Why speed decides the job
A homeowner who submits a request on a lead platform often gets matched with several companies. They don't compare quotes carefully; they book whoever replies first with a concrete time.
Calls follow the same pattern: 85% of callers who can't reach a business won't call back (BIA/Kelsey).
Measure your speed to lead
- For one week, write down when each lead arrived and when someone first replied.
- Split by source: phone, website form, Angi, Thumbtack, Google Local Services, Yelp.
- Note which leads booked.
| Source | Typical problem |
|---|---|
| Phone | Missed while on a job; voicemail |
| Website form | Sits in an inbox until evening |
| Angi / Thumbtack | Competitors reply first |
| Google Local Services | Lead notification read hours later |
Getting to under a minute
- Calls: answer every call (overflow when busy, AI after hours).
- Hang-ups: text back within 30 seconds (Hang-Up Recovery).
- Lead emails: forward them to a line that texts the lead within 60 seconds (Instant Lead Reply).
Lead email from Angi · "Water heater replacement" · texted 41 seconds later
Hi Sarah, this is Rapid Flow Plumbing about your water heater request. Is it leaking now, or are you planning ahead?
Planning. Can someone quote this week?
What Josie does
- Instant Lead Reply: Forward lead emails from Angi, Thumbtack, Yelp, Google LSA and your website. Josie texts every lead in 60 seconds.
- Hang-Up Recovery: Texts callers who hang up within 30 seconds and books them by text.
- Surge Overflow: When the office line is busy or a heat wave hits, Josie answers the overflow, all at once.
- For your trade: 24/7 Emergency Answering Service for Home Service Companies
Common questions
What is speed to lead?
The time from a customer's first contact (call, form or lead platform) to your first real reply.
What is a good speed to lead for home services?
Under a minute is the practical target for calls and lead platforms, because homeowners often contact several companies at once.
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.