Oregon AI If you run a crew, the phone rings at the worst times. An AI receptionist answers in your company's name, books the job and hands real emergencies to a person. Here is what that looks like, without the hype.
What it does on a call
- Answers on the first ring, day or night, and says it is an AI assistant.
- Answers questions from a knowledge sheet you approve: hours, service area, price ranges, policies.
- Books, reschedules or takes a message on your shared calendar or job software.
- Transfers emergencies and anyone who asks for a person, with a text summary so nobody repeats themselves.
- Texts back callers who hung up before it answered.
The rules it has to follow
- Say it is AI. Consumer-protection regulators treat a chatbot posing as human as deceptive; Oregon's DOJ lists it as an unlawful trade practice (guidance).
- Recording. Some states let one party record a call; others require everyone's consent. A short "this call may be recorded" at the start covers you wherever callers are.
- Inbound is the easy part. Outbound calls with an AI voice need prior written consent under federal law (FCC, 2024). Many states also limit sales calls and texts to daytime hours.
What it costs
| Option | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-serve apps | $29-349/mo | Software; you set it up |
| Human answering services | $250-2,100/mo | People, billed by minutes or calls |
| Done-for-you (us) | $950 setup + $299/mo | Setup, calendar and software connections, testing on your real calls, monthly tuning, and a person you can call |
How to tell if it pays
Use the missed-call calculator with your own numbers. If one extra job a month covers the fee, it is worth a look.