That's the entire pricing page. The rest of this is context — how it compares to what you'd otherwise pay, and why most AI receptionist companies make you book a demo before they'll give you a number.
What's Included
Everything in the $499 setup and $49/month flat:
- 24/7 live AI answering — every call, every day of the year
- Custom training on your services, pricing, and how you like calls handled
- Jobber integration — job details sync directly into your Jobber account
- Full call summaries texted to you after every call
- Automatic text-back for missed or dropped calls within 60 seconds
- Emergency escalation — urgent calls alert you by SMS immediately
- Month-to-month subscription — cancel anytime, no early termination fee
No tiered plans. No per-call overages. No "enterprise" version with a separate price list.
How It Compares
The three alternatives most service business owners consider before FrontDeskFred:
| Option | Typical monthly cost | Hours covered | Per-call charges | Contract | Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time receptionist | $2,900–$3,750+ | Business hours only | N/A | Employment | Weeks |
| Answering service (e.g. traditional) | $1–3/minute of talk time | 24/7 (scripted) | Yes | Monthly | Generic |
| Enterprise AI (e.g. Avoca) | Demo required | 24/7 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Multi-week setup |
| FrontDeskFred | $499 setup + $49/mo | 24/7 | None — flat rate | Month-to-month | Days |
A full-time receptionist is $2,900 to $3,750 per month in salary before you add employer taxes, benefits, and paid time off. They work business hours and call in sick. FrontDeskFred works 24/7 for $49/month.
A traditional answering service charges $1–$3 per minute of talk time with metered billing. During a busy season — spring for landscapers, storm season for roofers, flu season for dental offices — that meter runs hard. FrontDeskFred charges the same flat rate in July as in January.
Why We Publish Pricing Upfront
Most AI receptionist companies require you to book a demo before they'll tell you what it costs. This isn't an accident — it's an enterprise sales motion. Demo-gated pricing means a sales conversation before a number, a proposal after the conversation, and a multi-week decision process before you're live.
That model makes sense for a multi-location franchise or a company deploying across dozens of properties. It doesn't make sense for a one-truck plumber who wants to stop missing calls tonight.
FrontDeskFred is built for solo operators and small service businesses. You should know what it costs before you take a meeting.
Who This Is Built For
FrontDeskFred is built for local service businesses with one to ten employees — the kind of business where the owner is also the one doing the work, and the phone rings while they're in the middle of a job.
HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, roofers, cleaning companies, lawn care businesses, dental offices, med spas, law firms — businesses where a missed call is a missed job, and a missed job is real money. See all the industries FrontDeskFred serves.
If you're a multi-location operation with a dedicated operations team, you may need a different tool. If you're a solo or small operator who wants 24/7 call coverage at a price that makes sense, this is built for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free trial?
We don't currently offer a free trial. What we do offer is a free missed-call teardown before you commit — we call your business at different times, listen to what a potential client hears, and show you exactly what you're losing and what it's likely worth. You see the value before you spend anything.
What's included in the $499 setup fee?
The setup fee covers everything that happens before you go live: the onboarding call where we learn your business, writing and configuring your custom call scripts, testing calls to verify everything works correctly, and your first month of service. You're not paying for software access — you're paying for a done-for-you setup.
Are there per-call charges or caller caps?
No. FrontDeskFred charges a flat monthly rate regardless of how many calls you receive. There are no per-call charges, no per-minute billing, and no monthly caller caps. During your busiest week of the year, you pay the same $49/month as your slowest week.
What if I want to cancel?
You can cancel anytime. There's no contract and no early termination fee. If FrontDeskFred isn't working for your business, you cancel and we stop billing. We'd rather earn your continued business every month than lock you into a contract.
Does the $49/mo include Jobber sync?
Yes. Jobber integration is included in the standard $49/month subscription. Call details, client information, and job bookings sync into your Jobber account automatically — no additional cost, no separate integration fee.
How does pricing compare to hiring a part-time receptionist?
A part-time receptionist at 20 hours per week at $18/hour runs about $1,440/month — and they work business hours, don't cover weekends, and take vacation. FrontDeskFred is $49/month and answers calls at 2am on a Saturday. For most small service businesses, the comparison isn't close.