Trades & home services
AI receptionist for plumbers
The short answer
Last updated
Calls we handle
Calls plumbers get, answered.
- Burst pipe or water leak
- No hot water or a failed hot water cylinder
- Blocked toilet, sink or shower
- Dripping tap or running cistern (quote request)
- Bathroom or kitchen plumbing for a renovation
- Maintenance work orders from property managers
- "When is the plumber arriving?" (ETA and rescheduling)
Urgent calls
Escalated to you.
- Active flooding or burst pipe: tell the caller to turn off the water at the toby or main, then page the on-call plumber.
- Sewage overflowing inside the house.
- Water leaking near electrics: tell them to keep clear, and call 111 if there is danger.
- Hot water cylinder leaking or venting continuously.
- Any mention of gas smell: switch to the gas script.
Software
Works with Google Calendar, ServiceM8, Fergus, simPRO and more.
Google Calendar
Books directlyBooks real appointments straight into your Google Calendar during the call, reading live free/busy availability via Google's public Calendar API.
How it connects to Google CalendarServiceM8
Books directlyFirstVoice can connect directly and in real time to ServiceM8 to check technician availability and create jobs and job activity notes during the call.
How it connects to ServiceM8Fergus
Syncs every callCreates jobs, enquiries and customer records straight into Fergus during the call using Fergus's public OpenAPI 3.1 API.
How it connects to FergussimPRO
Syncs every callSends calls into simPRO as leads, jobs and schedule entries; a full booking view is not yet confirmed.
How it connects to simPRO
What a missed call is worth
Typical plumbers prices in NZ.
$95-150/hr; callout $75-120 ($150-250 after hours); burst pipe repair $200-800; hot water cylinder replacement $1,800-3,500 installed
Missed-call calculatorRules we script around
Regulations for plumbers.
General information, not legal advice.
- NZ: the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) licenses plumbers and keeps a public registerSource
Australia
- AU QLD: plumbing needs a QBCC licence at any value
Can an AI receptionist answer calls while I'm on a job?
Yes, and that's the main reason plumbers use one. It answers every call while you're under a house or on a roof, books routine work into ServiceM8 or your calendar, syncs enquiries into Fergus and flags urgent jobs like burst pipes to you straight away, so you decide whether to go.
What does FirstVoice do with urgent calls for plumbers?
It flags active flooding or burst pipe, sewage overflowing inside the house and water leaking near electrics to you straight away, or transfers the call live on Growth and Scale. Emergencies are directed to 111.
Does FirstVoice work with Google Calendar?
Books real appointments straight into your Google Calendar during the call, reading live free/busy availability via Google's public Calendar API. It also works with ServiceM8, Fergus, simPRO and Xero.
How much does an AI receptionist cost for plumbers?
Starter is $297 a month with calendar booking and setup included.