AI receptionists for HVAC and plumbing companies compared
Jobber Receptionist vs Rosie vs Smith.ai for trades: published prices, booking, transfers, and what to set up first.
If you already run Jobber, Jobber Receptionist is the simplest option: a $29/mo add-on for 30 conversations ($0.79 each after) that books into the Jobber calendar. On other software, Rosie has flat minute-based pricing from $49/mo with English and Spanish answering, and Smith.ai starts free for 25 calls a month with live human backup for emergencies and complex calls.
Tools coveredJRJobber ReceptionistRoRosieSASmith.ai AI Receptionist
On this page
The problem
When a technician is under a sink or on a roof, the phone rings out, and a homeowner with no heat or a burst pipe calls the next company on the list. Hiring a full-time dispatcher isn't realistic for many small shops. AI receptionists answer every call, collect the job details, book or route the call, and text you a summary.
Our picks
- Jobber Receptionist: Shops already running Jobber that want calls and texts answered and jobs booked straight into the Jobber calendar.Visit Jobber Receptionist ↗
- Rosie: Shops on any or no field-service software that want flat minute-based pricing and English/Spanish answering.Visit Rosie ↗
- Smith.ai AI Receptionist: Companies that want a live human backup for emergencies and complex calls.Visit Smith.ai AI Receptionist ↗
Cost and fit compared
| Tool | Published price | Setup effort | Compliance notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobber Receptionist | $29/mo add-on for 30 conversations, then $0.79 per conversation (spam and no-conversation calls don't count). Included with unlimited usage on Jobber Plus (from $399/mo billed annually). Requires a Jobber plan. source | Low if you're on Jobber. Requires a Jobber dedicated phone number (you can keep your existing number). | Texts are part of the service. Keep marketing texts separate and consent-based. |
| Rosie | Professional $49/mo (250 min). Scale $149/mo (1,000 min, calendar booking, live and warm transfers). Growth $299/mo (2,000 min). 7-day free trial. source | Low. It learns from your Google Business Profile and website. | Records calls. Put a recording notice in the greeting where state law requires it. |
| Smith.ai AI Receptionist | Free for 25 calls/mo ($3.00/call after). Pro $150/mo for 75 calls ($2.50 per extra call). source | Low to medium. Pro includes onboarding. | Per-call billing, with known spam filtered out. Records and transcribes calls. |
Compliance check
Marked Verified only when the vendor's own page says so (linked). Unverified means we could not confirm it on a vendor page, not that the feature is missing. Ask the vendor in writing. How badges work.
Jobber Receptionist
- TCPA consent supportUnverified
- Licensed-staff handoffUnverified
Rosie
- TCPA consent supportUnverified
- Licensed-staff handoffVerified Warm or cold transfers to you or your team; live transfers on Scale ($149/mo). Source (checked Oct 19, 2026)
Smith.ai AI Receptionist
- TCPA consent supportUnverified
- Licensed-staff handoffVerified Live transfers, with live human receptionists as backup. Source (checked Oct 16, 2026)
Start with the free trial or free plan where one exists, follow the setup steps below, and pilot it with one person or one workflow before rolling it out.
Decide this first: book, triage, or transfer?
- Book: routine maintenance and estimates go straight onto the calendar. Jobber Receptionist books into Jobber, and Rosie’s Scale plan books to your calendar.
- Triage: collect address, problem, equipment, urgency, and photos (by text), then send it to the owner.
- Transfer: true emergencies (no heat in winter, active leaks, gas smell) go to the on-call tech right away. Make sure your plan includes live transfers.
Setup in one afternoon
- Write your service area (ZIP codes), hours, emergency definition, and trip or diagnostic fee policy.
- List the top 10 caller questions and your answers.
- Define emergency keywords and the on-call transfer number.
- Set it to answer after hours and overflow first. Keep daytime calls ringing your team until you trust it.
- Place 10 test calls covering routine, emergency, out-of-area, and spam scenarios.
- Review transcripts daily for the first week and adjust the answers.
Safety and compliance notes
- Gas smell or carbon monoxide: the script should tell callers to leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility first, and never troubleshoot. Have your team approve the exact wording.
- Call recording: some states require all-party consent, for example California (Penal Code §632).
- Texting: replies to a customer’s own inquiry are different from marketing blasts. Promotions need consent under TCPA rules (Federal Register, Aug 29, 2025).
- This is general information, not legal advice.
How to compare costs
Pull last month’s inbound call count and average call length. Jobber prices by conversation, Rosie by minute, and Smith.ai by call. Price each option at your real volume, including your busiest season.
Who should skip this
- Shops with a dispatcher who reliably answers every call, including after hours.
- Shops that won’t review transcripts during the first few weeks. Unreviewed scripts are where mistakes happen.
Sources (checked Oct 16, 2026): Jobber Receptionist help article · Jobber Plus pricing · Rosie pricing · Smith.ai AI Receptionist pricing · California Penal Code §632