An affordable AI receptionist for contractors, at $49 a month
Buildrok is an AI receptionist for small trade businesses that costs $49 a month, with 150 minutes of calls and setup included. When you can't pick up, it answers on the number you already have, takes down the job and emails it to you, with the recording, in your Lead Inbox.
It never quotes a price, never pretends to be a person, and flags urgent calls at the top.
If you go over your minutes, it switches to taking messages instead of charging you more, and answers in full again when your minutes reset, on the same date each month.
How it works
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We set it up for you.
Tell us about your business on a call. We build your receptionist around your services, hours and area, and it rings you so you hear it before it takes a real call.
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Forward the calls you miss.
Dial one code from your cell. Your phone still rings first. You keep your number.
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Jobs land in your inbox.
Each job lists who called, where they are, what's wrong, how urgent it is and when to call back. It's emailed to you and saved in your Lead Inbox with the recording.
Want the whole setup, start to finish? See how it works
By trade
- Plumbers
- You're under a sink. It asks what's happening, whether water is leaking right now, when they need someone, and, for a water heater, whether it's gas or electric and roughly how old it is.
- Heating and air
- You're up in an attic. Mark no-heat or no-AC calls as urgent so they land at the top of your Lead Inbox.
- Electricians
- You're wiring a panel. If a caller reports smoke or sparks, it tells them to stay away and call 911. It flags a burning smell from an outlet as urgent.
- Roofers
- You're up on a roof. It takes down storm damage and active leaks, and it won't advise on insurance or promise a time.
- General contractors
- You're on a job site. Every call becomes a written lead you can work through from one list.
- House cleaners
- You're mid-clean. It asks about home size, pets and dates, and leaves pricing to you.
- Landscapers, mobile detailers, movers and more
- It asks each trade its own questions.
How Buildrok compares
| What's compared | Buildrok | Jodie (Basic) | Smith.ai | Ruby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who answers | AI | AI | Human receptionists, or AI with human backup | Human receptionists |
| Starting price | $49 a month, 150 minutes of calls | $49 per month, unlimited minutes (fair use up to 1,000 calls a month) | AI: free for 25 calls a month, then $3.00 a call. Human receptionists: from $300 a month for 30 calls | $250 a month for 50 receptionist minutes |
| Going over the limit | Switches to taking messages, with no extra charge | None up to fair use | Charged per call: $3.00 past 25 calls on the free AI plan, where overages can be switched off, and $11.50 past 30 calls on the $300 plan | Extra minutes are billed at your plan's overage rate |
| Setup | Done for you, included | Self-serve, 7 days free with no credit card | Self-serve on the free AI plan. No setup fees | No setup or onboarding fees |
| Booking and transfers | Books appointments into your calendar through Cal.com. Puts callers through to your cell if you give it the number | No booking or call transfers on Basic | Books appointments and transfers calls. On the human plans booking is $1.50 a call, and the $300 plan includes one transfer destination | Schedules appointments and transfers calls to any number you choose |
| Keeps your number | Yes | Yes | You get a dedicated number, or can port your own at no charge | Yes |
Each service's prices and plan details are from its own pages: heyjodie.com (checked October 12, 2026); Smith.ai's AI plans, human plans and AI receptionist page; and Ruby's pricing and FAQs (Smith.ai and Ruby checked October 13, 2026). Prices change, so read theirs before you decide.
Honest take: if you get a lot of calls, Jodie's unlimited minutes may cost less than 150 included minutes. If you want a human on the line, look at Smith.ai or Ruby.
FAQ
Something not covered here? Book a demo
What does it cost?
$49 a month, with 150 minutes of calls. If you go over, it switches to taking messages instead of charging you more, and answers in full again when your minutes reset, on the same date each month. A busier line can have 400 minutes for $99 a month. Setup is included.
Do I keep my phone number?
Yes. You dial one code on your own phone so the calls you miss go to your receptionist, and another code turns it off.
Will callers know it's an AI?
It never pretends to be a person. Every call starts by saying it's recorded, and if a caller asks whether they're talking to a real person, it tells them straight away.
Will it quote prices?
No. It never quotes a price, a range or a ballpark.
Can it put a caller through to me?
Yes, if you give it a number.
Does it work with Jobber, ServiceTitan or Housecall Pro?
Not directly yet. You can export your leads as a CSV.
Are calls recorded?
Yes. Rules about recording calls vary by state, and you're responsible for the ones that apply where you work.
How long does setup take?
Book a demo and we'll give you a date.
Let it get the next one.
Set up for you, on your number, and you hear it before it takes a real call.