Tradespeople on WhatsApp: book the job while you are on a ladder
Plumbers, electricians and builders get most enquiries on WhatsApp, usually while their hands are full. The job goes to whoever replies first. An AI agent can reply on your own number, ask the right questions, collect photos and offer a visit slot, and leave the quote to you.
What customers ask on WhatsApp
- My boiler is making a banging noise, can you come and look?
- How much to fit a new socket in the kitchen?
- Do you cover my postcode?
- Can you do a quote for a bathroom refit?
- Is there a call-out charge?
An example conversation
This illustration shows an enquiry to a plumber during a job. Names and details are examples.
| Who | Message |
|---|---|
| Chris | Hi, my kitchen tap is leaking under the sink. Can you come this week? |
| AI agent | Sorry to hear that. Could you send a photo of the pipes under the sink, and your postcode? |
| Chris | [photo] M14 5RT |
| AI agent | Thanks, that is in our area. Thursday 8am to 10am or Friday 1pm to 3pm are free. The call-out is £60, including the first half hour. Which slot suits you? |
| Chris | Thursday |
| AI agent | Booked for Thursday between 8 and 10. Dave will text when he is on his way. |
What the agent answers
- Which areas you cover, from your postcode list.
- Call-out charges, day rates and your standard prices.
- Collecting photos, the address and how urgent it is.
- Offering visit slots from your calendar.
What it always hands to you
- Quotes for anything beyond your standard prices.
- Emergencies such as gas smells or sparking sockets: it tells the customer what to do first and calls you straight away.
- Payment disputes and complaints.
Set the emergency rule first
Write down, before anything else, what counts as an emergency and what the agent must say. For a gas smell, that means telling the customer to call the gas emergency line and leave the property, then alerting you. An agent should never talk someone through dangerous work.
The WhatsApp limits that matter here
| Limit | Spaces limit per WhatsApp account |
|---|---|
| Messages | Up to 200 a day |
| Gap between messages | At least 15 seconds |
| New conversations you start | 5 an hour, 10 a day |
Replies to people who message you are not held back by the warm-up, so customers get answers from the first day.
Set it up in an afternoon
- Write a note: postcodes, call-out and standard prices, what counts as an emergency.
- Connect your WhatsApp number by scanning the QR code.
- Connect your AI agent and share your calendar.
- Tell it to collect photos and the address before offering a slot.
- Read its chats each evening for the first week.
Who you message
Pricing
FAQ
Can it give quotes?
Only your fixed prices. For anything else it collects photos and details so you can quote quickly.
Will customers know it is an AI?
That is your choice. Many trades say so in the first reply. Read our article on telling customers they are talking to an AI.
Can I keep using WhatsApp on my phone?
Yes. Your number stays yours, and you can step into any chat at any time.