Question 1

Do your AI receptionists integrate with my CRM and booking tools?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Optiphone connects natively to ServiceM8 (job management), Xero (accounting), Google Calendar and Outlook / Microsoft 365. Your contacts and bookings sync automatically, and you control whether the AI books into your schedule or just captures the details for your team to confirm. Enterprise plans also support custom API and webhook automations.

Question 2

Does it sound human?

Accepted Answer

Optiphone uses natural Aussie voices trained on thousands of real trade conversations. It mirrors the tone, pace, and phrasing of a seasoned receptionist while staying compliant and on-brand.

Question 3

Can I trust the AI with my customers?

Accepted Answer

Every script is approved by you first. Transcripts and recordings are delivered daily so you can review and fine-tune anything. If a call needs a human, we escalate instantly.

Question 4

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

Most customers are live within 24 hours of completing the optimisation scorecard. Complex integrations can take 2 to 5 business days, but calls can still be answered immediately.

Question 5

Do you offer management?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our team monitors call quality, fine-tunes your scripts, and keeps integrations healthy. On Tradesman plans and above, you also get access to the Optiphone mobile app to manage your call logs, return calls, and update your agent details from anywhere.

Question 6

Can you make edits after go-live?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. On Tradesman plans and above, you can update your agent details, service areas, and call scripts directly from the Optiphone mobile app any time, between jobs. On other plans, reach out to our team and most edits ship the same day.

Question 7

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is tailored to call volume and workflow complexity. Start with the scorecard to see your exact optimisation score and what to improve first, then we will recommend the right plan. No lock-in contracts.

Question 8

Does Optiphone work with ServiceM8?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ServiceM8 is our deepest integration. Every caller is matched against your ServiceM8 contacts, new callers are added as a company and a contact, and the job can be created automatically so enquiries land where you already run the business. Direct scheduling into ServiceM8 is available on Tradesman plans and above, and it stays off until you switch it on.

Question 9

Can it book jobs, or does it just take messages?

Accepted Answer

Both, and you choose. By default the AI captures the job and tells the caller your team will confirm the time, so nothing lands in your diary without you. Switch on direct booking and it books confirmed appointments into ServiceM8, Google Calendar or Outlook instead. Plenty of owners leave booking off on purpose and still get everything they need to pick a time without ringing the customer back.

Question 10

Can I approve bookings before they are confirmed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and that is the default. The AI takes the job details, you review them and confirm the time, and only then does it become a booking. If you would rather the AI never saw your schedule at all, leave your calendar unmapped and it will keep syncing contacts without touching your diary.

Question 11

Do I keep my existing business number?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most customers keep the number they already advertise and forward it to Optiphone, so nothing changes for your customers or your signage. If you would rather we supplied a number, that is $29 a month for your first number and $10 a month for each additional one. You can also bring a number from any other provider at no charge from us.

Question 12

What happens when a call is a genuine emergency?

Accepted Answer

Your agent triages it against the escalation rules you set. A burst pipe at 11 pm, no power, or a failed system in a heatwave is treated as urgent and transferred straight through to whoever is on call. Routine quote requests are captured and left for the morning, so you only get interrupted for the jobs worth being interrupted for.

Question 13

What if the AI cannot answer a question?

Accepted Answer

It does not guess. If a call needs a human it escalates instantly, and if there is something it genuinely cannot answer it says so, takes the caller details, and flags the call for you. Every call is recorded and transcribed, so you can see exactly what was asked and have the answer added to your agent for next time.

Question 14

Do I have to set it up myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Optiphone is done for you, not DIY. On Tradesman plans and above our team builds the agent, writes the scripts, connects your tools and tests the call flows before you go live. Your job is to answer some questions about your business and show up for the onboarding call. Solo is self-serve and runs on a pre-built template agent instead.

Question 15

Is there a setup fee?

Accepted Answer

Solo is $99 a month with no setup fee. Tradesman is $349 a month plus a one-time $1,495 tailored setup, which covers building your agent, writing your scripts, connecting your integrations and the training period. Enterprise is quoted per business. No lock-in contracts on any plan.

Question 16

Which trades is Optiphone built for?

Accepted Answer

Plumbers, electricians, HVAC and air conditioning technicians, pool and spa technicians, landscapers and lawn care operators, cleaners, pest control, handymen, irrigation and solar installers. We also work with real estate agencies and property managers. If your business runs on inbound calls from homeowners, it fits.

How To Forward Your Calls To Your Agent Number

Step-by-step guide

Find your Optiphone agent number

Turn on call forwarding

Test the forwarding

Verify in your dashboard

Provider Direct Approach

SMS method (Telstra)

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