--- title: "Virtual Receptionist & Answering Service | AI-Voice-Agent.ca" description: "A virtual receptionist and answering service run by AI: answers calls 24/7, books jobs into your calendar and texts you every message. Compare with a call centre." url: https://ai-voice-agent.ca/virtual-receptionist/ last_updated: 2026-11-05 --- # Virtual receptionist and answering service, powered by AI A classic answering service puts a call centre agent on your line who takes a message. Our virtual receptionist answers just as fast, but it knows your business, books the job and texts you the details. ## AI virtual receptionist compared with a classic answering service - Every call at once: A call centre agent takes one call at a time. The AI receptionist answers every caller at the same moment, so nobody waits on hold during a rush. - Knows your business: It answers with your services, service area, hours and the price ranges you approve, instead of a general script read by someone new to your company. - Books, not only takes messages: Most answering services write down a message and you call back. The agent books the visit into your calendar while the caller is still on the line. - Same answer every time: No shift changes and no bad days. Every caller hears the script you approved, including at 3 a.m. on a holiday. - Your emergency rules: Urgent calls are transferred to your cell or the on-call person, by rules we write with you. - A person when needed: If a caller asks for a person, the agent can transfer the call or promise a callback, whichever you choose. ## When a human answering service is still the better choice If most of your calls need judgement a script cannot cover, or your callers mostly speak a language other than English, a human service may suit you better. Tell us about your calls and we will say honestly which fits. The [quiz](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/quiz/) is a quick first check. ## We set it up at your business and stay until it works You do not configure anything. We do the setup work with you and keep adjusting until you are happy with how it handles calls. - We come to you: In Toronto and the GTA we visit your office, shop or yard. Elsewhere in Canada we do the same session over a video call. We learn your services, prices, service area, hours and how you like jobs booked. - We write the call script: What to say, which questions to ask, what counts as an emergency, who gets the transfer and what the agent must never promise. You read it and approve it. - We test it together: You and your team call the agent and try to trip it up. We fix every answer you do not like before a single customer hears it. - You go live with your number: You keep your phone number. Calls you do not answer, or all calls after hours, forward to the agent. - We tune it for the first weeks: We review real calls, tighten answers and add the questions customers actually ask, until the results are where you want them. ## Simple pricing - Monthly plan: from $150 per month (CAD, before tax) - One-time setup: from $299, free for the first 10 businesses - Final price depends on call volume and integrations and is confirmed in writing. ## Virtual receptionist questions **What is the difference between a virtual receptionist and an answering service?** An answering service usually takes a message for you. A virtual receptionist does more of the front-desk work: answers questions, books appointments and routes urgent calls. Our AI agent does all of that. **How is the price different from a call centre?** Many answering services charge per minute or per call. Ours is a monthly plan from $150 plus setup from $299. The plan depends on your call volume, and we agree the price with you in writing before we start. **Will callers know they are talking to an AI?** The voice is natural and most callers simply get their problem solved. We still recommend the agent says it is an automated assistant if asked, and it can hand the call to a person whenever the caller wants one. **Do I need a new phone number?** No. You keep your number. We forward the calls you choose to the agent: missed calls, after-hours calls or all calls. **Will it replace my office staff?** Most owners use it for the calls nobody can take: after hours, weekends, lunch, and the moments when everyone is on a job. Your staff can keep answering during the day. ## Related - [AI receptionist that answers every call for your business](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/ai-receptionist/) - [After-hours answering service that books the job while you sleep](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/after-hours-answering-service/) - [AI voice agent pricing](https://ai-voice-agent.ca/pricing/) --- Claim a free setup: https://ai-voice-agent.ca/get-started/ ยท Email: info@ai-voice-agent.ca