The True Cost of Missed Calls for Contractors: 2026 Data
Every missed call costs contractors $1,200 in lifetime value. See the real data on how unanswered calls destroy your business.
The $45,500 Problem Hiding in Your Phone
Most contractors don't track missed calls. That's a mistake.
The average contractor misses 3-5 calls per week. At $350 per job, that's $54,600-$91,000 in lost revenue annually—and that's before considering lifetime customer value.
The Missed Call Cascade
When a homeowner can't reach you:
True cost of one missed call: $1,200-$3,000 in lifetime value
The Data: Contractor Call Statistics (2026)
Call Timing Analysis
| Time Period | % of Calls | Typical Answer Rate | Revenue at Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business hours | 38% | 75% | $12,000/year |
| Evenings (5-9PM) | 28% | 30% | $28,000/year |
| Weekends | 24% | 20% | $31,000/year |
| Nights (9PM-8AM) | 10% | 5% | $8,000/year |
62% of calls happen outside business hours, but most contractors only answer 25% of these.
Voicemail Myth Destroyed
Contractors often think, "They'll leave a message."
Reality check:
- 85% of callers do NOT leave voicemail
- Of those who do, only 35% answer when you call back
- That's a 5% capture rate from voicemail
Calculate your specific voicemail losses →
Speed to Answer Matters
| Answer Time | Booking Rate |
|---|---|
| Live answer | 85% |
| Call back in 5 min | 60% |
| Call back in 30 min | 35% |
| Call back in 1 hour | 20% |
| Call back next day | 5% |
First to answer wins. That's why AI answering changes everything.
Trade-Specific Missed Call Costs
Plumbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average job value | $350 |
| Emergency premium | +60% ($560) |
| Missed calls/week | 4 |
| Annual lost revenue | $72,800 |
Emergency plumber calls are highest value. When a pipe bursts at 3AM, the homeowner will pay anything—but only to the plumber who answers.
HVAC Technicians
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average job value | $400 |
| Emergency premium | +55% ($620) |
| Missed calls/week | 5 |
| Annual lost revenue | $104,000 |
Summer AC failures are life-or-death in Phoenix/Houston. These calls have 95%+ conversion rates—if you answer.
Electricians
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average job value | $375 |
| Emergency premium | +65% ($619) |
| Missed calls/week | 3 |
| Annual lost revenue | $58,500 |
Landscapers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average job value | $250 |
| Recurring contract value | $2,400/year |
| Missed calls/week | 3 |
| Annual lost revenue | $39,000 + contracts |
🧮 Calculate YOUR Missed Call Cost
Use our free tools to see your specific losses:
Missed Call Calculator
Input your:
- Average job value
- Estimated missed calls per week
- Your answer rate
Get your annual lost revenue number.
After-Hours Calculator
Calculate specifically:
- Evening call value
- Weekend call value
- Holiday call value
- After-hours premium potential
ROI Calculator
See what happens when you:
- Capture 100% of calls
- Book directly to calendar
- Automate follow-ups
The Solution: 100% Answer Rate
Why AI Answering Beats Alternatives
| Solution | Answer Rate | Cost/Month | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just you | 40-60% | $0 | Limited |
| Voicemail | 5% effective | $0 | 24/7 but useless |
| Call center | 85% | $200-500 | 24/7 |
| Employee | 70% | $3,000+ | Limited |
| Fixly AI | 100% | Free | 24/7/365 |
How Fixly Works
City-Specific Missed Call Data
High-Volume Markets
- Houston — 4.7M metro, highest call volume in Texas
- Phoenix — 4.9M metro, summer emergencies
- Dallas — 7.6M metro, fierce competition
- Miami — Bilingual market, tourism properties
Fast-Growing Markets
- Austin — Tech workers expect instant response
- Tampa — Hurricane damage spikes
- Frisco — #1 fastest growing city
Related Resources
Guides
- After-Hours Answering Guide
- AI Answering for Contractors
- Emergency Plumber Answering
- Emergency HVAC Answering
Help Center
Tools
---
Stop the bleeding. Calculate your losses →, then try Fixly free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a missed call actually cost?
The average missed call costs contractors $350-$500 in immediate revenue. When you factor in repeat business and referrals, the lifetime value is $1,200+.
What percentage of callers leave voicemail?
Only 15-20% of callers leave voicemail. The other 80-85% hang up and call your competitor.
How fast do I need to answer?
Studies show 85% of callers who don't reach someone on the first try will NOT call back. You need to answer live, every time.
Related Articles
Emergency Plumber Answering Service: Never Lose a 3AM Call Again
Emergency plumbing calls are worth 3x regular jobs. Learn how AI answering captures every burst pipe, sewage backup, and water heater failure 24/7.
After Hours Answering Service for Contractors: Capture Jobs While You Sleep
Learn how after-hours answering services help contractors capture emergency calls and book jobs outside business hours. Compare options, costs, and setup for plumbers, HVAC, and electricians.
AI Answering Service for Contractors: The 2026 Buyer's Guide
Everything contractors need to know about AI phone answering. How it works, what it costs, top providers compared, and whether AI is right for your plumbing, HVAC, or electrical business.
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.