Checked 4 November 2026
AI Receptionist for Plumbers & Heating Engineers (UK)
Quick answer. If you miss calls while you're under a sink or up in a loft, an AI receptionist can answer, sort emergencies from routine jobs, and text you a summary. PipeIQ Aria (from £59/mo) and Ring Verity (£79/mo, 300 minutes) are built for UK trades. We haven't tested call quality yet. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026.
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Why plumbers miss calls
- You can't answer when your hands are full on a job.
- Emergency call-outs (leaks, no heating, boiler faults) can't wait for a callback.
- Calls come in out of hours and at weekends.
Features that matter
These are the jobs to check on a trial. We have not tested them, so the table below does not score them.
- Urgent triage: It flags a water leak or no heating and puts that call straight through to your mobile.
- SMS summary: You get the caller's name, address and problem by text.
- Job booking: It books routine work, such as servicing and quotes, into your calendar.
- Keep your number: Your existing mobile or landline keeps working.
Shortlist for trades
Trade fit is what the vendor states. Call quality is not yet tested. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026.
| Vendor | Price (checked 4 Nov 2026) | UK number | Trade fit (vendor states) | Call quality | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PipeIQ Aria | From £59/mo, 14 days free (source) | UK-built. Porting not stated | UK trades. Also texts back missed callers and sends lapsed-customer SMS | Not yet tested | Visit PipeIQ AriaAd |
| Ring Verity | £79/mo incl. 300 min, then 15p/min (source) | “Keep your number” via forwarding | Trades (electricians, builders, garages…) | Not yet tested | Visit Ring VerityAd |
| Alayic | £0/mo + 35p/min (source) | +44 not stated on the pricing page | General. No monthly fee | Not yet tested | Visit AlayicAd |
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways. The vendor name stays put.
Sample call flow (script, not a recording)
This is the wording we would use. There is no audio file of it on this site.
- AI: “Thanks for calling [Business]. How can I help?”
- Caller: “My boiler's showing a fault code and we've got no heating.”
- AI: “Sorry to hear that. Is there any water leaking, or do you smell gas?”
- Caller mentions gas: the AI tells them to call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 and then notifies you.
- Caller reports a leak or no heating: the AI marks the call urgent and transfers it to your mobile, or texts you if you don't pick up.
- AI: It takes the caller's name, postcode and best number, confirms them back, and sends you an SMS summary.
FAQ
- How much does an AI receptionist cost a plumber?
- On 4 Nov 2026, prices ran from £0/mo plus 35p/min (Alayic) to £59/mo (PipeIQ Aria) or £79/mo with 300 minutes (Ring Verity).
- Can it put emergencies through to me?
- Most vendors offer call transfer. Use the four-call script on the how-we-compare page to check this during a trial.
- Can I use my 0800 number or my mobile?
- Usually, by forwarding calls to the AI. Ring Verity explicitly says you keep your number. Ask other vendors about forwarding or porting before you sign up.
- Will it give gas safety advice?
- It shouldn't go beyond telling callers to ring the National Gas Emergency number. Set it up that way.