Keystone AI vs hiring a receptionist
For most UK trade firms turning over £500k to £5m, the choice is not "AI or receptionist" — it is "AI or no cover at all". Here is the honest side-by-side.
| Factor | Keystone AI | Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | From £249/mo | £2,000–£2,800/mo (incl. NI, pension) |
| Cover hours | 24/7, 365 days | Mon–Fri, 9–5 |
| Speed of response | Inside 60 seconds | Depends on workload |
| Sick days / holiday | Never off | 28 days + sickness |
| Quote follow-up | Automated day 3, 7, 14 | Manual, often dropped |
| Google review requests | Auto-fired on job complete | Rarely happens |
| CRM data entry | Logged automatically | Manual typing |
| Handles complex objections in person | Escalates to you | Yes |
| Makes the tea | No | Yes |
When a receptionist still wins
A human receptionist is the better answer if you have constant face-to-face visitors at a trade counter, complex multi-party site coordination that needs a human in the loop all day, or you simply prefer the cultural fit of a person on the front desk. None of those describe most UK building, plumbing, electrical or roofing firms under £5m.
Why most trades pick Keystone
The hidden cost of a receptionist is not the salary — it is the gap. Calls come in at 7pm on a Tuesday after a leaking-roof emergency, or 9am on a Saturday after a storm. A 9-to-5 hire misses every one of those. Keystone answers all of them in 60 seconds, books the survey, and follows up the quote on day 3, 7 and 14 without anyone touching the keyboard.
Common questions
See it before you decide
Watch a six-minute demo, then check whether your postcode is still open.