The Real Cost of Missed Calls for Service Businesses

Every service business misses calls. It's unavoidable — you're on a job, in a meeting, or it's after hours. But most owners drastically underestimate what those missed calls actually cost.

Let's Do the Math

Say your average job is worth $500. You miss 5 calls a week. Even if only half of those were real opportunities, that's $1,250 in potential revenue — gone. Every week.

Over a year? That's $65,000 in missed revenue. And that's a conservative estimate.

It's Not Just the Missed Revenue

The cost goes deeper than lost jobs:

• Wasted ad spend. You paid to get that lead. If you don't convert them, you're paying for nothing.
• Reputation damage. Customers who can't reach you assume you're unprofessional — or out of business.
• Lost referrals. A customer you never booked will never refer you to anyone else.

The Fix Isn't More Staff

Hiring a full-time receptionist costs $35,000–$50,000 a year. And they still can't work 24/7. The solution isn't more headcount — it's a system that ensures every call gets handled, even when you can't pick up.