Fixly vs Traditional Answering Services: Which Is Better for Contractors?
Side-by-side comparison of AI answering (Fixly) vs traditional answering services for home service businesses.
Fixly vs Traditional Answering Services
Both answer your phone. Both capture leads. But they work very differently.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fixly | Traditional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $200-500 |
| Per-call cost | $1/booking | Often included |
| Books into calendar | Yes | Rarely |
| 24/7 | Yes | Extra cost |
| Sounds human | Yes (AI) | Yes (human) |
| Consistent quality | Always | Varies by agent |
When Fixly Wins
High volume, routine calls
100 calls/month needing simple booking? Fixly handles all of them for ~$50-100.
After-hours
Fixly works 24/7 at no extra cost. Traditional services charge premiums.
Instant booking
Fixly checks your calendar and books. Traditional takes a message.
Consistency
Same AI, same quality, every call. No bad days.
When Traditional Wins
Complex conversations
If most calls need detailed technical discussion, humans are better.
Caller preference
Some demographics prefer human conversation.
Brand-specific requirements
Highly customized scripts or processes.
Cost Comparison
Scenario: 80 calls/month, 60 bookings
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Traditional | $300/month fixed |
| Fixly | $60/month (60 × $1) |
Savings with Fixly: $240/month = $2,880/year
The Hybrid Approach
Use both:
- Fixly for after-hours and overflow
- You or staff for complex/high-value calls
Best of both worlds.
Verdict
For most solo operators and small teams, Fixly delivers more value at lower cost. Traditional services make sense for larger operations with complex needs.
Try Fixly free. See if it works for your call patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fixly replacing human receptionists?
For routine booking calls, yes. Complex situations still benefit from humans—but those are rare.
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Ready to Stop Missing Calls?
Fixly answers your calls, books jobs into Google Calendar, and sends follow-ups. Free to start. Pay only when it works.