How many calls come in after hours for contractors?

For emergency trades like plumbing, HVAC, and locksmithing, evenings and weekends account for a significant portion of calls. An 8-5 business that's closed weekends is unavailable for about 60-65% of the week.

Should contractors charge more for after-hours work?

Most contractors charge a 25-100% premium for after-hours and emergency work. Customers expect it because they need the problem solved immediately.

Can I capture after-hours leads without working nights?

Yes. An AI receptionist answers the call, captures the details, and schedules a callback. For non-emergencies, customers are fine waiting if they talked to someone.

Free tool

After-hours
leak check

Your phone goes dark at 5pm but customers keep calling. Emergencies don't wait for business hours. See how much revenue you're leaving on the table every month.

Your business

Trade

Average job value

Total calls per week (all hours)

Your business hours

Open

Do you answer on weekends?

Emergency job premium

After-hours jobs often command a premium. Plumbing emergencies, lockouts, etc.

After-hours revenue you're missing

per year (estimated)*

The breakdown

Hours you're closed per week 0

% of week you're unavailable 0%

Est. after-hours calls / week* 0

Est. jobs lost / month (30% close)* 0

Est. monthly revenue lost* $0

*Estimates assume after-hours call volume is proportional to hours closed, with higher weight on evenings and weekends when emergency calls peak. Actual results vary. These projections are for illustrative purposes only.

Your weekly availability

50% open 50% closed

Cover every hour for $299/mo

An AI receptionist answers calls 24/7, captures the emergency details, and texts you. The customer talks to someone immediately. You respond when you can.

0x estimated return on investment*

Your daily coverage gap

Here's what a typical weekday looks like. The red zone is when no one picks up the phone.

12 AM 6 AM 12 PM 6 PM 12 AM

You're covered You're exposed

hours per day uncovered

of the day with no one answering

hours per month of missed calls

When do emergency calls actually come in?

Home emergencies don't wait for business hours. Pipes burst at 2 AM. Furnaces die on Saturday night. The AC goes out on the hottest Sunday of the year.

Peak call windows for emergency home services are 5 PM - 9 PM on weekdays (people get home from work and notice the problem) and all day Saturday/Sunday. If you stop answering at 5 PM, you're missing the highest-value calls of the day.

Mon-Fri 8-5

~35%

Evenings 5-10

~30%

Weekends

~25%

Late night

~10%

Approximate distribution for emergency-heavy trades (plumbing, HVAC, locksmith). Non-emergency trades skew more toward business hours.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide and industry averages. Actual costs and revenue may vary based on your market, business model, and other factors. Consult with a financial professional for specific business decisions.

Last updated: May 2026

Frequently asked questions

How many calls actually come in after hours?+

It depends on your trade. Emergency trades like plumbing, HVAC, and locksmithing see a significant portion of calls outside business hours. For an 8-5 operation that's closed weekends, roughly 60-65% of the week is after hours. Not all calls distribute evenly, but evenings and weekends are disproportionately high for emergencies.

Should I charge more for after-hours work?+

Most contractors charge a 25-100% premium for after-hours and emergency work. Customers expect it and are willing to pay because they need the problem solved now. The premium also compensates you for the disruption to your personal time.

I don't want to work nights and weekends. Can I still capture those leads?+

Yes. An AI receptionist answers the call, captures the details, and schedules a callback for your next business day. For non-emergencies, customers are fine waiting if they talked to someone. For emergencies, you see the text and decide if you want to take it. You control your schedule.