How much does answering cost?
Updated May 20, 2026
Direct answer
Answering costs depend on call volume, coverage hours, and whether you need basic message taking, lead qualification, appointment scheduling, or after-hours support. Tinylawn starts at $49 per month for green industry teams.
Answering costs vary because providers sell different things. Some traditional services charge for minutes. Some charge per call. Some include only business-hours coverage. Others charge more for nights, weekends, transfers, or scheduling.
AI answering services usually cost less because they can answer many calls without staffing a human receptionist for every conversation. Tinylawn starts at $49 per month and includes 24/7 answering, lead capture, bilingual support, and scheduling features.
When comparing costs, ask what is included. Does the service ask useful questions? Does it handle spam? Does it book appointments? Does it send recordings and summaries? Does it understand your industry?
The cheapest option is not always the best. The right comparison is cost versus booked opportunities, owner time saved, and the value of calls that no longer go to voicemail.