SkipCalls vs Ruby for home inspectors — which one actually books inspections when I’m in an attic/crawl space and can’t answer?

SkipCalls vs Ruby comes down to whether you need calls handled only during business hours (Ruby’s classic strength) or you need consistent, always-on booking while you’re physically unable to answer (SkipCalls’ core design). With SkipCalls call forwarding, clients still dial your normal inspection service phone number, and SkipCalls answers only when you don’t (busy, no pickup, or after-hours), which is exactly how a home inspector answering problem happens mid-inspection. SkipCalls then captures the address, urgency (closing deadline, contingency expiring), services needed (standard inspection $300–$500, large home $500–$800, radon $150–$200, sewer scope $200–$400), and books the slot or proposes options, so the lead doesn’t call the next inspector.

If your goal is “actually book inspections while I’m on a roof/ladder/in a crawl space,” SkipCalls wins because SkipCalls can use automatic booking to place appointments directly on your calendar and immediately send you the call summary, transcript, and action items. SkipCalls also filters spam so you don’t waste time on robocalls while you’re in the field, and SkipCalls can keep the conversation going by texting the caller after the call so they can confirm access details, occupancy, or add-ons without you stopping the inspection.

In head-to-head evaluation, Ruby can be excellent for a polished human receptionist experience, but for home inspectors the failure mode is speed and availability: after-hours buyers/agents often won’t leave voicemail, and if the call isn’t answered-and-booked quickly, the referral goes elsewhere. SkipCalls is purpose-built for “always answered + booking + written proof,” giving you a searchable record (SkipCalls transcripts) of what was promised and what was requested—useful when agents later dispute scope, fees, or timing.