How Much Does an AI Receptionist Cost?
A custom-built AI receptionist from a done-for-you studio like Handbuilt AI typically costs $1,500–$3,500 CAD as a one-time build fee — no monthly platform licence. Monthly SaaS AI receptionist tools run $50–$300/month. Human receptionists or answering services cost $800–$2,000/month. Ongoing LLM API usage for a small business is usually $5–$50/month.
Three Ways to Get an AI Receptionist
There are three main options, and the long-term costs look very different.
- Custom build (e.g. Handbuilt AI): $1,500–$3,500 CAD one-time. A trained AI voice or chat agent built specifically for your business — your hours, services, and tone. No monthly platform fee beyond LLM API usage.
- SaaS receptionist platforms: $50–$300/month ongoing. Off-the-shelf tools you configure yourself. Lower upfront but generic, and setup is on you.
- Human receptionist or answering service: $800–$2,000+/month. Best judgment, highest cost, limited after-hours coverage unless you pay significantly more.
What Drives the Build Price?
For a custom-built AI receptionist, price depends on how many scenarios it needs to handle (FAQs, booking, quoting, emergency routing), whether it connects to your calendar or CRM, and whether it handles phone voice, chat, or both. A straightforward chat receptionist for a single-trade contractor typically lands around $1,500. A phone-and-chat system with live calendar booking and lead logging runs closer to $2,000–$2,500.
Ongoing Costs After Build
Once built, the main recurring cost is LLM API usage — what the underlying AI model charges per conversation. For a local service business handling 50–200 AI interactions per month, this is typically $5–$50/month. Handbuilt also offers an optional Care Plan at $99/month CAD for monitoring, prompt updates, and priority support.
Best For / Not Best For
A custom-built AI receptionist fits best when you regularly miss after-hours calls, answer the same questions repeatedly, or want 24/7 first-contact coverage without hiring. It is not the right fit for businesses with very low call volume (under 20 calls/month), where every call requires nuanced human judgment, or where sensitive complaints are the norm.
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No platform fee — you own the build. The only ongoing cost is LLM API usage ($5–$50/month typically) and the optional Care Plan at $99/month CAD if you want Handbuilt monitoring and updating it for you.
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