ($79 monthly) for the Basic plan. Voice is a separate plan: check pricing page.
Free trial
Yes, 14 days, no card
Best for
Home-service businesses already running on Housecall Pro
Watch-out
Its help center says the text goes to existing customers, so brand-new callers may not get one.

TextBack

Standalone app. Texts missed callers, asks what they need, and sends you a summary. Works with your current number through call forwarding.

Starting price (what it includes)
$49/mo for 500 texts. First month is $10 as an intro offer.
Free trial
No (30-day money-back guarantee)
Best for
Trades who want text-back without switching phone apps
Watch-out
Newer, smaller company, so read reviews first. US only.
How to choose: If you like your current phone app, turn on its missed-call text first. It may already be included. If not, pick the tool that lets customers keep calling the number they already know.
Level 2

AI text assistant

An AI (artificial intelligence) assistant answers texts and website chats for you. It answers common questions, asks what the customer needs, and hands the lead to you or books the job.

Quo Sona (texting)

Texts back when a lead texts in or you miss a call, answers questions, and collects their details.

Starting price (what it includes)
Included with any Quo plan (from $19/user/mo). The texting feature is free while it’s in beta.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days (Quo)
Best for
Quo users who want AI replies by text
Watch-out
It’s a beta feature, so it may change or get its own price later.

Jobber Receptionist

AI that answers texts and calls to your Jobber number and can book jobs into your Jobber calendar.

Starting price (what it includes)
$29/mo add-on for 30 conversations, then $0.79 each. Unlimited on the Plus plan ($499/mo). Needs a Jobber plan (Core lists at $49/mo).
Free trial
Yes (Jobber trial, no card)
Best for
Home-service businesses that schedule in Jobber
Watch-out
Sold as an add-on to “select plans,” and you need a Jobber dedicated phone number.

Housecall Pro CSR AI

AI built into Housecall Pro that answers website chats and calls and books jobs on your schedule.

Starting price (what it includes)
Price not listed check pricing page. Needs a Housecall Pro plan (from $59/mo billed yearly).
Free trial
Housecall Pro: 14 days
Best for
Home-service businesses that schedule in Housecall Pro
Watch-out
Answering texts is still listed as “coming soon” (alpha).

Rosie (website chat and texting)

AI chat on your website. Optional add-on for AI text conversations with website visitors.

Starting price (what it includes)
Chat widget comes with any Rosie plan (from $49/mo). Website Texting add-on: $50/mo for 25 conversations, then $1 each.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days
Best for
Businesses that also want Rosie answering the phone (Level 3)
Watch-out
Chat and texting ride on a Rosie phone plan. They aren’t sold on their own.

Podium AI Employee

AI that answers texts, webchat, calls, email, and social messages from one inbox, and schedules.

Starting price (what it includes)
Quote only
Free trial
Not listed
Best for
Busier or multi-location businesses
Watch-out
No public pricing, so you’ll need a sales call.
How to choose: If you already run your jobs on Jobber or Housecall Pro, start with the AI built into it, because it can see your calendar. Otherwise, pick the tool attached to the phone number or website customers already use.
Level 3

AI receptionist

An AI voice assistant answers your phone 24/7. It says it’s an AI, answers basic questions, takes the caller’s details, and books the job, sends a booking link, or transfers the call to you.

Quo Sona

AI agent that answers calls 24/7, answers common questions, texts a scheduling link mid-call, and transfers calls.

Starting price (what it includes)
Included on every Quo plan (from $19/user/mo) with 10 AI-answered calls a month. More: $25/mo for 40 calls, $49 for 100, $99 for 250. Or $1.00 per extra call.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days
Best for
Quo users with a low call volume
Watch-out
Books by sending a scheduling link. It doesn’t book straight into your calendar.

Rosie

AI answering service that learns your business from your Google profile and website.

Starting price (what it includes)
$49/mo for 250 minutes (Professional). Booking straight into your calendar and live transfers start at Scale: $149/mo for 1,000 minutes.
Free trial
Yes, 7 days
Best for
Solo owners who mainly need messages taken
Watch-out
The $49 plan sends booking links. Calendar booking needs the $149 plan.

Upfirst

AI receptionist priced per call. Answers every call, overflow only, or after hours.

Starting price (what it includes)
$24.95/mo for 30 calls ($20/mo billed yearly), then $1.50 per extra call. Booking, transfers, and call summaries included.
Free trial
Yes, 14 days
Best for
Low call volume and a tight budget
Watch-out
Extra calls add up fast in a busy month.

Goodcall

AI phone agent with unlimited minutes, priced by unique callers.

Starting price (what it includes)
$79/mo per agent ($66/mo billed yearly). 100 unique callers a month, then $0.50 each.
Free trial
Advertised. Terms not listed
Best for
Busy lines with long calls
Watch-out
The Starter plan keeps only 7 days of call and customer details.

Smith.ai AI Receptionist

AI answers first. Complex calls can go to Smith.ai’s live North America-based receptionists.

Starting price (what it includes)
Free plan: 25 calls/mo, then $3.00 per call. Pro: $150/mo for 75 calls ($2.00 each), then $2.50 per extra call.
Free trial
Free plan instead of a trial
Best for
Owners who want a human backup behind the AI
Watch-out
Cost of a live-agent handoff isn’t listed. Spam that gets through counts, and cancelling takes 30 days’ notice.

Prefer a real person? All-human answering costs more. Smith.ai’s human receptionists start at $300/mo for 30 calls. Ruby starts at $250/mo for 50 minutes.

How to choose: Count your calls for one week first. Low volume: a per-call plan (Upfirst, Smith.ai Free) or Quo Sona if you already use Quo. Long calls: pricing that doesn’t charge by the minute (Goodcall, Upfirst, Smith.ai). Want a person behind the AI: Smith.ai.
Choose

Which level fits you?

You miss a few calls a week and usually call back the same day.

Start here: Level 1: missed-call auto-text

Customers text you or use your website chat, and wait hours for an answer.

Start here: Level 2: AI text assistant

You miss calls every day, or callers hang up instead of leaving a voicemail.

Start here: Level 3: AI receptionist

You don’t have to pick just one. Start at Level 1 and add a level when you’re ready. Some tools cover two levels: Quo Sona and Jobber Receptionist answer both calls and texts, and Rosie’s phone plans include website chat.

Ask these before you buy

  • Can I keep my current number? Most tools work by forwarding calls you don’t answer.
  • How is it priced? Per user, per minute, per call, or per conversation. What happens when I go over?
  • Does it book into my calendar, or just send a link?
  • Can it hand a caller to me, or to a real person?
  • Does it tell customers it’s an AI? It should, at the start and whenever asked.
  • Are there texting fees? US carriers require business texting registration, usually a one-time fee plus a small monthly fee.
  • Test it during the trial. From another phone, call and text your number and see exactly what a customer gets.
Download the tool guide PDF (5 pages)
Sources

Checked September 25, 2026 on each vendor’s own site: quo.com/pricing, quo.com/sona, quo.com/product/messaging/automated-text-messages, grasshopper.com/pricing, housecallpro.com/pricing, housecallpro.com/features/csr-ai, help.housecallpro.com (Voice Settings Overview), textbackapp.com, getjobber.com/pricing, help.getjobber.com (Receptionist powered by Jobber AI), heyrosie.com/pricing, podium.com/pricing, podium.com/product/ai-employee, upfirst.ai/pricing, goodcall.com/pricing, smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist, smith.ai/pricing/receptionists, ruby.com/pricing.

Rather build your own?

Comment BUILD for the AI Agent Build Plan.

Open @the_working_deskBack to home