A "car trapped in the garage" call at 8 PM is a $500 job. If it goes to voicemail, it's a lost customer for life. This guide breaks down every option—from live agents to AI dispatch—to help you choose the right service to capture every lead and grow your business.
In the garage door repair business, speed is everything. A customer with a broken spring or a door off its tracks isn't "shopping around"—they're calling down a list on Google until a live person answers the phone. Your ability to answer and dispatch 24/7 is the single biggest factor in capturing high-value emergency jobs. Missed calls aren't just missed opportunities; they're revenue you're handing directly to your competitors. Below, we review the three primary solutions available to garage door companies today.
Each solution offers different benefits in cost, capability, and customer experience. Explore our detailed guides to find the perfect fit for your business goals.
A 24/7 call center with human agents who take messages on your behalf. They provide a human touch but often lack industry knowledge and can't integrate with your scheduling software.
A simple "Press 1 for sales, Press 2 for service" phone menu. It's the cheapest option but can be frustrating for customers in an emergency, leading to high call abandonment.
A modern solution that combines 24/7 AI-powered call answering with full operational automation. It can triage emergencies, schedule estimates, dispatch crews, and more.
| Feature | Basic IVR | Live Answering | AI Answering & Dispatch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Call Answering | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Emergency Triage | ❌ | ⚠️ (Basic) | ✔️ |
| Appointment Scheduling | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| CRM/Dispatch Software Integration | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Automated Customer Follow-ups | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Lead Qualification | ❌ | ⚠️ (Limited) | ✔️ |
| Cost Structure | Lowest (Fixed) | Highest (Per-Minute) | Moderate (Fixed SaaS) |
⚠️ = Limited capability, often requires specific instructions and manual workarounds.
Stop losing high-value emergency jobs and let automation handle the busywork. Explore our full AI Answering & Dispatch solution built specifically for garage door companies.