How Much Does an Answering Service Cost?
How much an answering service costs depends mostly on how many minutes of calls you need answered each month. At Advanced Answering, plans start at $65 a month, and plans with included minutes range from $170 to $1,550 a month. Below, we explain how answering service pricing works, what drives the cost up or down, and how to estimate the right plan for your business.
How answering service pricing works
Most answering services charge in one of three ways:
Per minute. You pay for the time operators spend on your calls. This works well when most of your calls are short.
Per call. You pay a set amount for each call, however long it lasts. This can cost more if many of your calls are quick.
Monthly plans with included minutes. You pay a fixed monthly fee that covers a set number of minutes, plus a per-minute rate for anything over. This makes your bill more predictable.
Advanced Answering uses monthly plans with included minutes, plus a pay-as-you-go plan for businesses with only occasional calls.
What affects the cost of an answering service
Call volume and length. More calls, or longer calls, mean more minutes.
Coverage hours. Some businesses need calls answered only after hours. Others want coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What operators do on each call. Taking a message is quicker than scheduling an appointment, screening a call, or following an emergency dispatch protocol.
Language needs. Bilingual English and Spanish answering can matter for medical offices, contractors and property managers.
Extra fees. Ask every provider about setup fees, holiday surcharges, and data storage before you sign.
Advanced Answering Service pricing
Low Volume Plan: $65 a month, plus $1.75 per minute
100 Minute Plan: $170 a month, includes 100 minutes, then $1.80 per extra minute
200 Minute Plan: $320 a month, includes 200 minutes, then $1.80 per extra minute
500 Minute Plan (most popular): $825 a month, includes 500 minutes, then $1.70 per extra minute
1,000 Minute Plan: $1,550 a month, includes 1,000 minutes, then $1.60 per extra minute
Every plan includes live, U.S.-based virtual receptionists, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and no setup fees. You can cancel anytime with 30 days' notice. Holiday coverage and extended data storage may carry additional fees, which we agree on with you before you sign. See our answering service pricing page for full plan details.
How to estimate your monthly minutes
Look at your phone records for a typical month. Multiply the number of calls you want answered by their average length. If you don't have records, a week of tracking calls by hand will give you a reasonable estimate.
Then compare plans at that number of minutes:
Up to about 60 minutes a month, the Low Volume Plan costs less.
From about 60 to 180 minutes, the 100 Minute Plan is the better value.
From about 180 to 480 minutes, the 200 Minute Plan is the better value.
From about 480 to 925 minutes, the 500 Minute Plan is the better value.
Above about 925 minutes, the 1,000 Minute Plan costs less.
If you're unsure, we can look at your call patterns with you and recommend a plan.
Answering service vs. hiring a receptionist
A full-time in-house receptionist costs far more than most answering service plans once you add salary, benefits, training and time off, and a single employee only covers business hours. Our pricing page compares the two side by side. An answering service can also cover evenings, weekends and holidays.
Questions to ask any answering service about pricing
Is there a setup fee?
How are minutes counted, and is time rounded up?
What does each extra minute cost once I pass my plan?
Are holidays or weekends charged differently?
Is there a contract, and what is the cancellation notice?
Is there a trial or money-back guarantee?
Get a quote for your business
Advanced Answering is a family-owned answering service with U.S.-based receptionists, serving businesses nationwide. Tell us about your calls, and we'll recommend the plan that fits.