AnswerBack guides
Plumbing Call Intake Questions: What to Get From Every Caller Before You Call Back
A callback goes faster when you already know who called, where the job is and what's wrong. Miss one of those and the first two minutes of the callback are spent asking again, or you drive to the wrong address.
This guide covers the plumbing call intake questions that matter on every call, and how AnswerBack™ collects them on the calls you can't take. AnswerBack is an AI answering service: callers are answered by AI, not a live person.
The three questions that matter most
- What's your name? So you know who you're calling back and can greet them by name.
- What's the service address? Where the job is, which isn't always where the caller is.
- What's the problem, in a sentence? A leak, a clog, a water heater, a running toilet. Enough to know what to bring and how urgent it sounds.
That's the core of good intake: short, consistent and the same on every call. AnswerBack asks for exactly these on each forwarded call and sends them to you by text.
Helpful extras
- A photo of the problem. Callers can text a photo, so your callback starts with a tighter quote. See price ranges and photo by text.
- A price range. Callers can hear typical ranges from your price sheet (or AnswerBack's until you send one). These are estimates only. You set the real price.
What not to do on intake
- Don't diagnose over the phone. AnswerBack doesn't diagnose emergencies, dispatch or guarantee appointments, and it doesn't replace a licensed plumber.
- Don't quote a firm price. Ranges are estimates, not quotes.
- Don't skip safety. In a life-threatening emergency, callers should call 911.
- Don't text without consent. AnswerBack sends a follow-up text only if the caller agrees during the call. Callers can reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help.
How AnswerBack handles intake
AnswerBack serves plumbers nationwide across the United States.
- Keep your number. Forward only the calls you choose. Setup help: call forwarding codes for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
- The call is answered and the caller is asked for their name, service address and the problem.
- You get it by text, ready to read between jobs.
Full walk-through: what happens to a forwarded call.
Plans
Every plan starts with a free 14-day pilot: no card, no charge, and nothing renews into a paid plan unless you opt in. After that, plans are Solo $99, Pro $179 or Crew $299 a month. Monthly plans have a one-time $149 setup. Pro adds your own price sheet loaded and up to 2 forwarded numbers. Crew covers up to 5 trucks and adds a weekly lead report. See pricing and what the free pilot includes.
Policies: Cancellation & Refund Policy and SMS Terms.
Request the free pilot or call our main line at +1 (724) 618-3866. If the main line doesn't connect, use (205) 851-5102. Calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance.
FAQ
What details do I get after a call?
The caller's name, service address and a short description of the issue, by text.
Can I use my own price sheet?
Yes, on Pro and Crew. Until you send one, callers hear typical ranges from AnswerBack's sheet, as estimates only.
Do I need a new number?
No. You keep your number and forward the calls you choose.