Plumbing issues almost never happen at a convenient time. Burst pipes, overflowing toilets, and sewer backups just always seem to occur on weekends, holidays, or in the middle of the night. To that end, having a live 24/7 answering service to dispatch plumbers for such emergencies can significantly improve response times, minimize property damage, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Faster Response Times
Just one ruptured pipe can dump hundreds of gallons of water into a home in less than an hour. This can cause massive destruction to flooring, walls, and furniture if it is not shut off quickly. The experts over at Apello explain that with a plumbing answering service taking calls after hours, customers can connect immediately with a live representative to get the ball rolling on rapid plumber dispatch.
More Targeted Troubleshooting
Answering service agents that work specifically with plumbing companies build a familiarity with common issues and solutions. As specialists in managing these types of emergency calls as opposed to generalists in a big call center, they can better understand repair needs from vague customer descriptions and call details to help guide next actions.
Enhanced Communication
Perhaps more than any other service emergency, plumbing issues can leave customers feeling extremely distressed over potential flooding that could destroy their property. Calling a business after hours and getting a voicemail response increases panic exponentially. Nevertheless, talking immediately with a friendly, patient answering agent helps to diffuse the stress.
Beyond being a calming voice, the service also manages ongoing communication throughout the process. They contact the customer with the repairperson, connect them for any additional troubleshooting tips en route, and follow up after the job. Maintaining open dialogue shows the care and accountability customers appreciate, especially in urgent situations.
Decreased Liability
When backed-up sewers, burst pipes, or catastrophic leaks do happen after hours, a delay in response time could very well mean increased property damage. Such damage might even spark a lawsuit against a plumber for failing to act swiftly to resolve issues or not providing adequate emergency coverage.
Using a live answering service to immediately dispatch emergency plumbers after gathering key service details reduces any delays. This helps mitigate risk while protecting plumbers against allegations of negligence.
Expanded Service Area
Local plumbers that work independently or in small companies often struggle to scale emergency services effectively across larger service regions. Nevertheless, partnering with an answering provider allows for seamless 24/7 regional coverage.
Improved First Impressions
Reaching a voicemail greeting when stressed over a plumbing emergency feels extremely frustrating for customers. Nonetheless, having a friendly professional immediately answer to calmly handle dispatch details offers tremendous relief.
Even if plumbers repair the issue perfectly later, negative first impressions from lacking adequate after-hours response create enduring dissatisfaction. This bad taste often spurs customers to post negative online reviews that might hamper future business. Providing quality live support from the get-go fosters great first impressions.
Increased Revenue
Because plumbing emergencies happen around the clock every day, lacking adequate after-hours response means leaving money on the table. Customers facing long wait times or unanswered weekend calls will simply call competitors who appear more reliable instead.
Studies show over 90% of dissatisfied customers will not return after just one bad experience. Ensuring competent after-hours care is available before losing accounts to rivals results in huge revenue returns over time as enhanced responsiveness wins market share.
Conclusion
Hiring a live answering service specializing in skilled plumbing emergency call management provides plumbers invaluable benefits compared to managing overnight calls independently. Their infrastructure supporting responsive 24/7 access positions plumbers to earn more loyalty and business over competitors who are still relying on voicemail and who lack the expertise to manage emergency calls effectively after business hours.