The After-Hours Problem
35% of customer calls come outside business hours. But when they hit voicemail, 85% won't leave a message - they'll call your competitor who actually answers. For service businesses, this isn't just inconvenient. It's expensive.
- Customers with emergencies call at night - burst pipes, AC failures, electrical issues. They need help NOW, not a voicemail.
- 85% of callers who reach voicemail hang up and call your competitor instead.
- Hiring night staff costs $25-35/hour plus benefits. That's $15,000+ per year just for nights.
- Traditional after-hours services charge $1-3 per minute. A 10-minute call costs more than a month of SkipCalls.
- You're exhausted from being "always on call" - answering at dinner, on vacation, at your kid's game.
The Solution: AI That Works While You Sleep
SkipCalls AI answers every call, any time of day or night. It handles routine inquiries, books appointments, and intelligently routes true emergencies - so you can finally get some sleep without losing business.
True 24/7 Coverage
Never miss a call at 2 AM, on Sunday morning, or during holidays. Your AI receptionist works every hour of every day.
Emergency Triage
AI identifies true emergencies and can forward urgent calls to you, while handling routine inquiries without waking you.
Appointment Booking
Even at 11 PM, callers can book appointments that sync directly to your calendar. No missed opportunities.
Instant Notifications
Get text/email summaries immediately after each call. See who called, what they needed, and if it's urgent.
Industries That Need After-Hours Answering
Emergencies don't check business hours. Here's where 24/7 coverage matters most.
HVAC & Plumbing
Furnace dies at midnight, pipes burst on Saturday. These emergencies need immediate response.
"My basement is flooding - I need a plumber NOW!"
Electrical
Power outages, sparking outlets, no heat. Electrical emergencies are time-sensitive.
"There's a burning smell coming from our breaker box!"
Property Management
Tenants have issues 24/7 - lockouts, leaks, heating failures. Be responsive without sacrificing your nights.
"I'm locked out and my kids are inside!"
Medical & Dental
Patients need to schedule urgent appointments or have questions about after-hours care.
"My tooth is killing me - do you have any openings tomorrow?"
How After-Hours Answering Works
Here's what happens when a customer calls your business at 10 PM.
Customer calls after hours
"Hi, my water heater just started leaking everywhere..." at 10:30 PM
AI answers immediately
No voicemail, no hold music. Natural conversation starts within 1 second.
AI gathers key details
Address, nature of emergency, contact info. Smart questions based on your business type.
AI determines urgency
True emergency? AI can forward to your cell or on-call tech. Routine inquiry? Books appointment for next day.
You get notified
Text and email with full summary. Sleep peacefully knowing every call is handled.
SkipCalls vs. Traditional After-Hours Services
| Feature | SkipCalls | Traditional Services |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $8.25/mo ($99/yr) | $200-800/mo |
| Per-Minute Fees | None | $1-3/minute |
| Weekend/Holiday Coverage | Included | Extra charge |
| Emergency Forwarding | Included | $50-100/mo extra |
| Appointment Booking | Included | Often not available |
| Setup Time | 60 seconds | Days/weeks |
| Contract Required | No | Often 12+ months |
The Math: One After-Hours Job Pays for 5+ Years
Miss just ONE after-hours emergency because you were unavailable, and you've lost more than 5 years of SkipCalls would cost. How many calls are you missing right now?
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when someone calls after hours?
The AI answers immediately - no voicemail, no hold time. It has a natural conversation with the caller, gathers their information, determines if it's urgent, and either books an appointment or forwards true emergencies to you based on your preferences.
Can the AI tell the difference between an emergency and a routine call?
Yes. You define what counts as an emergency for your business (e.g., "flooding," "no heat in winter," "sparking electrical"). The AI asks clarifying questions and routes accordingly. Emergencies get forwarded to you; routine calls get handled or scheduled.
Will I get woken up for every call?
No. By default, you'll only get woken up for calls you've marked as emergencies. Routine inquiries get handled by the AI, and you get a text summary you can review in the morning.
What if I want to be completely unreachable at night?
You can set "Do Not Disturb" hours where no calls are forwarded regardless of urgency. The AI will still handle all calls professionally and you'll get summaries when you wake up.
How does this compare to a traditional answering service?
Traditional services charge $200-800/month with additional per-minute fees ($1-3/min). A 10-minute call can cost $20-30. SkipCalls is $99/year with unlimited calls - even at 3 AM on Christmas.
Can callers still leave a voicemail if they prefer?
The AI is designed to handle calls so callers don't need voicemail. But if someone specifically asks, the AI can take a message. Most callers prefer the immediate help the AI provides.