Tired of missing calls on the job but not sure which answering tool is worth it? Here's what the real options cost in 2026, who each one fits, and where they trip people up. No spin.
Do-it-yourself tools (Rosie, Goodcall) are cheap monthly and you set them up yourself. You scan your website or fill in forms, write your own call logic, and keep it updated as your business changes. Great if you enjoy tinkering and have the time.
Done-for-you services (Edge Solutions) build the receptionist around your business, put it live on your number, and tune it for you every week. You don't configure anything. You just take the booked jobs.
Human and hybrid services (Smith.ai) put live people (or people plus AI) on your calls. The most flexible on a weird call, and the most expensive, usually billed per call.
| Edge Solutions | Goodcall | Rosie | Smith.ai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Done-for-you AI | DIY AI | DIY AI | Human + AI |
| Who sets it up | We build & run it for you | You do | You do | They do (managed) |
| Monthly | $200 flat | $79–$249 | $49–$299 | $95 (AI) · $292–$975 (human) |
| Setup fee | $800 one-time (we build it) | None | None | None |
| Per-call fees | None | Per extra caller | Minute caps | ~$10 per extra call |
| Tuned to your business | Yes, every week | You maintain it | You maintain it | Scripted by them |
| Books jobs to your calendar | Yes | Yes | On higher tiers | Yes |
| Best for | Contractors who want it handled | DIY, lower volume | Cheapest DIY start | Bigger budgets, live people |
Competitor prices as of May 2026, from each provider's published pricing pages (goodcall.com, heyrosie.com, smith.ai). Plans and prices change; check theirs for the latest.
Cheapest monthly. You scan your site, write the call flows, and keep it current yourself. Good fit if you have the time and like setting up software.
Real receptionists (or people plus AI), strong on unusual calls. Expect to pay more, billed per call, which adds up on busy months.
We build it around your business, put it live on your number, and tune it weekly. Flat $200/mo, no per-call meter, no setup work on you. Hear it answer a real call before you decide.
Working right now: a real contractor went live with our receptionist and it caught 17 calls in the first 48 hours (one after hours, one hang-up that got an instant text back). The owner answered none of them and didn't lose the leads.
In 2026, DIY tools you set up yourself run about $49–$249/mo with no setup fee. Hybrid human services like Smith.ai run $95/mo for AI up to $292–$975/mo for human plans, plus per-call fees. Done-for-you services that build and run it for you, like Edge, are about $200/mo flat with a one-time setup around $800.
With DIY tools, yes. With a done-for-you service like Edge, no, we build it around your business, put it live on your number, and keep it tuned, so you don't configure or maintain anything.
For most contractors, a well-built AI answers every call instantly 24/7 at a flat price with no per-call fee. Human services handle unusual conversations well but cost more and bill per call. A managed AI tuned to your business handles the routine calls (qualify, book, message) that are most of your volume.
If you miss calls while you're on a job, yes. Most callers who hit voicemail never call back, so one missed call can be a lost job worth far more than the monthly cost. One recovered job usually covers it several times over.
That's what we do. Hear the receptionist answer a live call, then tell us about your business.
$800 setup · $200/mo · custom setups quoted before any charge