What does your answering
service really cost?
Per-minute and per-call pricing punishes you for growing. Enter your call volume and see how the top answering services stack up against a flat rate AI receptionist.
Your call volume
Pull your last answering service invoice for exact numbers. The average home service contractor handles 50 to 150 calls per month.
Monthly cost at your volume
| Service | Pricing Model | Base Cost | Your Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | vs. Turnkey |
|---|
Best value at your volume
You save up to
per year
Breakeven analysis
At what monthly call volume does Turnkey Dispatch (Call Capture, $299/mo) become cheaper than each competitor?
What this means for you
Next steps
- Pull your last answering service invoice and enter the exact monthly cost above.
- Find your average call length. Most phone systems or answering services report this.
- Decide your coverage needs: overflow only, after-hours, or full 24/7 coverage.
What to do next
Try Turnkey as overflow first.
Keep your current answering service and let AI catch what it misses. No contracts, no per-minute billing, and no setup fees. See the difference in the first week.
Competitor pricing shown is based on publicly available information as of May 2026 and may not reflect current rates. Contact each provider for current pricing. Turnkey Dispatch pricing is accurate as of the date shown. All cost projections are estimates based on the inputs you provide and do not constitute a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Why is per-minute pricing bad for contractors? +
Per-minute services charge you more when call volume goes up. That means your busiest months (when you should be most profitable) become your most expensive answering service months. Emergency calls and detailed service requests tend to run longer, so the calls that matter most cost the most to handle. A flat rate plan removes that penalty entirely.
How does an AI receptionist compare to a human answering service? +
Human answering services use operators who handle calls for dozens of companies simultaneously. They follow scripts but usually cannot answer detailed questions about your services, pricing, or availability. An AI receptionist is trained on your specific business. It knows your service area, your services, your hours, and can book appointments according to your rules. It also never puts callers on hold to look up information.
Can I use Turnkey Dispatch alongside my current answering service? +
Yes. Many contractors start by using Turnkey as overflow. Your current service handles calls during business hours, and Turnkey catches everything that falls through: after-hours calls, busy-line overflow, and weekends. Once you see the results, you can decide whether to switch entirely.
What happens when I exceed my included minutes? +
Turnkey Dispatch charges a flat per-minute overage. Call Capture plan overages are $2.00 per minute, Front Desk is $1.50, and Growth Desk is $1.00. You only pay for the minutes you actually use beyond your included allotment. No surprises on your bill.
Is the competitor pricing in this calculator accurate? +
The pricing shown is based on publicly available information as of May 2026. Answering services change their pricing frequently. We recommend contacting each provider directly for a current quote. The goal of this calculator is to give you a ballpark comparison so you can see how different pricing models scale with your call volume.