AI receptionist for plumbers in NZ (2027)
What callers ask, what to set up first, and what it costs, for plumbing businesses in New Zealand.
What callers ask a plumber
Most calls are one of a handful of questions. An AI receptionist handles these well because the answers come from facts you’ve written down once:
| The caller says | What Ora does |
|---|---|
| “My hot water cylinder’s stopped working. Can someone come today?” | Takes the address and what’s happening, says when you’re next free, and books it or takes a lead for you to call back |
| “Do you do the North Shore?” | Answers from the areas you’ve listed |
| “What’s your call-out fee?” | Gives your approved call-out fee, or says you’ll confirm it |
| “Can you give me a quote for a new bathroom?” | Takes the details and books a time for you to look |
| “Are you a real person?” | Says it’s an AI, every time |
What to give it before the first call
- Your areas: suburbs or towns you cover, and the ones you don’t.
- Your services: what you do and what you pass on (gas, drainage, roofing).
- Fees you’re happy to quote, such as a call-out fee, with GST shown the way you invoice it.
- Hours, and what counts as an emergency for you.
- What to collect: name, number, address, what’s wrong, photos if they can text them.
Ora only states facts you’ve approved. When a caller asks something that isn’t covered, it says it isn’t sure and takes the details for you, instead of guessing.
Booking the job
Ora checks your Google Calendar and only books into times that are really free. Leave buffer time between jobs in your calendar so it doesn’t book you across town with no travel time. After each call you get a transcript, a short summary, the caller as a lead and a follow-up task.
Emergencies and after-hours calls
Decide up front what an emergency is (a burst pipe, no water, a gas smell) and what Ora should say: your after-hours number, the call-out rate, or that you’ll call back first thing. If a caller smells gas, set it to tell them to leave the building and call 111. More in our guide to handling after-hours calls.
What it costs in 2027
| Ora plan | Price (plus GST) | Call minutes a month |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | NZ$149 a month | 100 |
| Growth | NZ$349 a month | 400 |
| Team | NZ$790 a month | 1,000, up to 3 businesses or branches |
There are no extra-minute charges: you get an email at 80% and 100% of your minutes, and answering carries on for 20% more. You connect your own phone number through Twilio. Prices are as at 3 November 2026; we’ll recheck them in January 2027. Full detail on the pricing page.
Will customers mind?
Some will want a person, and that’s fine: Ora says it’s an AI on every call and takes a message for you. Most callers care more that someone picked up and their job got booked. Read why an AI caller should say it’s an AI, and compare Ora with voicemail or other AI receptionists in NZ.
Short on time? Read Bjorn’s short version on LinkedIn.
Questions
Can an AI receptionist book plumbing jobs?
Yes. Ora checks your Google Calendar and only books into times that are really free, then sends you the details as a lead and a task.
How much is an AI receptionist for a plumber in NZ?
Ora is NZ$149, NZ$349 or NZ$790 a month plus GST with 100, 400 or 1,000 call minutes. Setup and practice calls are free.
Will it quote prices?
Only prices you approve, such as a call-out fee. For anything else it takes the details so you can quote properly.
Try Ora on your own business.
Free to set up and practise calls in your browser, no card. Or ring Veronica, our own Ora, on 09 873 4723.