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Why 62% of Small Business Calls Go Unanswered (And What It's Costing You)

5 min read

If you're a contractor, chances are you've missed a call while up on a ladder, under a sink, or driving to your next job. It happens. But new research shows just how big this problem really is — and it might surprise you.

62% of small business calls go unanswered

The Numbers Don't Lie

A recent study of over 10,000 small businesses found that nearly two-thirds of incoming calls never get answered. For contractors specifically, the numbers are even worse — with some trades missing up to 70% of calls during peak working hours.

Think about it: if you're getting 20 calls a week, that means 12-14 potential customers are hearing your voicemail instead of your voice.

Calls Missed by Time of Day

8am - 10am
45%
10am - 12pm
72%
12pm - 2pm
68%
2pm - 4pm
75%
4pm - 6pm
58%

Peak missed call times align with when contractors are busiest on job sites

Why It Happens

The reasons are predictable but important to understand:

Hands are busy

You can't answer when you're holding tools, materials, or working in tight spaces.

Safety concerns

Taking calls on ladders or around electricity isn't just impractical — it's dangerous.

Client conversations

You're already talking to one customer and can't interrupt to take another call.

Spam fatigue

After the 10th robocall, it's tempting to just let everything go to voicemail.

The Real Cost

Here's where it gets painful. Industry data shows that 85% of callers who reach voicemail won't leave a message. And of those who don't leave a message, 75% will simply call your competitor instead.

If your average job is worth $500, missing just 5 calls a week could cost you $10,000+ per month in lost revenue.

What Can You Do?

The good news is this is a solvable problem. Here are your options:

  1. Hire a receptionist — Expensive ($2,500-4,000/month) but effective
  2. Use an answering service — Cheaper but often impersonal
  3. Try an AI assistant — Modern solutions like RingAssist can answer calls, gather job details, and text you summaries in real-time

The key is finding a solution that fits your budget while still capturing those leads. Because every unanswered call is a customer you'll never meet.

Stop Missing Calls Today

RingAssist answers your calls, filters spam, and sends you the details instantly.

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