Good leads, bad timing.
People call about a kitchen or a basement when they're ready to talk, which is usually when you're on someone else's site with a saw running. AlloPlace answers in English or French, finds out whether the project fits, and books the consultation.
The calls you get
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions, a back deck. Small jobs you don't take, like hanging one door. "Roughly how much is a bathroom?" from people still deciding. Current clients asking what's happening this week. Suppliers confirming a delivery, subcontractors checking the schedule, and a steady trickle of people selling you things.
Only some of those need you, and not all of them right now.
What it does for you
Screens projects before you drive out. It asks your questions: what kind of project, the timeline, a rough budget, the address. If a job is below your minimum, it says so kindly.
Books consultations. It offers times from your Google Calendar. If you'd rather look first, turn on booking requests and approve each one.
Gets current clients to the right person. Someone with an active project gets transferred to you or the project manager, or leaves a message if nobody picks up.
Keeps suppliers and subs off your phone. Write a rule and their calls become messages for the office.
Doesn't price what can't be priced. "How much for a bathroom?" gets the answer you wrote, whether that's a starting range or "we quote after a visit."
A typical call
It's a Sunday evening in Sainte-Julie. A couple wants their basement finished before winter. They ask what it'll cost. AlloPlace gives the answer you wrote and explains that you quote after a visit. It asks about timeline and budget, and the project fits your rules, so it creates a booking request for Wednesday evening. You look it over Monday morning and approve it.
TBD: replace with a real call once a customer agrees.
Rules you might write
- "We don't take jobs under our minimum. Say so politely and suggest a handyman might be a better fit."
- "Ask every new caller for the type of project, the timeline and a rough budget before booking."
- "If a current client calls, transfer to the project manager. If nobody answers, take a message."
- "Suppliers and subcontractors: take a message for the office. Don't transfer."
Good to know
- Calendar or software: books into Google Calendar only. There's no connection to construction project or CRM software. Webhooks and the API can pass call details on if you have someone to set that up.
- Sales calls: spam and robocalls are filtered and not billed. A real person selling something still gets through, so write a rule for them.
- Quotes and paperwork: it doesn't write estimates or contracts. It books the visit where you do that.
What it costs
Starter is US$30 a month for 150 minutes, with booking and transfers included. Full pricing