An answering service for NZ plumbers
You can't answer the phone under a house. HiAnda can. It gets the job details, tells the customer you'll confirm, and emails you a summary after every call.
The problem with missed calls on the tools
When you're on a job, the phone keeps ringing. Someone with a leaking hot water cylinder won't wait an hour for you to call back; they'll ring the next plumber. A missed call is often a job someone else gets.
What it asks the customer
Name, address and suburb, what's going on (leak, blocked drain, no hot water, new install), how bad it is, access details and the best time to come. You get it all in one tidy email summary, not a voicemail you have to decode.
Urgent jobs and real emergencies
HiAnda takes the details and won't promise a time you haven't opened; it tells the caller you'll confirm. It isn't an emergency service and it doesn't put calls through to you. If you do emergency call-outs, give customers another way to reach you, like an after-hours mobile on your website or van. The summary includes the caller's number, so you can ring straight back.
Quotes the way you do
It only gives prices you've set, like your call-out fee or standard jobs. Anything else, it takes the details so you can quote. Jobs that need a look are noted as a quote visit request for you to arrange.
After hours and weekends
Forward calls only after hours, or only when you don't pick up, so you still take your regulars yourself during the day.
Mandarin-speaking customers
Across Auckland, a lot of homeowners and landlords are more comfortable in Mandarin. Mei and Kai answer them in Mandarin, and your summary comes in Chinese or English, whichever you prefer.
Electricians and other trades
The same setup works for electricians, gasfitters, roofers and builders. Only the services, prices and questions change.
Pricing
Starter: $79 / month + GST for 100 minutes, then $0.39 / min + GST. Solo: $149 / month + GST for 300 minutes, then $0.29 / min + GST. Team: $299 / month + GST for 750 minutes, then $0.24 / min + GST. Prices in NZD. Same features on every plan, English and Mandarin included, no setup fee. Pay monthly with no contract and cancel anytime. The first 20 businesses get the founding offer: an early-bird price for the first 3 months, then the normal price, with no increase until 12 months after you start. Set it up yourself in minutes, or we'll set it up for you free.
Hear it now
Call 09 886 7006 and press 1 for English or 2 for Mandarin. Step 1: tell it what business you run, like "I run a plumbing business in Auckland." Step 2: play a customer: "Water's coming through my bathroom ceiling. Can someone look at it this week?" Then ask for a price you never gave it and see what it does. No sign-up, no form.
Frequently asked questions
Does it connect to my job management software?
No. Each job comes to you as an email summary, so it takes a minute to add it to your job software.
Can it give a quote over the phone?
Only for prices you've set, like your call-out fee. Anything else, it takes the details so you can quote.
What if a caller is angry or confused?
It stays polite, takes the details and notes what happened in your summary. It doesn't argue or promise anything you haven't approved.
Do I have to change my phone number?
No. You keep your number and set call forwarding on it: all calls, only after hours, or only the ones you don't pick up. Switch forwarding off anytime and calls come straight back to you.