Missed call text-back software for trades
Updated September 11, 2026
Missed call text-back software for trades texts a caller back within about 30 seconds of an unanswered call, asks the questions a dispatcher for that trade would ask, and emails the owner a lead summary. AnswerBot does this for HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roofing shops from $129 CAD per month. No AI voice answers the phone. The caller gets a text from a local number and you call them back.
The difference between a generic text-back tool and one built for trades is the second message. Anyone can send "Sorry we missed you." A trades tool knows that a plumber needs to hear whether the shut-off is reachable, an electrician needs to know about a burning smell before anything else, and a roofer needs the storm date because the insurance claim depends on it. The lead that lands in your inbox is only as useful as the questions that were asked.
What to look for, and what AnswerBot does
| What to look for | AnswerBot (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Text-back speed | About 30 seconds after the missed call |
| Questions asked | Nearest intersection or address, first name, the issue, plus one detail set per trade (table below). Pro plans can replace these with custom questions. |
| Photo capture | Yes on Growth and Pro. The caller texts a photo of the unit, leak, panel or damage; it arrives with the lead. |
| AI voice on the phone | None. Nothing talks to your callers. Text only, then your call back. |
| Your phone number | You keep it. AnswerBot provides a dedicated local number your line forwards to only when you do not answer. |
| Setup | About five minutes: one conditional call forwarding code dialed from the business phone. No app. |
| Where the lead goes | Email to the owner with caller, intersection, issue, photo and the full transcript, plus a dashboard. |
| Price | Starter $129 CAD/mo (25 engaged leads, 1 location). Growth $199 (75 engaged leads, photos, 3 locations). Pro $349 (unlimited engaged leads, custom questions, 10 locations). Annual: $109 / $169 / $296 per month. USD is the same number. |
| Trial | 14 days free, card required, nothing charged during the trial. |
| Compliance | Every text carries a STOP opt-out (CASL). Canada and the US. |
What the text asks, by trade
Every trade gets the same three basics first: the nearest intersection or address (so you know the job is in your service area), the caller's first name, and a description of the issue. Then one trade-specific detail. These are the exact defaults AnswerBot runs today.
| Trade | Trade-specific detail asked | Photo asked for (Growth and Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | How old the unit is, if they know (after the issue: no heat, no cool, leaking, short-cycling) | a photo of the unit if reachable |
| Plumbing | Whether the shut-off is reachable (after the issue: leak, no hot water, clog) | a photo of the leak if reachable |
| Electrical | Any burning smell or sparks (after the issue: no power in a room, breaker tripping) | a photo of the panel if reachable |
| Roofing | The storm date, and whether they are filing insurance (after the issue: storm damage, leak, missing shingles) | a photo of the damage from the ground if safely visible |
No annoying AI voice
People hang up on AI voices. A homeowner who just got sent to voicemail does not want to argue with a robot that answers the phone next. AnswerBot never puts an AI voice on the line. The missed caller gets a plain text from a local number, answers a few questions in their own time, and you call them back with the details already in hand.
If a caller texts "can I talk to a person", the reply is that the owner will call them back. The text is the bridge to a human, not a replacement for one.
Who this is for, and who it is not for
For: owner-operators and 1 to 5 truck shops
You answer your own phone when you can and miss it when you are under a sink, on a roof, or driving. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, garage door, locksmith, towing, appliance repair, landscaping and auto repair.
Not for: businesses with a front desk
If someone already answers every call, your problem is not missed calls. A full receptionist service fits better than text-back.
Not a booking tool
AnswerBot captures the lead and hands it to you. It does not book appointments or quote prices; callers who ask for a price are told you will call them back.
An example, with your own numbers
Take a plumber on the road five days a week who misses 10 calls in a week. If the average ticket is $350 and one in four missed callers becomes a job when someone follows up fast, that is roughly 10 jobs and $3,500 a month, against a $129 plan. Your numbers will differ; the calculator uses yours.
Run your own numbers in the calculatorWhat setup looks like
About five minutes. You dial a conditional call forwarding code on the business phone (Rogers, Bell, Telus, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and most other carriers). Calls you do not pick up route to your AnswerBot number. Calls you answer go through exactly as before. You keep your existing number and there is no app to install.
See how it works step by stepTry it for 14 days, no charge
Free for 14 days, credit card required at signup. Nothing is charged during the trial. Cancel before day 14 if it is not the right fit and you owe nothing.
See pricing and start your free trial