An answering service takes a message. The Lead Furnace keeps the job moving.
Answering services put a real person on the phone, which beats voicemail. But the caller still waits for you to call back, and nothing follows up after that. The Lead Furnace texts back missed calls, follows up on quotes, and asks for reviews, all from one system on your phone.
Want a voice on the phone too? Full Flame adds an AI receptionist that books the job instead of taking a message.
What happens after the phone rings.
An answering service covers the first minute of the call. The Lead Furnace covers everything from the first ring to the review after the job.
| The Lead Furnace | Answering service | |
|---|---|---|
| When you miss a call | The caller gets a text from your number in about 5 seconds | A person answers and takes a message |
| Booking the job | You reply by text when you are free, or the AI receptionist in Full Flame books it on the call | You call back later and hope they still need you |
| Website and form leads | Land in the same inbox and get an instant reply | Not covered |
| Follow-up on quotes | Automatic, by text and email | Not included |
| Review requests | Sent after every job | Not included |
| Your website | Built for your trade and included | Not included |
| How you pay | Plans from $299 a month, with no contract | Usually by the minute or by the call |
Answering service features and pricing vary by provider and plan. Check current terms with each provider.
A message is not a booked job.
When a homeowner calls about a leak or a broken spring, they usually call the next company if nobody gets back to them quickly. A message in your inbox does not stop that. A text from your business that says you got their call, and asks what is going on, usually does.
- The homeowner hears from your business right away, not from a service with a script.
- You see the whole conversation on your phone and reply when you climb off the ladder.
- Quotes that go quiet get a friendly nudge, so fewer bids are forgotten.
- Every finished job asks for a Google review, which brings in the next call.
Questions about answering services.
Can I keep my answering service?+
Yes. Some owners keep it for live calls during business hours. The Lead Furnace still texts back any call that goes unanswered and handles everything after the call.
Will someone actually answer the phone?+
Pilot Light, at $299 a month, texts back missed calls. If you want a live answer, Full Flame adds an AI receptionist that answers the calls you cannot pick up and books the job while the homeowner is still on the phone. Full Flame is $597 a month with 200 minutes included, and you can also add the receptionist to Pilot Light later for $497 a month.
Do I keep my phone number?+
Yes. We forward your calls through the new system, so customers keep calling the number they already have.