24/7 Plumber Dispatch Service: How to Book Jobs Around the Clock

Learn how plumbers use 24/7 dispatch to capture emergency calls, book after-hours jobs, and grow revenue without hiring staff.

January 23, 202610 min read
24/7 Plumber Dispatch Service: How to Book Jobs Around the Clock

What is 24/7 Plumber Dispatch?

24/7 dispatch means having someone (or something) answer your phone, capture job details, and schedule appointments around the clock—nights, weekends, and holidays.

Why It Matters

Time Period% of CallsWithout DispatchWith Dispatch
Business hours38%Capture 75%Capture 100%
Evenings28%Capture 30%Capture 100%
Weekends24%Capture 20%Capture 100%
Nights10%Capture 5%Capture 100%

62% of plumber calls happen outside business hours. Without 24/7 dispatch, you're losing the majority of opportunities.

Three Ways to Get 24/7 Dispatch

Option 1: AI Dispatch (Best Value)

How it works: AI answers calls, asks relevant questions, and books directly to your calendar.

Cost: $0-50/month

Pros:

  • Instant answer (no hold)

  • Direct calendar booking

  • Emergency detection

  • Trade-specific training

  • Lowest cost


Cons:
  • No human voice

  • Limited complex handling


Best option: Fixly

Learn how Fixly dispatch works →

Option 2: Traditional Dispatch Service

How it works: Live operators answer and relay messages to you.

Cost: $400-800/month

Pros:

  • Human interaction

  • Complex call handling


Cons:
  • Hold times common

  • No calendar integration

  • Quality inconsistent

  • Expensive


Option 3: In-House Dispatcher

How it works: You hire someone for 24/7 coverage (requires multiple shifts).

Cost: $6,000-10,000/month (2-3 people for coverage)

Pros:

  • Full control

  • Handles anything


Cons:
  • Extremely expensive

  • Management overhead

  • Turnover issues


Setting Up 24/7 AI Dispatch

Step 1: Sign Up (Free)

Create your Fixly account at fixlyai.com

Step 2: Connect Your Calendar

Link Google Calendar so jobs book automatically:


Step 3: Configure Your Schedule

Tell Fixly your available hours:


Step 4: Set Up Call Forwarding

Forward your business line to Fixly:


Step 5: Go Live

Start capturing calls 24/7 immediately.

How AI Dispatch Handles Different Call Types

Emergency Calls (Burst Pipes, Sewage, No Hot Water)

  • AI detects urgency keywords

  • Gathers critical info (water shutoff, damage extent)

  • Books to next available emergency slot

  • Sends URGENT text alert to you

  • Customer knows you're coming
  • Emergency Plumber Answering →

    After-Hours Routine Calls

  • AI answers professionally

  • Captures job details

  • Books to next business day

  • Sends confirmation to customer

  • You see it on your calendar in the morning
  • After-Hours Guide →

    Peak Hour Overflow

  • Call comes in while you're on another call

  • AI handles it instantly (no hold)

  • Books job while you finish current call

  • Text notification sent

  • No lost opportunity
  • 24/7 Dispatch Pricing Comparison

    FeatureFixly AITraditionalIn-House
    Monthly base$0$400-800$6,000+
    Per-call fee$0$1-3/minN/A
    Calendar bookingAutomaticManualManual
    Emergency detectionIncludedExtraTrained
    Hold timesNeverCommonPossible
    Quality consistency100%VariesVaries

    Calculate Your 24/7 Dispatch ROI

    Without Dispatch

    • Calls received: 50/week

    • After-hours: 31 calls (62%)

    • After-hours capture: 8 calls (25%)

    • Lost jobs: 23/week

    • Lost revenue: $8,050/week ($350/job)


    With Fixly Dispatch

    • Calls received: 50/week

    • After-hours: 31 calls (62%)

    • After-hours capture: 31 calls (100%)

    • Additional jobs: 23/week

    • Additional revenue: $8,050/week


    Annual revenue increase: $418,600
    Fixly cost: $0-50/month

    Calculate your specific numbers →

    City-Specific Dispatch Guides

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    Start dispatching jobs 24/7 tonight. Try Fixly free →

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a 24/7 dispatch service?

    A 24/7 dispatch service answers your calls around the clock, captures job details, and schedules appointments—even at 3AM. It's like having a receptionist who never sleeps.

    How much does 24/7 dispatch cost?

    Traditional dispatch services cost $400-800/month. AI dispatch (like Fixly) is free for core features, with optional add-ons at $1/job.

    Can I control when jobs get booked?

    Yes. You set your available hours, and the AI books within those windows. Emergency calls can be flagged for immediate attention.

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