Best Plumber Answering Service 2026: Top 5 Compared
Compare the top 5 plumber answering services for 2026. See pricing, features, pros/cons for Fixly, Ruby, Smith.ai, and more.
Top 5 Plumber Answering Services for 2026
We compared the leading answering services for plumbers based on pricing, features, and contractor-specific capabilities.
Rankings Overview
| Rank | Service | Type | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fixly | AI | $0-50 | Most plumbers |
| 2 | Ruby Receptionist | Human | $350-600 | Premium feel |
| 3 | Smith.ai | Hybrid | $400-700 | Legal/professional |
| 4 | AnswerConnect | Human | $280-500 | Budget call center |
| 5 | MAP Communications | Human | $200-400 | Basic coverage |
#1: Fixly (Best Overall)
Pricing
- Core features: Free
- Optional add-ons: $1/job
Pros
- ✅ Free 24/7 coverage
- ✅ Direct Google Calendar booking
- ✅ Plumber-specific AI training
- ✅ Emergency detection
- ✅ Instant answer (no hold)
Cons
- ❌ No human voice
- ❌ Limited complex sales calls
Best For
Solo plumbers to mid-size companies who want maximum value.
#2: Ruby Receptionist
Pricing
- Base: $189-399/month
- Per-minute: $1.75-2.50
- Typical: $350-600/month
Pros
- ✅ Human receptionists
- ✅ Professional image
- ✅ Customizable scripts
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Hold times at peak
- ❌ No calendar integration
- ❌ Generic (not plumber-specific)
Best For
Plumbers who value human touch over cost savings.
#3: Smith.ai
Pricing
- Base: $240-600/month
- Per-call: $6-7
- Typical: $400-700/month
Pros
- ✅ AI + human hybrid
- ✅ Live transfer available
- ✅ Calendar integration
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Designed for law firms
- ❌ Not plumber-specific
Best For
Multi-service businesses with legal/professional needs.
#4: AnswerConnect
Pricing
- Base: $149-299/month
- Per-minute: $1.20-1.80
- Typical: $280-500/month
Pros
- ✅ Lower cost than Ruby
- ✅ 24/7 available
- ✅ Customizable
Cons
- ❌ Hold times
- ❌ Generic scripts
- ❌ Manual message relay
Best For
Budget-conscious plumbers who want human answering.
Compare: Fixly vs AnswerConnect →
#5: MAP Communications
Pricing
- Base: $39-149/month
- Per-minute: $1.00-1.50
- Typical: $200-400/month
Pros
- ✅ Lowest human option
- ✅ Basic coverage
Cons
- ❌ Limited hours tiers
- ❌ Basic features only
- ❌ Quality concerns
Best For
Very budget-conscious, low call volume.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Fixly | Ruby | Smith.ai | AnswerConnect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0-50 | $350-600 | $400-700 | $280-500 |
| 24/7 included | ✅ | Extra | ✅ | Extra |
| Calendar booking | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Plumber-specific | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Emergency detect | ✅ | ❌ | Limited | ❌ |
| Hold times | Never | Common | Rare | Common |
Our Recommendation
For most plumbers: Fixly
- Free core features save $3,000-7,000/year
- 24/7 coverage included
- Direct calendar booking
- Plumber-specific AI
Start free at fixlyai.com
Related Resources
- Plumber Answering Service Guide
- Emergency Plumber Answering
- How to Never Miss a Call
- Missed Call Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best answering service for plumbers?
For most plumbers, Fixly offers the best value: free core features, 24/7 coverage, and direct calendar booking. Traditional call centers cost $200-600/month for similar functionality.
Do I need a plumber-specific answering service?
Yes. Generic services miss trade-specific details and can't assess emergency urgency properly. Purpose-built services capture more jobs.
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