Running a trade business means wearing a dozen hats: taking calls, quoting jobs, scheduling, chasing payments, all while trying to finish the day’s work on site.

Many tradies once turned to human VAs to help with admin, but with smarter technology now available, AI receptionists and job managers are becoming the new go-to option. Here’s how the two compare, and why more tradies and service providers are switching to Sophiie AI.

Difference Between Hiring a Human VA and Using an AI Receptionist

Human Virtual Assistant

• Real-time personal touch – A person who can chat with clients, handle inquiries, and adapt tone to each caller.
• Flexible task range – Can handle diverse admin tasks such as follow-ups, email management, and document prep.
• Best for smaller-scale setups – Ideal if you have a manageable number of calls and need support for multiple admin duties.

AI Receptionist

• Instant response, 24/7 – Never misses a call or enquiry, even after hours or on weekends.
• Automated scheduling and reminders – Tools like Sophiie's job manager can automatically record, assign, and follow up on jobs.
• Built to scale – Sophiie can answer FAQs, book appointments, and gather names, emails, and service needs in real time — no downtime, no missed leads.

Cost of a Virtual Assistant vs an AI Receptionist

Human VA

Typical Average Cost:

$30–40/hour (Part-time: ~$2,400–3,200/month)

Inclusions:

Call handling, scheduling, and admin tasks

What to expect:

Additional cost for training, software, and leave benefits

AI Receptionist

Typical Average Cost:

$300–600/month

Inclusions:

24/7 call answering, job booking, and reminders

What to expect:

Fixed subscription with no added staffing overhead

Scalability and Availability of a Virtual Assistant vs an AI Receptionist

Human VA

Availability: Works during scheduled hours

Scalability: Add more staff as call volume increases

Consistency: Varies by person, training, and workload

AI Receptionist

Availability: Always online, 24/7, including weekends and holidays

Scalability: Handles unlimited calls and enquiries simultaneously

Consistency: Delivers the same fast response every time

As your business grows, scaling with humans means hiring more. With AI, scaling is as simple as upgrading your plan.

Choosing What Works Best for Your Trade Business

Choose a Human VA if:

• You’re running a small operation with only a few enquiries a week.
• You value personal rapport and want a person managing repeat customers.
• Your VA also supports marketing or admin-heavy tasks beyond call handling.

Example: A landscaper who handles a small roster of regular clients might prefer a human VA who can personally follow up on maintenance schedules, discuss custom design requests, and manage detailed quotes for ongoing garden projects.

Choose an AI Receptionist if:

• You’re often on-site or driving, making it hard to answer calls.
• You want no missed leads — day or night.
• You’re scaling fast and need an always-on system for booking jobs, managing schedules, and sending confirmations.

Example: A plumbing business receiving 50+ calls weekly can use Sophiie AI to instantly answer, log, and assign every job, even after hours — no extra hires needed.

Combine Both for Maximum Efficiency:

Many successful tradies are now blending both solutions:

• Sophiie AI handles front-line tasks — answering calls, booking jobs, sending follow-ups, and managing schedules
• Human VA focuses on nurturing client relationships using Sophiie’s CRM, recording important details from conversations or meetings to ensure nothing gets forgotten.

Example:An electrical company relies on Sophiie AI to screen new enquiries and schedule inspections, while a VA coordinates large project timelines and keeps detailed client notes in the CRM.

The Takeaway: Your New Definition of Efficiency

Switching to AI marks the future of job management for tradies — a powerful upgrade that transforms how your business runs. The result? Fewer missed calls, faster bookings, lower operational costs, and smoother daily operations. With Sophiie AI, you gain an intelligent administrative partner that lets you focus on the hands-on work that matters most.