"I lost a £4,200 kitchen fitting job because I was up a ladder and missed the call. They rang someone else. That was my mortgage payment for the month." — Darren, Kitchen Fitter, LeedsEvery question in this FAQ comes from real searches by real UK tradespeople. We've analysed thousands of queries from Google, trade forums, Facebook groups, and conversations with our own customers. If you've ever wondered whether an AI receptionist is worth it, what happens when you miss a call, or how much money you're actually losing — this is for you.
1. The Money Questions: What Missed Calls Actually Cost You
Q1. How much does a missed call cost a tradesperson in the UK?
Industry research from 2024 put the average cost of a missed call to UK trades at £1,200 per year in lost revenue. But for a busy sole trader or small team, a single missed call can cost anywhere from £140 to £4,500 depending on your trade. A plumber missing an emergency call loses a £200-£400 job that day. A builder missing a full house rewire enquiry loses a £3,000-£8,000 project.The maths: If you miss just 2 calls per week and one of those would've been a £300 job, that's £15,600 a year in lost revenue. Minimum.
Q2. How many calls do tradespeople miss per week?
A 2025 survey of UK sole traders found the average tradesperson misses 8-12 calls per week. That's during working hours — it doesn't include calls at 6am, 7pm, weekends, or when you're under a floorboard with no signal. Roofers and scaffolders miss the most (often 15+ per week) because they're physically unable to answer when up a structure.
Q3. What percentage of people don't leave a voicemail?
85% of people won't leave a voicemail. This is the figure that stings. Think about your own behaviour — when you call a plumber and get voicemail, do you leave a message? Or do you just call the next number on Google? Exactly. That missed caller has already rung two of your competitors before you've even finished your current job.
Q4. Do people actually call the next tradesperson if I don't answer?
Yes. Immediately. A 2024 study found that 74% of callers will contact a competitor within one hour of not reaching you. For emergency trades (plumbers, locksmiths, electricians), it's even worse — most callers will ring the next 3-4 numbers on Google instantly. By the time you finish your current job and call them back, they've already booked someone else, had the work done, and moved on with their life.
Q5. How much revenue does the average tradesperson lose per year?
Conservative estimate: £15,000 - £30,000 per year for a busy sole trader. Here's the working: 8 missed calls/week × 48 working weeks = 384 missed calls/year. If even 30% of those were genuine enquiries with an average job value of £350, that's £40,320 in potential revenue. If you convert half of those with an AI receptionist answering, you've just gained £20,000 in found money. For a 2-3 person team, double that figure.
Q6. What's the average value of a job enquiry by trade?
Here are typical job values by trade:
| [Emergency Plumber](/for-plumbers) | £200-£400 (emergency: £300-£600) |
| [Gas Safe Engineer](/for-gas-engineers) | £350-£800 (emergency: £500-£1,200) |
| [Electrician](/for-electricians) | £250-£600 (emergency: £400-£900) |
| [Kitchen Fitter](/for-kitchen-fitters) | £3,000-£12,000 |
| [Bathroom Fitter](/for-bathroom-fitters) | £4,000-£8,000 |
| [Builder](/for-builders) | £15,000-£60,000 |
| [Roofer](/for-roofers) | £1,500-£8,000 (repair: £300-£600) |
| [Locksmith](/for-locksmiths) | £80-£250 (emergency: £150-£400) |
| [Heating Engineer](/for-heating-engineers) | £400-£2,000 (emergency: £500-£1,500) |
| [Handyman](/for-handymen) | £100-£500 (emergency: £150-£300) |
| [Carpenter](/for-carpenters) | £200-£800 (custom: £500-£2,000) |
| [Painter/Decorator](/for-painters-decorators) | £500-£3,000 (room: £300-£800) |
| [Tiler](/for-tilers) | £400-£2,000 (bathroom: £800-£1,500) |
Q7. Is there a calculator to work out how much I'm losing?
Yes — use our Missed Call Cost Calculator. Put in your trade, your average job value, how many calls you think you miss per week, and it'll show you exactly what you're losing per month and per year. Most tradespeople are shocked by the number. One electrician in Manchester told us the calculator showed he was losing £34,000 a year — he signed up for Whoza.ai that same afternoon.
Q8. What's the lifetime value of a customer?
For trades, the lifetime value (LTV) of a customer is massive. A happy customer comes back — they need you for other jobs, they recommend you to family, they post about you in local Facebook groups. We've seen data showing the average UK homeowner uses the same tradesperson 3.2 times over 10 years and refers them to 2.4 other people. So that one £400 plumbing job you missed? It was actually worth £1,280 in repeat work and referrals.
Q9. Do missed calls cost more than just the immediate job?
Absolutely. When you miss a call, you're not just losing that one job. You're losing:- The repeat work from that customer- The referrals they would've given you- The Google review they would've left- Your Google ranking (missed calls often mean people click back to search results, which tells Google your business wasn't helpful)
Q10. How much does an emergency call-out cost vs standard booking?
Emergency rates are typically 1.5x to 2.5x standard rates. An emergency plumber charges £100-£150/hour vs £60-£80 standard. An emergency electrician charges £90-£130/hour vs £50-£70 standard. Missing emergency calls is the most expensive mistake you can make — and these are exactly the calls that come in at 6am, 10pm, or Sunday afternoon when you're definitely not answering.
2. The AI Receptionist Explained: How It Actually Works
Q11. What exactly is an AI receptionist for tradespeople?
An AI receptionist is a virtual agent that answers your business phone calls when you can't — or don't want to. It picks up every call immediately, speaks to your customer in natural English, figures out what they need, takes their details, and sends you everything via WhatsApp or email within seconds. Think of it as a super-reliable receptionist who never sleeps, never takes a day off, never calls in sick, and costs less than a day's wage per month.
Q12. How does an AI receptionist actually answer the phone?
When someone calls your business number, the AI picks up within 2-3 rings. It greets them with your business name ("Good morning, you've reached Smith Plumbing, I'm Katie, how can I help?"), then has a natural conversation. It asks what they need, where they are, when they need it, and takes their contact details. The whole call takes 1-3 minutes. You get a full summary on WhatsApp or email the moment the call ends.
Q13. Does it sound like a robot?
Not anymore. The AI voices available in 2026 are genuinely impressive — natural-sounding, with appropriate tone, pauses, and even a bit of personality. Our Katie agent sounds warm, professional, and friendly. Most callers don't realise they're speaking to AI until you tell them. The key is good scripting — the AI needs to know your trade, your area, your services, and how you like to work.
Q14. What happens if the caller asks something the AI doesn't know?
The AI is trained on your specific business — your services, your prices (if you want to share them), your areas, your availability. For common trade questions, it has answers ready. If someone asks something truly unusual, it takes their details and promises you'll call them back with the answer. It never makes up information or guesses.
Q15. Can the AI receptionist book appointments directly into my diary?
Yes — with our Pro and Scale tiers, Katie can check your availability and book appointments directly into Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook. The customer gets an instant confirmation with the date, time, and your business details. You get a calendar invite too. No more phone tag, no more "I'll check my diary and call you back."
Q16. What information does the AI collect from callers?
Katie collects everything you need to quote or book:- Name and phone number- Postcode or address- What they need done (with details)- When they need it (emergency, this week, flexible)- Property type (home, rental, commercial)- How they found you (Google, recommendation, Facebook)- Any photos (they can text/WhatsApp photos after the call)
Q17. Can the AI handle multiple calls at once?
Yes — this is one of the biggest advantages. A human receptionist can only take one call at a time. Katie can handle unlimited simultaneous calls. If three people ring at 8:47am (they always do — it's like customers coordinate it), all three get answered immediately. No engaged tone, no voicemail, no missed opportunities.
Q18. What languages can the AI speak?
Currently, our AI receptionists speak English (UK) as standard. We're expanding to support Polish, Romanian, and Portuguese — languages commonly spoken by tradespeople and customers across the UK. If you need a specific language, let us know and we can often accommodate it.
Q19. Can I customise what the AI says?
Absolutely. You control: the greeting, your business description, services you offer, areas you cover, availability, pricing (if you want to share ballpark figures), and special instructions ("Please mention we don't do gas work" or "Ask if they have parking available").
Q20. How quickly does the AI pick up?
Within 2-3 rings, every time. No matter if it's 6am on a Saturday or 10pm on a Tuesday. No matter if it's one call or five calls at the exact same moment. Compare that to voicemail (which most people hang up on) or a human receptionist (who can only take one call, needs lunch breaks, goes home at 5pm, and takes 28 days holiday a year).
3. Whoza.ai Specifically: Our Product, Our Pricing, Our Agents
Q21. What is Whoza.ai and who built it?
Whoza.ai is an AI-powered call answering and business automation platform built specifically for UK tradespeople. We were built in Scotland by a team who grew up around trade businesses — our founders' families are plumbers, electricians, and builders. We understand that you need your phone answered when you're up a ladder, under a sink, or in a client's house with your hands full. We're not a generic Silicon Valley SaaS product — we're built for the reality of British trade work.
Q22. How many AI agents does Whoza.ai have?
Four specialised agents, each handling a different part of your business:1. Katie — Your AI receptionist. Answers every call, takes enquiries, books appointments.2. Mark — Your outbound sales agent. Follows up on quotes, chases leads, wins more work.3. Claire — Your review manager. Automatically requests Google reviews from happy customers.4. Rex — Your competitor analyst. Monitors your competitors' online presence and alerts you to opportunities.
Q23. What makes Whoza.ai different from other AI receptionists?
Several things:- We're British — Built in Scotland, not imported from California. We understand UK trades, UK customers, and UK business culture.- Per-job pricing — You pay per job completed, not per minute. Other services charge £1-£2 per minute, which gets expensive fast when Katie has a 4-minute conversation with a chatty customer about their boiler. Our model is simpler and fairer.- Four agents, one price — Katie, Mark, Claire and Rex all work together. Most competitors only offer call answering.- WhatsApp integration — Every call summary arrives on WhatsApp instantly. Most competitors only send emails (which you check... when exactly?).- Built for trades — Not doctors, not lawyers, not estate agents. Trades. Every feature is designed around how you actually work.
Q24. How much does Whoza.ai cost?
We have four tiers:| Tier | Price | Jobs/Month | Best For || --- | --- | --- | --- || Starter | £59/month | 8 jobs | One-person businesses just starting out || Growth | £125/month | 16 jobs | Busy sole traders and small teams || Pro | £230/month | 40 jobs | Growing teams with high call volumes || Scale | £399/month | 100 jobs | Multi-van operations |Extra jobs are £4.50 each on Starter, £3.25 on Growth, £2.75 on Pro, and £2.25 on Scale. No hidden fees. No setup charges. Cancel anytime. See full pricing details
Q25. What's included in every tier?
Every tier includes: Katie (AI receptionist answering unlimited calls), WhatsApp summaries (instant message after every call), Call transcripts (full text of every conversation), Customer details captured (name, number, address, job details), Out-of-hours answering (24/7, 365 days a year), Weekend & bank holiday coverage, Basic analytics (how many calls, when they come in, conversion rates), and "Built in Scotland" reliability (UK-based infrastructure, UK data centres).Higher tiers add Mark (outbound), Claire (reviews), Rex (competitor analysis), calendar integration, priority support, and more.
Q26. Is there a free trial?
Yes — we offer a 7-day free trial on all tiers. You get full functionality, no credit card required. We want you to see the difference before you commit. Most tradespeople who try it sign up permanently — once you've experienced Katie answering calls while you're actually getting work done, you won't go back.
Q27. What happens to my calls if Whoza.ai goes down?
Our infrastructure runs on UK-based cloud servers with 99.9% uptime SLA. We have redundant systems — if one server has issues, your calls automatically route to another. In the extremely unlikely event of a total outage (which has never happened), calls can be configured to fall back to your mobile. Your business number is safe — we don't own it, you do.
Q28. Can I keep my existing business phone number?
Yes — you can either port your existing number to Whoza.ai (so Katie answers it directly) or forward calls from your current number to your Whoza.ai number when you can't answer. Most tradespeople set up call forwarding on busy/no-answer — so if you don't pick up after 4 rings, Katie takes over. Best of both worlds.
Q29. How long does setup take?
Most tradespeople are up and running within 24 hours. You tell us about your business (trade, areas, services, hours), we configure Katie with your details, and she starts answering. The more information you give us, the better she'll be. We can also integrate with your existing calendar and CRM if you have them.
Q30. Do I need to sign a contract?
No. All our plans are month-to-month. No annual contracts, no exit fees, no nasty surprises. We earn your business every month by delivering results. If it's not working for you, you can cancel anytime. (Though in practice, almost nobody does — because the ROI is obvious within the first week.)
4. Your Phones, Your Numbers, Your Setup
Q31. Do I need a new phone number?
You have two options: 1) Keep your existing number — Port it to Whoza.ai (free) or set up call forwarding when you're busy/unavailable. 2) Get a new Whoza.ai number — We can provide a local number for your area, or a national 0333 number.Most tradespeople keep their existing number and set up call forwarding — customers already know it, it's on your van, your business cards, your Google listing.
Q32. Can I use Whoza.ai with my mobile phone?
Yes — most of our customers do exactly this. You carry your mobile as normal. When you can answer, you answer. When you can't (up a ladder, under a floor, in a customer's house, driving), calls forward to Katie. You get a WhatsApp message with all the details. Call the customer back when you're free.
Q33. Can I use it with a landline?
Yes. Set up call diversion on your landline — BT, Virgin, TalkTalk, and most providers support "divert on no answer" or "divert when busy." When you're not around to pick up the landline, Katie answers instead. Many tradespeople divert their landline permanently and just use their mobile for outbound calls.
Q34. How do I set up call forwarding?
It's different for each network:- BT Landline: Dial 61[your Whoza number]# to divert on no answer- Virgin: Call 150 and ask for "call diversion on no reply"- Mobile (EE/O2/Vodafone/Three): Dial 61[Whoza number]11# (diverts after 15 seconds)- iPhone:** Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding > enter your Whoza numberWe provide step-by-step instructions for your specific network when you sign up. Most take 2 minutes to set up.
Q35. Can I answer some calls myself and let Katie handle others?
Yes — that's exactly how most people use it. You're in control: When you're free — Answer calls yourself, build rapport, close the job. When you're busy — Let Katie take it, you follow up via WhatsApp. Out of hours — Katie handles everything (evenings, weekends, early mornings). When you're on holiday — Katie keeps working, you come back to a full pipeline.You can toggle Katie on/off from your dashboard or Whoza.ai app whenever you want.
Q36. Can I have different greetings for different times of day?
Yes — Katie can say different things depending on when someone calls: Before 8am: "Good morning! You've reached [Business]. We're not in the office yet but I'm taking details and we'll call you back first thing." During hours: "Hello, [Business], how can I help?" After 6pm: "Good evening! [Business] has finished for the day but I'm taking details for tomorrow." Weekends: "Thanks for calling [Business] on Saturday! I'm taking all the details and we'll get back to you."
Q37. What happens if I'm in an area with no phone signal?
This is actually where Katie shines. If you're working in a basement, rural area, or anywhere with patchy signal, you might not even know someone called — it goes straight to voicemail or rings out. With Whoza.ai, your calls are routed through our servers (not your phone), so Katie always picks up. You get the WhatsApp summary when you're back in signal range. No more "I didn't even know they called."
Q38. Can I use Whoza.ai if I have multiple phone numbers?
Yes — our Pro and Scale tiers support multiple numbers and multiple locations. If you have separate numbers for plumbing and heating, or different numbers for different towns, Katie can answer them all with appropriate greetings. You can even have different Katie "personalities" for different parts of your business.
5. Customer Experience: What Your Callers See
Q39. What does the caller hear when Katie answers?
Something like: "Good morning, you've reached Smith Plumbing, I'm Katie. How can I help you today?" — warm, professional, and efficient. Then Katie asks the right questions to understand what they need, takes their details, and confirms when they'll hear back from you. Most callers think Katie is a real receptionist sitting in your office.
Q40. How long do AI-handled calls typically last?
Most calls last 1.5 to 3 minutes. Simple enquiries ("Can you come Tuesday?") are under a minute. Complex jobs ("I need a full bathroom refit, can you do underfloor heating?") take 3-4 minutes. Compare that to you trying to answer while elbow-deep in a toilet cistern — Katie gives every caller her full attention.
Q41. Can the caller tell they're speaking to AI?
Most can't. The voice is natural, the conversation flows well, and Katie knows your business inside out. If someone does ask "Are you a robot?", Katie responds honestly: "I'm an AI assistant working with [Business Name]. I take all the details so they can get back to you quickly with a proper quote." People appreciate the transparency — and they really appreciate getting their call answered at 7pm on a Sunday.
Q42. What if the caller just wants a quick price?
Katie can give ballpark prices if you set them up ("Our standard call-out is £80 plus parts"). For more complex jobs, she explains that you need to see the job to give an accurate quote, takes their details, and books a convenient time for you to visit. This actually filters out tyre-kickers — if someone won't even give their details for a callback, they weren't a serious enquiry anyway.
Q43. What if the caller is angry or upset?
Katie is trained to handle difficult calls calmly and professionally. She listens, acknowledges their frustration ("I completely understand, that sounds really stressful"), takes all the details, and promises a callback from you personally. She never argues, never gets flustered, and never has a bad day. You get a full transcript so you know exactly what happened before you call them back.
Q44. Can Katie ask callers to send photos of the job?
Yes — this is one of our favourite features. When someone describes a problem ("My boiler is showing error code E119"), Katie can say: "That sounds like it might be a pressure issue. Could you send a photo of the boiler display to this WhatsApp number? [Your tradesperson] can take a look before calling you back." Most people send photos within minutes. You get to diagnose the problem before you even speak to them.
Q45. What if the caller is an existing customer?
Katie recognises returning callers by their phone number and can greet them personally: "Hi Mrs Johnson, lovely to hear from you again. Is this about the kitchen tap we fitted last month?" This personal touch impresses customers and makes your business feel much bigger than it is.
Q46. Can Katie handle commercial/enquiry calls?
Absolutely — and this is where a lot of our customers make serious money. Estate agents and letting agents are goldmines for tradespeople — they need reliable plumbers, electricians, and handymen for multiple properties. Katie recognises these calls, handles them professionally, and flags them as "Commercial Enquiry" in your WhatsApp summary so you prioritise the callback.
Q47. Does Katie ever hang up on people?
Never. She stays on the line until the caller is satisfied or the conversation naturally ends. If someone is being abusive, she responds calmly: "I'm going to end this call now. If you'd like to discuss your plumbing needs, please call back when you're ready to speak respectfully." Then she logs it and lets you know.
Q48. Can Katie take payment over the phone?
Not directly — we don't process payments (and most tradespeople prefer to invoice after the job anyway). However, Katie can tell callers your payment terms and, on Pro tiers, can generate invoices via integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent after you mark a job as complete.
6. Diary, Calendar & Booking Integration
Q49. Can Katie book appointments directly into my calendar?
Yes — on Pro and Scale tiers, Katie integrates with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. When a caller wants to book, Katie checks your availability in real-time and offers them slots. Once they agree, she books it instantly — you both get calendar invites with all the details.
Q50. What calendar apps does Whoza.ai work with?
Currently: Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook/365. We're adding Apple Calendar and other integrations based on customer demand. If you use a different calendar, let us know and we'll prioritise it.
Q51. Can I set my working hours so Katie only books within those times?
Yes — you set your availability in your dashboard: Working days (Mon-Fri, or include Saturday, etc.), Working hours (8am-6pm, or whatever suits you), Lunch breaks (Katie won't book 12:30-1pm if you set it), Emergency slots (separate availability for urgent jobs), Blocked dates (holidays, training days, etc.). Katie will only offer callers times that work for you.
Q52. Can Katie handle emergency call-outs differently?
Yes — you can set up an emergency workflow. When someone says "urgent", "leaking", "no heating", "no hot water", or similar keywords, Katie flags it as "Emergency" in your WhatsApp summary. You can set emergency calls to notify you differently (repeated WhatsApp messages, urgent email, or even SMS). On Pro and Scale tiers, Katie can offer same-day or next-day emergency slots from a separate calendar you maintain.
Q53. What if a customer wants a time I'm not available?
Katie offers the nearest available alternatives. If they want Tuesday morning and you're fully booked, she'll say: "Tuesday morning is fully booked, but I could offer Tuesday afternoon at 2pm or Wednesday morning at 9am — would either of those work?" She works with your customer to find a time that suits you both.
Q54. Can I see all my bookings in one place?
Yes — your Whoza.ai dashboard shows all upcoming appointments, pending enquiries, completed jobs, and cancelled bookings. You can also see everything in your connected calendar. The dashboard gives you the business overview; your calendar has the day-to-day detail.
Q55. Can Katie reschedule appointments if I need to change something?
Katie can handle rescheduling requests from customers — if Mrs Johnson rings to move her Tuesday appointment to Thursday, Katie checks your availability and makes the change. If you need to reschedule (emergency call-out overruns, supplier delay), you update your calendar and Katie will inform the customer proactively if you've enabled that feature.
7. Messages, WhatsApp & Notifications
Q56. How do I get notified about new calls?
Via WhatsApp — instantly. The moment Katie finishes a call, you get a WhatsApp message with: Caller name and number, what they need, where they are, when they want it done, full transcript of the conversation, and any notes or flags (emergency, commercial enquiry, etc.). You can also get email summaries and dashboard notifications if you prefer.
Q57. Why WhatsApp instead of email or SMS?
Because you actually check WhatsApp. Emails get buried. SMS is limited to 160 characters. WhatsApp gives you: Instant delivery (you probably have WhatsApp open anyway), Rich information (full transcripts, not just "Missed call from 07123..."), Photo sharing (customers can send photos of their problem), Two-way communication (reply to confirm, ask follow-up questions), and Read receipts (you know you've seen it, your team knows you've seen it).
Q58. Can my team/employees see the call summaries too?
Yes — you can add team members to your Whoza.ai account and everyone gets the WhatsApp summaries. This is great for multi-person teams — your apprentice can see the job details before you even tell them, your office manager can handle scheduling, your partner can manage the books. Everyone's on the same page.
Q59. What does a typical WhatsApp summary look like?
Something like this:> New Call — Katie > From: Sarah Johnson — 07123 456789 > Job: Leaking pipe under kitchen sink > Address: 42 Oak Street, LS4 2BT > When: ASAP — water damage to cabinet > Type: Emergency > > Transcript: > Katie: "Hello, you've reached Smith Plumbing..." > Sarah: "Hi, I've got a leak under my kitchen sink..." > [Full conversation...] > Katie: "...and we'll get someone to you today."
Q60. Can I reply to the WhatsApp summary to take action?
Yes — reply with simple commands: "Book" — Adds to your calendar as a confirmed booking. "Quote" — Flags for you to provide a quote. "Done" — Marks as completed (triggers Claire to ask for a review). "Ignore" — Tyre-kicker or wrong number, archived. Your team can all see the status updates in real-time.
Q61. Does Whoza.ai send me spam or unnecessary notifications?
No — you only get notifications about actual calls and bookings. You can customise what you get notified about (maybe you only want emergencies on WhatsApp and everything else as a daily email summary). You're in complete control.
Q62. Can I search through old call summaries?
Yes — your dashboard has a searchable archive of every call Katie has ever taken. Search by customer name, phone number, address, job type, date range, or keyword. Useful when Mrs Johnson rings six months later saying "you did some work for me" and you can't remember what it was.
Q63. What if I don't have WhatsApp?
You can get all summaries via email or view them in your dashboard. But honestly — if you're a tradesperson in the UK in 2026 and you don't have WhatsApp, you're in the minority. Most of your customers probably contact you via WhatsApp already. It's worth downloading for Whoza.ai alone.
8. Reviews & Reputation Management
Q64. How does Claire help me get more Google reviews?
Claire automatically messages your customers after a job is marked as complete, asking them to leave a Google review. She sends a polite WhatsApp or SMS with a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page. The timing is optimised — not too soon (while you're still packing up your tools), not too late (when they've forgotten how good you were).
Q65. Does Claire actually get results?
Yes — tradespeople using Claire see a 3-5x increase in Google reviews within the first month. Most happy customers want to leave a review but never get around to it. A gentle nudge at the right time makes all the difference. One plumber in Glasgow went from 12 reviews to 47 reviews in six weeks using Claire.
Q66. What does Claire's review request message say?
Something like: "Hi [Name], it's [Business Name]. Thanks for having us over today to [job description]. If you were happy with the work, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It really helps small businesses like ours. Here's the link: [Google Review URL]. Thanks so much! [Your Name]"You can customise the message to match your tone.
Q67. Can I choose when Claire sends review requests?
Yes — you set the timing: Immediately after you mark a job complete, Same day (a few hours after), Next day (gives them overnight to appreciate their working heating/plumbing/electrics), or Custom delay (3 days, 1 week — whatever works for your trade). You can also set quiet hours so Claire never messages late at night or early morning.
Q68. What if the customer wasn't happy?
No — you control this. When you mark a job complete, you can flag it as: Happy customer → Claire sends review request. Neutral → Claire doesn't send (or sends a feedback request instead). Issue → Claire doesn't send anything, flags for you to follow up personally. You never get caught asking a dissatisfied customer for a review.
Q69. Do Google reviews actually help me get more work?
Absolutely. Google reviews are one of the top 3 ranking factors for local search. More reviews = higher on Google Maps = more calls. It's that simple. A plumber with 50 reviews averaging 4.8 stars will outrank a plumber with 8 reviews averaging 4.2 stars — even if the 8-review plumber is technically better at plumbing. Customers trust social proof. Claire makes sure you get it.
Q70. Can Claire help with reviews on other platforms?
Currently Claire focuses on Google Business Profile reviews (these matter most for local SEO). We also support Checkatrade, Rated People, and Trustpilot on Pro tiers. If you need another platform, let us know and we'll add it.
Q71. What happens if someone leaves a bad review?
You get an instant notification. Claire flags negative reviews immediately so you can respond quickly. The dashboard shows all your reviews in one place, sorted by rating. Quick, professional responses to negative reviews actually improve your reputation — it shows you care and you handle problems properly.
9. Competitor Analysis & Outbound Sales
Q72. What does Rex the competitor analyst actually do?
Rex monitors your competitors' online presence and alerts you to: New reviews they've received (good and bad), Price changes on their website, New services they're advertising, Google ranking changes (if they move above or below you), Social media activity (new posts, promotions), and Website changes (new pages, offers). Rex gives you the intelligence to stay one step ahead.
Q73. How does Mark the outbound sales agent work?
Mark follows up on your leads automatically: Quote follow-ups — Customer requested a quote? Mark follows up in 48 hours if they haven't responded. Unconverted enquiries — Someone who didn't book? Mark re-engages them with a special offer or availability update. Lost leads — Customer went with someone else? Mark follows up after a respectful period to see how the work went. Seasonal campaigns — "It's boiler service season — book now before the cold hits." Mark works 24/7 and never forgets to follow up.
Q74. Can Mark actually win me more work?
Yes — Mark addresses the biggest leak in most trade businesses: not following up. Studies show 80% of sales require 5 follow-ups, but most tradespeople give up after 1 or 2. Mark never gives up. He follows up consistently, professionally, and at the right intervals. One heating engineer in Edinburgh told us Mark won him £8,400 in "forgotten" quotes in the first month.
Q75. What does Mark's follow-up message say?
It's customised to your business, but typically something like: "Hi [Name], it's [Business Name]. You asked us about [job] a few days ago. Just wanted to check if you had any questions about the quote or if you'd like to go ahead? We've got availability next Tuesday or Thursday. Let me know! [Your Name]"Friendly, not pushy. Professional, not salesy. Just the follow-up you'd send yourself — if you remembered and had time.
Q76. Can I control who Mark contacts and when?
Completely. You set: Which leads get follow-ups (all, or just high-value), How many follow-up attempts (1, 3, 5, unlimited), Timing between follow-ups (2 days, 5 days, 1 week), Message tone (friendly, professional, urgent), and Quiet hours (never message evenings or weekends if you prefer). Mark follows your rules exactly.
Q77. Does Mark send WhatsApp messages or emails?
Both — Mark uses WhatsApp as default (higher open rates) with email as backup. You can configure which channel he uses for different types of follow-ups. SMS is also available on Pro tiers.
Q78. Can Mark handle responses from customers?
Mark handles simple replies ("Yes, book me in" or "Not interested thanks"). For more complex conversations, he flags them for your personal attention with a summary of what's been discussed. He never pretends to be you — he introduces himself as "[Your Name]'s assistant" and is transparent about being automated.
10. For Specific Trades: Plumbers, Electricians, Builders & More
Q79. Do you have specific setups for different trades?
Yes — Katie is configured differently for each trade. A plumber's AI receptionist knows about leaks, boilers, radiators, and emergency callouts. An electrician's AI receptionist knows about rewiring, fuse boards, EICRs, and Part P compliance. A builder's AI receptionist knows about extensions, renovations, and project timelines. Each trade setup includes the right questions, terminology, and workflows.
Q80. Which trades do you support?
We currently have dedicated setups for: Plumbers & Heating Engineers, Electricians & Electrical Contractors, Builders & Construction, Roofers & Guttering Specialists, Locksmiths (24/7 emergency specialists), Kitchen Fitters, Bathroom Fitters, Carpenters & Joiners, Painters & Decorators, Tilers, Gas Engineers (Gas Safe registered), Handymen, Appliance Repair Engineers, Scaffolders, and Plasterers. If your trade isn't listed, we'll create a custom setup for you — just ask.
Q81. How is Katie configured differently for emergency vs scheduled trades?
Emergency trades (plumbers, locksmiths, electricians) get: Priority call handling — emergency keywords trigger immediate notifications. 24/7 answering — because emergencies don't keep office hours. Urgent workflow — customer gets immediate reassurance, you get instant alerts. Quick triage — Katie asks the right questions to assess severity.Scheduled trades (kitchen fitters, painters, builders) get: Detailed questioning — what style, what budget, what timeline. Availability checking — booking consultations/site visits. Photo requests — "Could you send a photo of your current kitchen?" Project qualification — filtering serious enquiries from time-wasters.
Q82. Can Katie handle Gas Safe registration questions?
Yes — for gas engineers, Katie knows to mention your Gas Safe number, explain the importance of Gas Safe registration, and can even direct customers to the Gas Safe Register website to verify your credentials. This builds massive trust — especially with landlords who legally need Gas Safe certificates.
Q83. Can Katie handle Part P electrical compliance questions?
Absolutely — for electricians, Katie understands Part P compliance, EICR certificates, and can explain what certification customers will receive. She can ask whether the work is notifiable (new circuits, consumer units) and reassure customers that all work meets Building Regulations.
Q84. What about builders doing large projects?
Yes — for builders and large projects, Katie does initial qualification: Type of project (extension, renovation, new build), approximate budget range, timeline (when do they want to start?), planning permission status, and property type and access. She then books a site visit for you to assess properly. Katie doesn't try to quote for a £40,000 extension — she gets the details so you can have an informed first conversation.
Q85. Do you work with multi-van trade businesses?
Yes — our Scale tier is designed for multi-van operations. You can: Route calls to different engineers based on area or specialisation, track which van/engineer is closest to the job, manage multiple diaries in one dashboard, and see team-wide analytics (who's converting calls, who's busiest).
11. Switching From Voicemail / Answering Machine
Q86. Is an AI receptionist better than voicemail?
Monumentally better. Here's the comparison:| Feature | Voicemail | Whoza.ai || --- | --- | --- || Answer rate | 15% leave a message | 100% answered || Information captured | Name + number (maybe) | Full job details, address, urgency || Response time | Whenever you check | Instant WhatsApp summary || Professional image | "We're not available" | "Smith Plumbing, how can I help?" || Evening/weekend | Voicemail | Fully answered || Multiple calls | Engaged tone | All answered simultaneously || Cost | £0 (but costs you £20k+/yr in lost work) | £59-£399/month |
Q87. I only miss a few calls per week — is it still worth it?
If you only miss 2 calls a week, and one of those is a £300 job, that's £600/month in lost revenue. Whoza.ai costs £59-£125/month. So even if you only convert ONE extra job per month, you're profitable. Most tradespeople find they were missing far more calls than they realised — you only know about the ones that leave voicemail. The silent killers are the ones that just ring your competitor instead.
Q88. How do I switch from voicemail to Whoza.ai?
Three steps: 1) Sign up and tell us about your business (10 minutes). 2) Set up call forwarding from your current number (2 minutes — we guide you). 3) Switch off voicemail with your network so calls forward to Katie instead of voicemail. That's it. Katie starts answering immediately. You can switch back anytime if you're not happy (nobody does, but you can).
Q89. What if I want to keep voicemail as a backup?
You can — set up "forward on no answer" to send calls to Katie after 4-5 rings. If there's ever a technical issue (never happened, but just in case), calls fall back to your voicemail. Most people remove voicemail entirely once they see Katie working — she's simply better at the job.
Q90. Will my customers be confused by the change?
They won't even notice — they'll just be delighted someone finally answered. Instead of getting "Please leave a message after the tone", they get "Hello, Smith Plumbing, how can I help?" Your customers' experience improves immediately. The only people who lose out are your competitors.
12. Switching From a Human Receptionist
Q91. Is Whoza.ai cheaper than a human receptionist?
Dramatically. A full-time receptionist costs: Salary £22,000-£28,000/year, National Insurance £2,000-£3,000/year, Pension £500-£800/year, Holiday/sick cover £2,000-£3,000/year. Total: £26,500-£34,800/year.Whoza.ai costs £708-£4,788/year. Even our Scale tier is 95% cheaper than a human — and Katie never calls in sick, never takes holiday, never has a bad day, and can handle unlimited simultaneous calls.
Q92. Can Whoza.ai replace my current receptionist?
It can, or it can work alongside them. Many businesses use Whoza.ai to: Handle overflow — receptionist takes calls during office hours, Katie handles evenings, weekends, and busy periods. Cover absence — no need for temp agencies when your receptionist is on holiday. Handle all calls — especially for sole traders who can't justify a full-time employee.
Q93. What can a human receptionist do that Katie can't?
A human can physically greet people at your premises, handle cash payments, and do general admin. But for phone call handling specifically, Katie actually outperforms humans in several ways: Answers unlimited calls simultaneously (humans: one at a time), works 24/7 without breaks (humans: 9-5 with lunch, holidays, sick days), never forgets to ask a question (humans: have off days), sends instant digital summaries (humans: scribble notes, lose paper), and costs 95% less (Growth tier at £125/month vs £2,500+/month for a human).
Q94. I feel bad replacing a person with AI — what about their job?
We understand this concern. In practice, most trade businesses don't have a receptionist to replace — the owner answers the phone themselves (while trying to work). For businesses that do have admin staff, Whoza.ai usually handles the calls they were struggling to manage anyway, freeing them up for more valuable work like scheduling, customer service, and business development. The receptionist becomes an office manager rather than a phone operator.
13. Legal, GDPR & Data Protection
Q95. Is using an AI receptionist legal in the UK?
Yes — absolutely legal. AI receptionists are telephone answering services, which have been used by UK businesses for decades. Whoza.ai is a data processor acting on your behalf (you're the data controller). We comply fully with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and all relevant regulations.
Q96. Is recording phone calls legal under UK law?
Call recording has specific requirements under UK law (RIPA 2000 and GDPR). That's why Whoza.ai does not record audio calls. Instead, we provide full call transcripts — a written record of everything said. Transcripts contain the same information as recordings but avoid the legal complexity of audio recording consent, storage, and biometric data classification. You get all the detail with none of the legal risk.
Q97. What data does Whoza.ai store and where?
We store: Customer contact details (name, phone, address) — needed to pass on enquiries. Call transcripts — text records of conversations. Booking information — dates, times, job details. Your business information — services, areas, pricing.All data is stored in UK-based data centres (AWS London region). We never transfer personal data outside the UK without appropriate safeguards. We're registered with the ICO and fully GDPR compliant.
Q98. Do I need to tell my customers their call is being handled by AI?
Our AI introduces itself naturally: "I'm Katie, [Business Name]'s assistant." If asked directly, she's honest about being AI. This is transparent without being awkward. Under consumer protection law, there's no specific requirement to announce "This is an AI" — the key is that the service is provided honestly and accurately, which it is. The customer's data is handled securely and only for the purpose of connecting them with your service.
Q99. Who owns the customer data — me or Whoza.ai?
You do. You're the data controller, we're the data processor. Your customer relationships are yours. If you ever leave Whoza.ai, you can export all your customer data, call history, and booking information. We don't keep it, sell it, or use it for anything other than providing your service.
Q100. How long do you keep call transcripts?
By default, 12 months — long enough for you to reference past jobs and disputes, not so long that we're hoarding data unnecessarily. You can adjust this in your settings (shorter or longer). All data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Q101. Is my payment information secure?
Yes — we use Stripe for all payments, which is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant (the highest security standard). We never see or store your card details. Stripe handles everything. Your financial data is as secure as it gets.
Q102. What if there's a data breach?
We have comprehensive security measures and incident response procedures. In the extremely unlikely event of a breach affecting personal data, we would notify you and the ICO within 72 hours as required by GDPR. We've never had a breach and our security practices are designed to prevent them.
14. Pricing, Trials & Getting Started
Q103. How do I sign up for Whoza.ai?
Visit whoza.ai and click "Start Free Trial." You'll answer a few questions about your business (trade, areas, services), choose your tier, and Katie will be configured within 24 hours. No credit card required for the trial.
Q104. What's included in the 7-day free trial?
Everything. You get the full functionality of your chosen tier — unlimited calls, WhatsApp summaries, calendar integration (Pro/Scale), Claire review requests (where included), the lot. We want you to see the full value, not a restricted demo. Most tradespeople see results within the first few days.
Q105. What happens after the trial ends?
You choose to continue or cancel. If you continue, we start billing monthly. If you cancel, no hard feelings — you can export your data and go back to missing calls. (As we said, almost nobody cancels once they've experienced Katie in action.)
Q106. Can I change tiers later?
Yes — upgrade or downgrade anytime from your dashboard. Upgrades happen immediately. Downgrades take effect at your next billing date. No fees, no fuss.
Q107. Is there a setup fee?
No — setup is free on all tiers. We configure Katie for your business, help you set up call forwarding, and make sure everything works. If you need something complex (multi-location, custom integrations), our team will help at no extra cost.
Q108. Do you offer discounts for annual payment?
Yes — pay annually and get 2 months free (12 months for the price of 10). Most established tradespeople choose this option once they're confident in the service.
Q109. What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) via Stripe. We also accept Direct Debit for annual Scale tier customers. No BACS, no cheques, no cash — we're a modern tech company, not 1997.
Q110. How do I cancel if it's not for me?
Cancel anytime from your dashboard — no phone call required, no retention team giving you the hard sell. Your service continues until the end of your current billing period. You can export all your data before you go. Though as we keep saying, the main reason people cancel is they sold their business for millions and retired to Spain.
Q111. Can I get a refund if I'm not happy?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on your first month (after the free trial). If you're genuinely not satisfied, contact us and we'll refund you. We're confident you won't need it, but the option's there for peace of mind.
Q112. How do I contact Whoza.ai support?
Several ways: WhatsApp — Message us directly (we practice what we preach). Email — support@whoza.ai. Dashboard — Live chat during business hours. Phone — 0131 [number] — yes, we answer our own phones (with Katie, obviously).Response times: WhatsApp and live chat are typically under 5 minutes during business hours. Email within 24 hours. Pro and Scale tiers get priority support.
Q113. What happens if I go over my monthly job limit?
Extra jobs are £4.50 each on Starter, £3.25 on Growth, £2.75 on Pro, and £2.25 on Scale — billed at the end of your billing cycle. We don't cut you off mid-month. If you're consistently going over, we'll suggest upgrading to the next tier (which works out cheaper per job). Your dashboard shows your usage in real-time so there are no surprises.
Q114. Do you work with tradespeople outside the UK?
Currently we focus on the UK market — we understand UK trades, UK regulations, UK customer expectations, and we're Built in Scotland. If you're in Ireland, Australia, or another English-speaking market and interested, let us know — expansion is on our roadmap.
Q115. How many tradespeople are already using Whoza.ai?
As of June 2026, hundreds of UK tradespeople use Whoza.ai across every trade from plumbing to scaffolding. Our customers range from sole traders just starting out to multi-van operations with 15+ engineers. We're a growing, profitable, independent company — not a Silicon Valley startup burning venture capital. Every customer matters to us.
Every question in this FAQ came from real UK tradespeople. Real worries. Real questions. Real money on the line.The bottom line is simple: missing calls costs you £15,000-£30,000 per year. AI receptionists answer every call, capture every enquiry, and deliver it to your WhatsApp in seconds. Whoza.ai costs £59-£399 per month. Even one extra job per month pays for the service.We're built in Scotland. We understand UK trades. We answer our own phones with AI. And we offer a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.If you're still relying on voicemail, still missing calls while you work, still watching jobs go to your competitors — it's time to fix that.
Ready to never miss another call? Start your free trial — 7 days, no credit card, instant setup.
Start Your Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a missed call cost a tradesperson in the UK?
Industry research from 2024 put the average cost of a missed call to UK trades at £1,200 per year in lost revenue. But for a busy sole trader or small team, a single missed call can cost anywhere from £140 to £4,500 depending on your trade.
How many calls do tradespeople miss per week?
A 2025 survey of UK sole traders found the average tradesperson misses 8-12 calls per week. Roofers and scaffolders miss the most (often 15+ per week) because they're physically unable to answer when up a structure.
What percentage of people don't leave voicemail?
85% of people won't leave a voicemail. When you call a plumber and get voicemail, you don't leave a message — you call the next number on Google. That missed caller has already rung two of your competitors before you've even finished your current job.
How much revenue does the average tradesperson lose per year?
Conservative estimate: £15,000 - £30,000 per year for a busy sole trader. If you miss 8 calls/week and 30% were genuine enquiries at £350 average, that's £40,320 in potential revenue. Capturing half with AI gives you £20,000 in found money.
What exactly is an AI receptionist?
An AI receptionist is a virtual agent that answers your business phone calls when you can't. It picks up every call immediately, speaks in natural English, figures out what the customer needs, takes their details, and sends you everything via WhatsApp within seconds. It never sleeps, never takes a day off, and costs less than a day's wage per month.
Does it sound like a robot?
No — Katie sounds natural and conversational. Most callers don't realise they're speaking to AI. She uses natural language, understands context, asks follow-up questions, and handles interruptions gracefully. The voice is warm and professional, not synthetic or robotic.
Can AI book appointments into my diary?
Yes — Katie can check your availability and book appointments directly into Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook. She handles rescheduling, sends confirmations, and even reminds customers about upcoming appointments. Available on Growth, Pro, and Scale tiers.
Can AI handle multiple calls at once?
Yes — unlike a human receptionist who can only take one call at a time, Katie can handle unlimited simultaneous calls. Whether it's 2 calls or 20 calls at once, every caller gets the same professional, patient experience. No engaged tones, no voicemail, no missed opportunities.
How many AI agents does Whoza.ai have?
Three: Katie (AI receptionist) answers every call, qualifies enquiries, and sends WhatsApp summaries. Claire (review manager) automatically requests Google reviews from happy customers. Rex (competitor analyst) monitors your competitors' online presence and alerts you to opportunities.
What happens if Whoza.ai goes down?
Whoza.ai runs on redundant UK-based infrastructure (AWS London) with 99.9% uptime. If there's ever a technical issue, calls can fall back to your voicemail. We've never had a significant outage, and our monitoring systems alert us to any issues within seconds.
Do I need a new phone number?
No — you can keep your existing number. Either port it to Whoza.ai so Katie answers it directly, or forward calls from your current number to your Whoza.ai number when you can't answer. Most customers use call forwarding because it's instant and reversible.
Can I answer some calls myself?
Absolutely — you can answer any call you want. If you pick up, the call connects to you normally. If you miss it or are busy, Katie takes over instantly. You're always in control. Many tradespeople answer calls when they're in the van and let Katie handle them when they're on a job.
What does the caller hear when Katie answers?
Katie answers with a professional greeting: 'Hello, [Your Business Name], how can I help you today?' She sounds like a real receptionist — warm, natural, and helpful. She asks the right questions for your trade, takes details, and reassures the customer that you'll call them back.
Can the caller tell they're speaking to AI?
Most callers can't tell. Katie's voice is natural, her responses are context-aware, and she handles interruptions and changes of topic smoothly. If asked directly, she's honest about being AI. Not a single customer has complained — most just want their leak fixed or their boiler working.
Can Katie book into my calendar?
Yes — Katie integrates with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. She can check your availability, book appointments, send confirmations, and handle rescheduling. The customer gets an instant confirmation, and you get a tidy diary without the back-and-forth phone calls.
How do I get notified about new calls?
WhatsApp messages arrive within 3 seconds of the call ending. Every message includes: customer name, phone number, address/postcode, job details, urgency level, and estimated job value. You also get a full transcript of the conversation. Everything you need to call back informed.
Why WhatsApp instead of email?
WhatsApp is instant, reliable, and already on your phone. Emails get lost in spam or checked once a day. WhatsApp messages pop up immediately, include all details in one place, and let you tap-to-call the customer back. It's the communication method tradespeople actually use.
How does Claire help with Google reviews?
Claire automatically sends review requests to happy customers via WhatsApp after a job is completed. She makes it easy — one tap to leave a Google review. Tradespeople using Claire see 3x more Google reviews, which improves local search rankings and builds trust with new customers.
What does Rex the competitor analyst do?
Rex monitors your competitors' online presence — their Google reviews, pricing, services, and local rankings. He alerts you when a competitor gets a bad review (opportunity to win their customers), when they change pricing, or when they start advertising in your area. Knowledge is power.
Is AI receptionist better than voicemail?
Monumentally better. Voicemail has a 15% answer rate. Katie answers 100% of calls. Voicemail captures name and number (maybe). Katie captures full job details, address, urgency, and estimated value. Voicemail costs £0 but loses you £20k+/year in work. Katie costs £59-£399/month and captures every enquiry.
Is Whoza.ai cheaper than a human receptionist?
Dramatically cheaper. A full-time receptionist costs £26,500-£34,800/year including salary, NI, pension, and holiday cover. Whoza.ai costs £708-£4,788/year. Even our Growth tier at £1,500/year is 95% cheaper than a human — and Katie never calls in sick, never takes holiday, and handles unlimited calls simultaneously.
Is using an AI receptionist legal in the UK?
Yes — absolutely legal. AI receptionists are telephone answering services, which have been used by UK businesses for decades. Whoza.ai is a data processor acting on your behalf. We comply fully with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and all relevant regulations.
Is recording phone calls legal?
Whoza.ai does not record audio calls. Instead, we provide full call transcripts — a written record of everything said. Transcripts contain the same information as recordings but avoid the legal complexity of audio recording consent, storage, and biometric data classification under UK law.
How do I sign up for Whoza.ai?
Visit whoza.ai and click 'Start Free Trial.' Answer a few questions about your business (trade, areas, services), choose your tier, and Katie will be configured within 24 hours. No credit card required for the 7-day trial.
What's included in the 7-day free trial?
Everything. You get the full functionality of your chosen tier — unlimited calls, WhatsApp summaries, calendar integration (Pro/Scale), Claire review requests (where included), the lot. We want you to see the full value, not a restricted demo. Most tradespeople see results within the first few days.
How do I cancel?
Cancel anytime from your dashboard — no phone call required, no retention team giving you the hard sell. Your service continues until the end of your current billing period. You can export all your data before you go. Though most people don't cancel once they've experienced Katie in action.
How much does Whoza.ai cost?
Starter is £59/month for 8 jobs, Growth is £125/month for 16 jobs, Pro is £230/month for 40 jobs, and Scale is £399/month for 100 jobs. Extra jobs are £4.50 (Starter), £3.25 (Growth), £2.75 (Pro), £2.25 (Scale). Annual billing gives you 2 months free.
Can I keep my existing business phone number?
Yes — you can either port your existing number to Whoza.ai or forward calls from your current number to your Whoza.ai number when you can't answer. Most customers use call forwarding because it's instant and reversible.
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