AI receptionist and job booking for UK trades
FlowGenix Automations is a UK AI automation consultancy based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, building phone-answering and job-booking systems for plumbers, electricians, heating engineers, locksmiths, boiler engineers, and small trade firms across the UK.
This page is for the owner-operator or director whose phone rings while they are up a ladder, and whose competitors pick up the job because they answered first. We build the AI that answers every call, triages the urgency, quotes standard call-out rates, and books the job into the diary — while you finish the current job.
Why do trades lose jobs to missed calls?
UK homeowners calling a plumber or electrician typically call the second and third number on the search results if the first one does not pick up within 30 seconds. Google's own research on emergency service search confirms it — the majority of enquiries convert to the first responder. If you miss even 3 calls a day at a £120 average job value, that is £10,800 a month walking to a competitor.
What we build for trade businesses
- AI voice receptionist. Answers in a UK voice on the first ring, 24/7. Triages emergency vs standard, captures address, quotes your published call-out rate, and books the job into Google Calendar, ServiceM8, Commusoft, or Tradify.
- 60-second missed-call text-back. Any call you cannot answer triggers a Twilio SMS within 60 seconds saying "Sorry we missed you — reply with your postcode and job type and we'll get you booked in." Most callers reply within 2 minutes and the AI closes the booking without a return call.
- Job scheduling and route optimisation. The AI checks van location and existing jobs before offering a slot, so you are not booked in Reading at 10am and Guildford at 11am. Integrates with your job management software.
- Automated quote follow-up. Quotes sent but not accepted trigger a 3-touch SMS + email nudge over 7 days. Typical acceptance lift is 15–25%.
- Post-job review capture. 48 hours after job completion the customer gets an SMS with a Google review link. Trades on this system typically go from 2–3 reviews a year to 2–3 a week.
Which tools does this run on?
Voice on VAPI with an ElevenLabs UK voice. Numbers and SMS on Twilio (or your existing number ported in). Orchestration on n8n. Data in Supabase where needed. Job management integrations for ServiceM8, Commusoft, Tradify, Jobber, and Fergus. If you use pen and paper today we can start you on a simple Google Calendar + shared inbox and layer job management on later.
How much does an AI receptionist cost a trade business?
Sole trader / 1-van setup: £1,500 build + monthly retainer covering call minutes, hosting, and support. 2–5 vans: £2,000–£3,000 build with dispatch logic. Multi-branch or franchise: £3,000–£4,500. Twilio and VAPI usage on a busy trade line typically runs £40–£90 a month. Full breakdown on the AI receptionist cost guide.
What about out-of-hours emergencies?
You choose. The AI can either take the booking for next-day, or trigger your on-call phone directly for genuine emergencies (burst pipe, no heat with vulnerable person, power out). You set the criteria in plain English during the audit — we turn it into the routing logic.
Frequently asked questions
Can the AI quote a real price?
For call-out rates and standard hourly labour, yes — the AI quotes exactly what you tell it to. For anything requiring inspection (boiler installs, rewires) it books a survey slot rather than guessing a number that will damage your close rate.
Will it work with my existing mobile number?
Yes. You can port your existing mobile or landline to Twilio, or use call forwarding so the AI answers only when you don't. Most sole traders start with forwarding for 2–3 weeks then port once they trust it.
What if the customer wants to speak to a human?
The AI offers to transfer live or book a callback at your next available window. It never insists — that is the fastest way to lose a nervous customer.
Can it handle emergency callouts overnight?
Yes, if you want it to. You define which jobs and postcodes trigger a live transfer to your on-call phone versus a next-morning booking. Everything else the AI books for the first slot the following day.
How fast can I go live?
A sole-trader deployment can go live in 10–14 days from signed proposal. Larger multi-van dispatch integrations run 3–4 weeks.
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Book your free 20-minute automation audit
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