Virtual Receptionist

Virtual Receptionist That Actually Answers Every Call

An AI receptionist for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs. Answers calls 24/7, books appointments, and sends invoices -- all from your phone.

Text (949) 565-1908 Call to Hear It

A human receptionist costs $3,100/mo. Ruby and Smith.ai charge $300+/mo. SMB Forge gives you a full AI receptionist -- starting at $49/mo.

The Problem

Every missed call is a customer who hired your competitor.

💸

Missed Calls Cost $1,600/Week

The average service business loses $1,600 per week in missed revenue from unanswered phones. That caller with a burst pipe? They dial the next number in 30 seconds.

🌙

After-Hours Gap

62% of callers never call back if they hit voicemail. Most service calls come in after 5 PM and on weekends -- exactly when nobody is answering your phone.

🧑‍💼

Human Receptionist: $3,100/mo

A full-time receptionist costs $3,100/mo in salary alone -- plus benefits, training, sick days, and the coverage gap when they go home at 5 PM. SMB Forge does it for $49/mo.

How It Works

Your AI receptionist handles the phone so you can handle the work

Customer Texts to Book

Hi, I need someone to fix my AC -- it stopped working today
Sorry to hear that! I can get a tech out to you. What's your address, and does tomorrow between 10 AM and 12 PM work?
1234 Main St Irvine, tomorrow 10 AM works
Booked for tomorrow 10 AM - 12 PM at 1234 Main St, Irvine. You'll get a reminder the morning of. See you then!

You Manage from Telegram

inv $185 AC repair John Smith 714-555-0142
Invoice Draft -- AC Repair: $185\nCustomer: John Smith (714-555-0142)\nReply SEND to deliver via SMS
SEND
Invoice sent via SMS
What's Included

Your virtual receptionist -- everything in one platform

📞

24/7 Call Answering

AI answers every call, captures the details, and texts you a summary. No more missed calls, voicemails, or lost leads.

📅

Smart Scheduling

Customers book by text or call. Appointments land directly on your Google Calendar. Reminders sent automatically.

🚨

Emergency Triage

Burst pipe? Gas leak? No AC in July? The AI recognizes emergencies and alerts you immediately -- before routine requests.

🧾

Auto Invoicing

Send invoices by text from your phone. Customers pay online with Stripe, Square, or PayPal. Tracks in Google Sheets.

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100+ Languages

Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and more. Your AI receptionist speaks your customers' language -- no translator needed.

💬

Telegram Owner Bot

Manage bookings, invoices, and orders from Telegram on your phone. No app, no dashboard, no laptop required.

Why SMB Forge

Human receptionist? Ruby? Smith.ai? Or AI that actually works?

A human receptionist costs $3,100/mo. Ruby and Smith.ai charge $300+/mo for message-taking. SMB Forge handles the full conversation -- starting at $49/mo.

Feature Human
Receptionist		 Ruby /
Smith.ai		 SMB Forge
Monthly cost$3,100+$300+$49-199
24/7 availabilityNoLimitedYes
Languages supported1-2English only100+
Schedules appointmentsManuallyMessage onlyDirect to calendar
Sends invoicesNoNoYes
Emergency dispatchManuallyMessage onlyAuto-triage + alert
Telegram owner botNoNoYes
Setup time2-4 weeks1-2 weeks1 week
Pricing

Choose your plan

No hidden fees. No per-message charges. Cancel anytime.

Most service business owners spend 5+ hours a week on phone tag, missed calls, and scheduling. At $99/mo, it pays for itself if it saves you just 2 hours of admin work.

Starter
$49/mo
+ $99 one-time setup
  • AI scheduling assistant (SMS)
  • Google Calendar sync
  • Appointment reminders
  • Custom 1-page website
  • Telegram notifications & commands
  • Auto review requests
Get Started
Pro
$99/mo
+ $199 one-time setup
  • Everything in Starter, plus
  • AI ordering assistant
  • AI invoicing assistant
  • PDF invoices via email
  • Google Sheets tracker
  • Payment links (Stripe, Square, PayPal)
Get Started
Max
$199/mo
+ $299 one-time setup
  • Everything in Pro, plus
  • 24/7 AI call answering
  • Missed call text-back
  • Lead follow-up sequences
  • Review management
  • Campaign texting
Get Started
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a virtual receptionist? +
A virtual receptionist is an AI-powered assistant that answers your business phone calls, responds to text messages, and handles scheduling and invoicing without a physical employee. It works 24/7, never takes a break, and costs a fraction of a human receptionist.
How does an AI virtual receptionist work for service businesses? +
When a customer calls or texts your business number, the AI receptionist answers immediately, understands their request using natural language, and takes action -- booking appointments on your calendar, answering common questions about services and hours, triaging emergencies, and sending invoices. You manage everything through a Telegram bot on your phone.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost? +
SMB Forge's virtual receptionist starts at $49/mo for the Starter plan with SMS scheduling and a business website. The Pro plan at $99/mo adds invoicing and payment links. The Max plan at $199/mo includes 24/7 AI call answering, emergency triage, and lead follow-up sequences. A human receptionist costs $3,100/mo by comparison.
What's the difference between a virtual receptionist and an answering service? +
An answering service takes messages and forwards them to you later. A virtual receptionist handles the full conversation end-to-end -- it books appointments directly on your calendar, answers questions about your specific services and pricing, sends invoices, and follows up with customers. You get action, not just a message slip.
Can a virtual receptionist handle emergency calls? +
Yes. SMB Forge's virtual receptionist recognizes emergency keywords like burst pipe, gas leak, and no AC in summer, then immediately texts or calls the owner. It prioritizes emergency calls ahead of routine scheduling requests so urgent jobs get addressed first.
Does SMB Forge's virtual receptionist work for my industry? +
SMB Forge is built for service businesses including plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, cleaners, flooring contractors, garage door technicians, general contractors, lawn care providers, locksmiths, and pest control operators. The AI is trained on industry-specific language, service types, and common customer questions for each trade.
How quickly can I get set up? +
Most businesses are live within one week. We handle the full setup -- your business phone number, AI assistant configuration, calendar integration, and website. You just join a Telegram group on your phone and you're operational.
Will my customers know they're talking to an AI? +
Your AI receptionist speaks naturally and handles conversations smoothly, but we don't pretend it's human. Most customers prefer getting an immediate, helpful response over sitting on hold or hitting voicemail. The experience is fast, professional, and gets their problem solved -- which is what they actually care about.
More Industries

We serve all trades

SMB Forge's virtual receptionist works for any service business. See how we help yours:

Cleaners Electricians Flooring Garage Door General Contractor HVAC Lawn Care Locksmiths Pest Control Plumbers Roofers

Stop losing customers to voicemail.

Every call answered. Every appointment booked. Every invoice sent. Your AI receptionist -- $49/mo, no contract.

Call (949) 565-1908 Text (949) 565-1908

Or email hello@smbforge.com