The True Cost of Missed Calls: Why Voicemail is Leaking Money from Your Business

In Brief: Key Takeaways

• Discover the shocking 2026 statistic that proves 85% of your missed calls are going straight to your competitors.

• Calculate the true financial cost of letting calls go to voicemail (hint: it’s likely costing you over $1,500 a week).

• Learn how an AI receptionist stops the revenue leak instantly, capturing leads while you stay on the tools.

The silent killer of trade business growth

We have all been there. You are under a house, on a roof, or deep in a complex install. The phone in your pocket buzzes. You check it, see a number you don’t know, and let it go to voicemail. "I’ll call them back in ten," you tell yourself.

It feels like a small moment. But in 2026, that small moment is one of the most expensive habits in your business.

Recent industry data paints a stark picture: approximately 85% of potential customers who hit voicemail will not leave a message. They won't wait for you to call back. They will simply hang up and dial the next number on Google. In a competitive market, speed isn't just an advantage; it is the only thing that matters.

Do the maths on the Cost of Missed Calls

Let’s look at the numbers. If your average job is worth $500, and you miss just three calls a week where the potential client moves on to a competitor, that is $1,500 a week in lost revenue. Over a year, that is nearly $80,000 leaking out of your business—not because you aren't good at what you do, but simply because you couldn't pick up the phone.

For the partners running the books at home, this is equally frustrating. You see the gaps in the schedule and the marketing spend going out, knowing that leads are coming in but failing to convert simply because the phone line wasn't manned.

Stop working for your phone

The old solution was to hire a full-time receptionist, which comes with significant overheads—wages, super, sick leave. The alternative was answering calls yourself at 7 PM, cutting into family time and leading to burnout.

This is why we built Liz.

Liz isn't just an "answering service." She is an AI Receptionist designed specifically for trade and service businesses. She answers 24/7, filters out the spam, and speaks to your customers with the warmth and professionalism of a seasoned office manager.

Capture every lead, every time

With Liz, you never miss a lead. If a customer calls while you are on the tools, Liz picks up. She qualifies the inquiry, takes the details, and can even book a site inspection directly into your calendar.

By the time you check your phone, you don't have a voicemail to chase; you have a booked appointment or a qualified lead waiting for a quote. Stop letting voicemail cost you money.

Let Liz handle the front desk, so you can handle the job.

Get off the Phone. Stay on the Tools