After-Hours Answering: Real ROI Numbers from 50 HVAC Companies
Your voicemail isn't a safety net. It's a leak.
35-50% of after-hours callers won't leave a voicemail. They hang up and call someone else. We surveyed 50 HVAC companies on their after-hours coverage.
How Shops Handle After-Hours
The Numbers
Average results across similar-sized shops (8-15 techs):
| Method | After-hours calls/mo | Booked | Revenue/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voicemail | 45 | 35% | $5,900 |
| Answering service | 45 | 55% | $9,300 |
| AI answering | 45 | 70% | $11,800 |
| Internal staff | 45 | 75% | $12,700 |
Based on $375 average service ticket. Your numbers will vary.
Cost vs. Return
$5,550 more per month for a $350 investment. Works out to roughly $66,600/year in additional revenue.
Emergency Calls Convert Higher
No-cool in July converts differently than routine scheduling:
Emergency Booking Rates
Emergency tickets average $500-700
Emergency callers aren't price shopping. They want help now. First to answer wins.
The Voicemail Problem
"My customers know to leave a message. I call back first thing."
The data:
- 35-50% never leave messages
- Of those who do, 20%+ call a competitor while waiting
- "First thing in the morning" is 8-12 hours after the emergency
By the time you call back, many already solved their problem—with someone else.
Bottom Line
After-hours coverage isn't an expense. It's revenue you're either capturing or giving away.
The math is simple. The fix is available. Question is whether you're okay leaving money on the table.
Ready to stop missing calls?
See how June handles calls for HVAC contractors like you—with your FSM software, your pricing, your voice.
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