Guide
Missed call text back for contractors and plumbers
Short answer: Missed call text back sends an automatic text to anyone whose call you couldn't pick up, so they text you the job instead of calling the next shop. For one truck, Recoverly starts at $14.99/mo. For a crew sharing one number, Loonext is $29/mo flat. If you want the job booked by text, CallsIn starts at $49/mo and books from $79.
Why it matters for plumbers and contractors
You miss calls because you're under a sink, on a roof or driving between jobs. A homeowner with water on the floor won't leave a voicemail. They call the next number on Google. A text that lands within a few seconds tells them a real business saw the call and asks them what's going on. Many of them will answer by text, send a photo and wait for you.
Want to see what those calls are worth? Put your own numbers into the missed call cost calculator.
What the text should say
Keep it short, name your business and ask one question. Three that work:
- Plumber: "Hi, this is Oak Street Plumbing. Sorry we missed you, we're on a job. Is this an emergency like a leak or no hot water? Reply here and we'll call you right back."
- HVAC: "Thanks for calling Northside Heating and Air. We're with a customer right now. Is your system out completely? Text us your address and what it's doing."
- General contractor: "Hi, it's Mike from Summit Builders. Missed your call, I'm on site. What's the project? Feel free to text photos and I'll get back to you today."
Don't promise a time you can't keep. If you say "within the hour", call back within the hour.
What it costs
Prices checked October 26, 2026 on each vendor's own site. Prices change, so confirm with the vendor before you buy.
| Tool | Starting price as published | Missed call text back | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recoverly | $14.99/mo, Complete $34.99/mo | Yes, that's the product. It follows up and collects job details and photos | You're solo and want the cheapest dedicated option |
| Loonext | $29/mo flat for 3 people, Pro $79/mo for 15 | Yes. Missed callers get a voicemail and an automatic text back | Your crew shares one texting number |
| CallsIn | $49/mo Lite, $79/mo with AI booking by text | Yes, on every plan | You want the job booked by text without a full AI receptionist |
| Leadferno | $150/mo, $135 billed annually | Not listed on its pricing page | Your office wants one texting inbox and a web to text widget |
| LeadTruffle | Custom quote | Yes, listed as a product | You buy leads from Google LSA, Thumbtack, Yelp or Angi |
| Podium | Custom quote | Not shown on its pricing page | You run several locations and want texting, reviews and payments in one place |
| Broadly | Conversations AI Pro $149/mo | Yes, on the $149 Pro tier and on packages from $699 | You also want reviews and local marketing from the same vendor |
| Quo | $19 per user a month | Auto replies to missed calls, texts and voicemails | You want a business phone app with texting for a small team |
Most of these use a business texting number, and US carriers want that number registered before it can text customers. Loonext charges a one time $29 for it and says texting turns on in about a week. Ask any vendor how long it takes before you rely on it.
Text back or an AI receptionist?
Text back is cheap and simple, and it works when callers are happy to text and wait. It doesn't help the caller who wants someone right now, like a burst pipe at 2 in the morning. An AI receptionist answers the call itself, takes the details and can book the job or page whoever is on call. Plans on TradePhone start at $14/mo. See every price side by side on our AI receptionist pricing page, or read the best AI answering service for plumbers.
Some shops run both: the AI answers after hours, and text back covers the calls they miss during the day.
How to test it before you pay
- Call your business number from a cell phone and let it ring out. Time how long the text takes to arrive.
- Reply with a fake job and a photo. Check that it reaches whoever is on duty, not just one person's phone.
- Reply STOP and make sure it stops texting that number.
- Look at the bill after a week. Some plans count texts or credits, and photos can cost more.
FAQ
- What is missed call text back?
- It's an automatic text sent from your business number to anyone whose call you didn't answer. The caller knows you saw the call, and they can text you the job details instead of calling the next plumber on the list.
- What does missed call text back cost?
- On TradePhone, Recoverly starts at $14.99/mo, Loonext is $29/mo flat for up to 3 people, CallsIn starts at $49/mo and Leadferno starts at $150/mo. Prices checked October 26, 2026 on each vendor's site.
- Do I need to register my number to send texts?
- In the US, business texting from a local number goes through carrier registration. Loonext, for example, charges a one time $29 for it and says texting turns on in about a week. Ask any vendor how long registration takes before you count on it.
- Is text back enough, or do I need an AI receptionist?
- Text back is enough if most missed callers will text you the job and wait for a callback. If you lose emergency calls because nobody answers, an AI receptionist answers the call itself. See our AI receptionist pricing page for real prices.
- Will my current number work?
- Recoverly and CallsIn say you keep your existing business number. Loonext gives you a business number the crew shares. Check how each one connects before you switch.