Can your phone survive
the first heat wave?
When busy season hits, call volume doubles or triples. Can your phone system handle the surge, or will callers hit voicemail and call the next contractor?
Your business
Average time on-site per job, including travel between jobs.
Normal vs. peak volume
Plumbing peak season multiplier: 1.8x
Weekly overflow calls
Your team can handle peak volume
The breakdown
Revenue at risk
Weekly revenue at risk
Peak season (16 weeks)
Peak season lost jobs
Enter your numbers above to see how much revenue your peak season overflow costs you.
52-week call volume vs. capacity
The red area above your capacity line represents calls your team cannot handle.
The math on covering your overflow
Turnkey Dispatch cost
4 months of peak season = $1,196
Revenue you recover
Over 16-week peak season
ROI
Return on your answering service investment
Typical peak season call spike
HVAC and landscaping companies regularly see call volume double or triple during their busy months.
Callers who won't leave a voicemail
Most customers who reach voicemail simply hang up and call the next contractor on the list.
Average peak season length
Most trades have a 3-4 month window where call volume spikes well above normal levels.
Frequently asked questions
When is peak season for my trade?+
It depends on the trade. HVAC peaks in summer (AC) and winter (heating). Plumbing spikes in winter (frozen pipes) and spring (thaw damage). Roofing and landscaping are busiest spring through summer. Pest control ramps up in spring when insects and rodents become active. Electrical contractors see surges during storm seasons. Most trades have a 3-4 month window of significantly higher call volume.
How do I know if I'm losing calls during peak season?+
Check your phone system's missed call log. If you see calls going to voicemail or ringing out during business hours, those are lost leads. Another sign: your Google Business Profile shows more "calls" than your actual call log. The gap between those numbers is your leak. During peak season, even a few missed calls per day adds up to thousands in lost revenue over 16 weeks.
Can I just hire a temp receptionist for busy season?+
You can, but the math usually doesn't work. A part-time receptionist costs $15-$20/hour, runs $2,400-$3,200/month for full-time coverage. They need training on your business, can't work 24/7, and take sick days. An AI answering service like Turnkey Dispatch costs $299/month, answers every call instantly, works nights and weekends, and never needs training. For seasonal overflow specifically, it's a fraction of the cost.
What happens to overflow calls if I do nothing?+
Most go to your competitors. Research shows 62% of callers who reach voicemail won't leave a message. They hang up and call the next company on the list. Even the 38% who do leave voicemails often call someone else while waiting for a callback. By the time you return their call, they've already booked with another contractor. During peak season, every unanswered call is essentially a gift to your competition.
Should I keep an answering service year-round or just during peak season?+
Year-round delivers more value. Even during slow months, you miss calls when you're on a job site, driving, or eating lunch. An answering service captures those leads 365 days a year. But if budget is tight, starting with just peak season coverage is a smart move. At $299/month for 4 months ($1,196 total), even recovering 3-4 jobs covers the entire cost. Most contractors who start seasonal end up keeping it year-round once they see the ROI.
More free tools for contractors
Cover your peak season overflow for $299/month.
Turnkey Dispatch answers every call you can't get to, captures the lead, and texts you the details. Never lose a peak season customer again.
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