Question 1

How much does a human receptionist actually cost per year?

Accepted Answer

The total cost of a human receptionist earning $35,000/year is $45,000–$65,000/year after: employer payroll taxes (7.65%), health insurance ($6K–$15K/year), workers' compensation, paid time off (80–120 hours), retirement contributions, equipment and desk space ($2K–$4K/year), and software licenses ($500–$1,500/year). Training and onboarding add $3K–$5K per new hire, and with 30–40% annual turnover, you're replacing them frequently.

Question 2

How much does an AI receptionist cost per month?

Accepted Answer

AI receptionist costs range from $300–$800/month depending on call volume and complexity. A small business handling 200 calls/week typically pays $300–$500/month. Larger businesses with 500+ calls/week pay $500–$800/month. All plans include 24/7 coverage, unlimited concurrent calls, call recording, transcripts, and analytics.

Question 3

What about after-hours answering services?

Accepted Answer

Traditional after-hours answering services cost $1–$2/minute or $200–$600/month for limited minutes. They can only take messages—they can't book appointments, qualify leads, or answer complex questions. AI receptionist provides both business-hours and after-hours coverage in one service, with full scheduling and lead qualification capabilities 24/7.

Question 4

Can AI handle complex calls like a human receptionist?

Accepted Answer

AI handles 80–90% of incoming calls without human intervention: appointment scheduling, FAQ responses, call routing, lead qualification, and message taking. Complex or sensitive calls transfer seamlessly to your team with full conversation context. You get the best of both worlds.

Question 5

What about existing customers who know my receptionist?

Accepted Answer

AI receptionist handles repeat callers professionally and can recognize returning customers by phone number. For businesses where personal relationships matter, AI can transfer VIP clients directly to their preferred team member. Regular callers get fast, efficient service without waiting on hold.

Question 6

How quickly can an AI receptionist be set up?

Accepted Answer

Most AI receptionists are live within 1–2 weeks. Setup includes: configuring call flows, training on your business FAQs, connecting to your calendar and CRM, and testing with sample calls. No construction, no equipment installation, no HR paperwork.

Question 7

What if I still want a human during business hours?

Accepted Answer

Many businesses use a hybrid approach: AI handles overflow calls, after-hours calls, and routine inquiries, while your human receptionist focuses on in-person visitors and complex cases. This reduces costs while maintaining the human touch where it matters most.

Question 8

Is there a cost difference between inbound and outbound calls?

Accepted Answer

With Prestyj, no—inbound and outbound calls are billed at the same per-minute rate. Some providers charge more for outbound calls or transfer calls. Always ask about the full rate schedule before committing.

Question 9

My receptionist does more than answer phones—she manages the office.

Accepted Answer

Keep her for office management. Let AI handle the phones. Most receptionists spend 60–70% of their time on calls. Freeing that time lets them focus on higher-value work: in-person clients, project coordination, and team support. You keep the person, gain 25+ hours/week of productivity, and add 24/7 phone coverage.

Question 10

I can't replace a person with a robot—callers will hate it.

Accepted Answer

Modern AI voice agents sound natural and conversational. In blind tests, 70% of callers can't tell they're speaking with AI. And callers prefer instant answers over voicemail, hold music, or calling back during business hours. Your callers get better service, not worse.

Question 11

The ROI math assumes I miss a lot of calls. I don't.

Accepted Answer

Even the best-staffed offices miss 15–24% of calls during peak hours. After hours, it's 100%. If you receive 50 calls/day, you're missing 10–12 during the day and all 0 after 6pm. Each missed call is a potential customer who calls your competitor next.

Question 12

What about the cost to switch and set up?

Accepted Answer

Prestyj charges no setup fees. Configuration takes 1–2 weeks and is included. Your only cost is the monthly service—no migration fees, no hardware to buy, no contracts to break with your current provider.

Your Receptionist Costs More
Than You Think.

The Hidden Costs of Human Reception

Salary is only 60% of the true cost

24% of calls missed during business hours alone

Turnover: hire, train, lose, repeat

Calculate Your Savings

AI Receptionist: Full Coverage at a Fraction of the Cost

24/7/365 Coverage

Unlimited Concurrent Calls

60–80% Cost Savings

Consistent Quality, Every Call

Built-In Analytics

Instant Appointment Booking

Cost Objections We Hear Most

See Exactly What You'd Save with AI Receptionist

Your Receptionist Costs MoreThan You Think.