What happens if I exceed the number of calls or texts within a plan?

You will be billed for the additional calls at a standard price of $0.50/call. For example, let's say you have subscribed to a Silver plan that includes 100 calls for each billing period. For a given billing period, if Tradie Pal agents answer 125 calls, the additional 25 calls will be billed at $0.50/call and a total of $12.50 will be added to your monthly bill. The same applies to SMS conversations.

Can I keep my mobile number as the main number and still use Tradie Pal agents to answer calls?

As part of your Tradie Pal subscription you are assigned a unique phone number. This is the number that your Tradie Pal receptionist will answer 24/7. However, if you mobile number is important and you want to keep that as your main business number, you can do that. You will have to setup conditional call forwarding on your mobile phone. Conditional call forwarding allows customers to call your existing mobile number and if you are not able to answer the call, it will forward the call to your Tradie Pal receptionist. To setup conditional call forwarding, you can follow the instructions listed here, or watch this how-to video. Our team will also be happy to help you setup call forwarding. Contact us at support@tradiepal.ai with your subscription details.

How do you measure the usage on SMS conversations?

For billing purposes, all SMS messages exchanged within a 30-minute window with the same recepient are grouped as a single SMS conversation.

Can I change my details once I have entered them during the onboarding process?

Yes, you can update your business information anytime by logging into your account and selecting "Update information" from the dashboard.

Can I change my plan at a later stage?

Yes, you can switch plans any time after your have signed up. Simply login to your account and select "Payments".

Do you support any languages other than English?

Tradie Pal agents are trained in 12 languages. If you wish to receive updates in a different language, you can set it up from the member dashboard. You need to select "Settings" from the left hand menu and change the language preference.

Can we access call transcripts for the calls that are answered by Tradie Pal?

Yes, you have access to complete call transcripts. Simply login to your Tradie Pal account and select call details to view the call transcripts for a specific period.

I don't like the phone number that's been assigned to me. Can I get a new number?

At this stage, it is not possible to change phone numbers that are assigned. We try to acquire numbers that are available at the time you sign-up.

The "2-Minute Rule" for Tradies: Why You’re Losing Jobs to Faster Competitors (And How to Fix It)

Seo Analyst
Feb 3
3 min read

Updated: Feb 12

You’re up a ladder, under a sink, or driving to the next site. Your phone rings. You ignore it because you’re working. You tell yourself, "I’ll call them back in an hour."

Here is the hard truth: By the time you call back, that job is already gone.

In 2026, the speed of your reply matters more than the price of your quote. This is the new reality of the trade industry, and it’s governed by something marketing experts call the "Speed to Lead."

If you feel like you’re quoting less work despite the phone ringing just as much, you might be falling victim to the 2-Minute Rule for Tradies. Here is why speed is killing your conversion rates and how to fix it without hiring expensive office staff.

The Brutal Stats: 85% of Customers Won’t Wait

Modern customers have zero patience. We live in an age of instant gratification Uber, Amazon, Netflix. When a homeowner has a leaky pipe or a blown fuse, they treat it the same way.

Recent data on small business (specifically home services) reveals some shocking numbers:

85% of callers who hit voicemail will hang up immediately. They will not leave a message.
78% of jobs go to the business that responds first.
If you wait just 30 minutes to call a lead back, your chance of contacting them drops by 100 times.

If you are letting calls go to voicemail, you aren't just "busy" you are actively handing money to your competitors who pick up the phone.

What is the "2-Minute Rule"?

The 2-Minute Rule is simple: To maximize your chance of winning a job, a new lead must be engaged within two minutes.

If you answer (or reply) instantly, you catch the customer while they are still in "problem-solving mode." If you wait, they move on to the next name on Google.

Think about it from the customer’s perspective:

They Google "Electrician near me."
They call the first number. No answer.
Do they wait for you? No.
They call the second number immediately.
Competitor B answers (or has an AI agent answer). They book the job.
You call back an hour later. They say, "Sorry mate, already got someone coming."

The "Napkin Math": How Much is Silence Costing You?

Let’s look at the financial damage of missing just 3 calls a week.

Average Job Profit: $300 (Conservative estimate)
Missed Calls per Week: 3
Weekly Loss: $900
Monthly Loss: $3,600
Annual Revenue Lost: $43,200

That is a new work van. That is a family holiday. That is a deposit on an investment property. Gone. Just because you couldn't pick up the phone while your hands were full.

The Old Solution vs. The New Solution

So, how do you follow the 2-Minute Rule for Tradies when you are actually working?

Option 1: The Receptionist (The Expensive Way)

You could hire a full-time receptionist. They are great, but they cost $50,000+ a year, need sick leave, and go home at 5 PM.

Pros: Human touch.
Cons: Expensive; they miss after-hours calls (when many emergencies happen).

Option 2: The Call Center (The "Generic" Way)

You divert calls to a call center. They take a message and email you.

Pros: Someone answers.
Cons: They usually can't book jobs, check your calendar, or answer technical questions. You still have to call the lead back laterbreaking the 2-Minute Rule.

Option 3: The AI Receptionist (The Smart Way)

This is where tools like TradiePal.ai change the game. An AI receptionist is software that lives on your phone line.

It answers instantly: 24/7, day or night.
It’s intelligent: It can check your calendar, book appointments directly, and answer questions like "Do you do emergency call-outs?" or "What are your rates?"
It filters spam: No more wasting time on telemarketers.
The Cost: A fraction of a human salary (usually less than one billable hour per month).

Stop Bleeding Revenue

The trade industry is competitive. Being the "best" tradie isn't enough anymore; you have to be the most available tradie.

If you are tired of playing phone tag and losing jobs to faster competitors, it’s time to automate.

Contact us to let AI handle the phone while you handle the tools.