What a missed call really costs a tradesperson

The quick sum

Take the calls you miss in a normal week. Work out how many of those would have turned into a job. Multiply by what an average job is worth to you. That's roughly the work missed calls cost you each week.

Calls missed a week × share that would book × average job value = the work you miss each week

Say you miss 5 calls a week, 3 in 10 would have booked, and your average job is £300. That's about £450 of work a week, or £21,600 over 48 working weeks. Your numbers will be different, so use your own. The free calculator below does the sum for you.

Why one missed call can cost more than one job

Someone who can't get through usually rings the next number on the list. If that trade does a good job, the customer goes back to them next time and tells the neighbours. So a missed call can cost the repeat work and the recommendations, not just the job in front of you.

It also costs time. Ringing back a voicemail that just says "it's about the boiler" often means a second and third call before you even know whether it's a job worth taking.

Five ways to miss fewer calls

1. Know your number. Count the missed calls in your phone's call log for one normal week. Most people are surprised either way.
2. Fix your voicemail greeting. Ask callers for their name, postcode and what the job is, so you can ring the urgent ones back first.
3. Ring back fast. The sooner you call back, the less likely they've already booked someone else.
4. Divert when you're on a job. Send the calls you can't take to someone, or something, that can answer.
5. Get every call answered. An answering service or an AI receptionist picks up when you can't. Compare what it costs with your number from step 1.

Work out your own number

Use the missed-call cost calculator: three questions, your own numbers, about two minutes. It works on your phone, and nothing you type is saved or sent.