SpeedToLead Blog
Guides for contractors who hate missed calls.
Real numbers, honest comparisons, and playbooks for winning more jobs — written for 1–5 truck shops.
October 11, 2026
How much does a missed call really cost a contractor?
The average contracting business loses $45,000–$120,000 a year to missed calls. Here's the math by trade — and why voicemail is the most expensive employee you have.
Read article →October 11, 2026
Answering service vs. AI receptionist: what contractors should know
Answering services take messages. AI receptionists book jobs. A head-to-head comparison on cost, speed, and what actually happens to your after-hours calls.
Read article →October 11, 2026
What is speed to lead?
Speed to lead is the time between a lead arriving and your first response. For contractors, the difference between 5 minutes and 30 is the difference between a booked job and a competitor's job.
Read article →October 11, 2026
SpeedToLead vs Allo: Which Should Contractors Pick?
Allo charges $32/mo per seat for a general AI receptionist. SpeedToLead charges per qualified lead, trades only. An honest side-by-side for contractors.
Read article →October 11, 2026
SpeedToLead vs Ruby Receptionists: an honest breakdown for contractors
Ruby: $250/mo for 50 min of human answering. SpeedToLead: per qualified lead ($9–45), first 20 free. An honest breakdown for 1-5 truck shops.
Read article →October 11, 2026
The trade press just blessed voice AI for HVAC. Here's the part it didn't price.
ACHR News says voice AI has gone mainstream for HVAC companies. What the trade-press piece gets right, what it never prices, and a buyer's checklist.
Read article →October 11, 2026
The best AI receptionists for HVAC contractors in 2026
Comparing AI receptionists for HVAC shops: who books real jobs, who just takes messages, and what each model costs. Trade-press criteria, honest picks.
Read article →October 11, 2026
SpeedToLead vs 800.com: two ways to pay for answered calls
800.com's new AI agents start at $49/mo flat, with a trial that needs a credit card. SpeedToLead charges per qualified lead, first 20 free. Compare.
Read article →October 11, 2026
SpeedToLead vs Housecall Pro's CSR AI: the add-on or the specialist?
Housecall Pro bundles an AI receptionist (CSR AI) into its field-service software. SpeedToLead is a standalone specialist, priced per lead. Which fits?
Read article →October 11, 2026
SpeedToLead vs Voxa: flat SaaS vs pay-per-lead
Voxa charges $299–$1,000/mo flat by phone line for any small business. SpeedToLead charges per qualified lead for contractors only, first 20 free.
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