The core script
Three rules: say the number plainly, say what it covers in five words or fewer, and end with a question that can only be answered yes or no.
Scripts by trade
| Trade | Script (example amounts) |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | "Our after-hours emergency visit is $189, credited toward the repair. Do you want me to send a plumber tonight?" |
| HVAC | "Our after-hours visit is $149, and it goes toward the repair if you go ahead. Shall I send a technician tonight?" |
| Locksmith | "Our after-hours call-out is $125. Shall I send a locksmith now?" |
| Restoration | "Our emergency response visit is $250, which covers the assessment and starting extraction. Shall I send the crew tonight?" |
| IT support | "After-hours emergency support is $150 an hour, billed to your account. Shall I page the on-call engineer?" |
| Towing | "The hook-up is $95 plus $4 a mile. Shall I send a driver now?" |
Handling the hard questions
"How much will the whole repair cost?"
"The technician will give you a price before doing any work. The $189 gets them there tonight and goes toward the repair."
"That's too expensive."
"I understand. If it can wait, I can book you in at 8am tomorrow with no after-hours charge. Would that work?" Then make sure they can make the home safe overnight (shut-off, breaker).
"Can I pay when they get here?"
Your call. If you collect upfront, this is where you text your own payment link.
Our after-hours emergency visit is $189, credited toward the repair. Do you want me to send someone tonight?
That's a lot. It's stopped dripping now that I turned the valve.
Then it can safely wait. I can book 8am tomorrow with no after-hours charge.
Fee declined · booked 8:00am · nobody woken
Make it consistent
A script only works if it's used on every call. That's the point of Emergency Fee Consent: the same words, every emergency call, with the answer recorded.
What Josie does
- Emergency Fee Consent + Payment Link: States your after-hours fee and gets a clear yes before anyone is woken. Can text a payment link.
- Next-Day Booking: Routine night calls get booked into tomorrow's first slots instead of "call us back".
- 24/7 Emergency Line: Answers every after-hours call and sorts real emergencies from routine jobs with your rules.
- For your trade: 24/7 Emergency Answering Service for Home Service Companies
Common questions
What should I say when quoting an emergency fee?
The amount, what it covers, and a yes-or-no question: "Our after-hours emergency visit is $189, credited toward the repair. Do you want me to send someone tonight?"
Should the fee be credited toward the repair?
Many plumbing and HVAC companies do, because it makes the yes easier. Others keep it separate. Either works if it is said clearly.
What does HireJosie cost?
HireJosie is $29/month for 200 AI minutes, starting with a 7-day free trial — cancel before day 7 and you pay nothing. Pro is $79/month for 500 minutes, with $0.25/minute overage after that. Every feature is on every plan, and every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.