Akol for Plumbers
You’re under a sink fixing a leak when the phone rings. Then it rings again. And again. Every missed call is a lost job — and that lost job could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Akol answers every call, books the appointment, and you don’t even have to put down your wrench.
Why Plumbers Love Akol
| Problem | How Akol Solves It |
|---|---|
| Missed calls while on a job | Akol answers 24/7, even when your hands are full |
| Losing customers to competitors | Callers get an immediate answer instead of voicemail |
| Spending evenings returning calls | Your agent handles it during the day so you don’t have to catch up at night |
| No receptionist budget | Akol costs a fraction of a full-time hire |
| After-hours emergencies | Your agent can identify emergencies and reach you immediately |
What Your Callers Experience
Agent: “Hi, thanks for calling Smith Plumbing! This is Sarah, how can I help you today?”
Caller: “I’ve got a leak under my kitchen sink. Can you send someone out?”
Agent: “I’m sorry to hear that! Let me get you scheduled. Is the leak active right now, or is it a slow drip?”
Caller: “It’s a slow drip.”
Agent: “Okay, no emergency then. I have openings tomorrow at 9 AM or Thursday at 1 PM. Which works better for you?”
Caller: “Tomorrow morning would be great.”
Agent: “Perfect! I’ve booked you for tomorrow at 9 AM. Can I get your name and address?”
By the time you finish the job you’re on, you’ve got a new appointment on your calendar — without ever picking up the phone.
Common Plumbing Services to Add
When setting up your agent, make sure to include your services so the agent can answer questions:
- Leak detection and repair
- Drain cleaning and unclogging
- Water heater installation and repair
- Faucet and fixture installation
- Pipe repair and replacement
- Sewer line services
- Emergency plumbing
- Bathroom and kitchen remodeling
- Water softener installation
- Garbage disposal repair
Setting Up Emergency Handling
Plumbing emergencies can’t wait. Set up your agent to handle them:
- Add emergency keywords in your agent instructions — “flooding,” “burst pipe,” “no hot water,” “sewage backup”
- Set up call transfers — When the agent detects an emergency, it transfers directly to your cell phone
- Create an after-hours message — “For plumbing emergencies outside business hours, our agent will connect you with an on-call plumber”
Learn how to set up call transfers →
Sample Agent Instructions for Plumbers
When creating your agent, use instructions like:
You are a receptionist for Smith Plumbing, a family-owned plumbing company. We handle residential and commercial plumbing. Our service area is within 30 miles of downtown. We offer free estimates for large jobs. For emergencies like burst pipes or flooding, transfer the call immediately. Our hourly rate is $95 for standard service.
Learn more about agent instructions →
Pricing Example
A typical plumbing business gets 15-30 calls per week, averaging 3-4 minutes each.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Minutes Included | Enough For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $49/month | 100 minutes | ~25-30 calls/month |
| Pro | $149/month | 500 minutes | ~125+ calls/month |
Most plumbers start on the Starter plan and upgrade as their business grows.
Tips for Plumbers
- List your service area — So your agent can tell callers if you service their location
- Include your pricing — Even ballpark ranges help callers decide
- Set up emergency transfers — Don’t let a burst pipe call go to a message
- Connect your calendar — Let the agent book directly onto your schedule
- Check transcripts weekly — See what services people are calling about most