How Much Does a Missed Call Cost Your Business? (Australian Data + Calculator)
Every unanswered call costs you money. But how much exactly? Most business owners dramatically underestimate the answer.
It's not just the immediate lost sale. There's the customer who goes to a competitor and never comes back. The negative Google review from someone who couldn't reach you. The referral chain that never starts because you weren't available when it mattered.
In this article, we break down the real cost of missed calls for Australian businesses using local data and real examples. We also include a simple calculator so you can estimate what missed calls are costing YOUR business.
The Headline Number: What a Single Missed Call Costs
Average cost of a single missed call for an Australian service business:
$200 - $1,200
Based on average job values across trades, medical, and professional services
That range is wide because it depends on your industry. Here's the breakdown by trade:
| Industry | Avg Job Value | Avg Emergency Value | Conversion Rate | Cost Per Missed Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $350 | $800 | 35% | $123 - $280 |
| Electrician | $300 | $600 | 30% | $90 - $180 |
| HVAC | $500 | $1,200 | 40% | $200 - $480 |
| Locksmith | $250 | $400 | 60% | $150 - $240 |
| Builder/Carpenter | $2,000 | N/A | 20% | $400 |
| Roofer | $3,000 | $1,500 | 20% | $300 - $600 |
Cost per missed call = Average job value × Conversion rate. Emergency values are higher because emergency callers convert at higher rates (they need help NOW). Conversion rates and job values shown are illustrative estimates based on publicly available industry data and may vary by location, season, and business.
Quick Calculator: Your Annual Cost of Missed Calls
Do the Maths
Step 1: How many calls do you miss per week?
Think about calls while you're on the tools, driving, after hours, and weekends. Most tradies miss 5-15 calls per week.
Your number: ____ calls/week
Step 2: What's your average job value?
Use the table above as a guide, or calculate from your last 10 jobs.
Your number: $____ per job
Step 3: What percentage of calls become jobs?
Industry estimates suggest typically 20–40% for tradies, and higher for emergency services (50–60%). Your actual rate may vary.
Your number: ____% conversion
The Formula:
Missed calls/week × Average job value × Conversion rate × 52 weeks = Annual cost
Example: A plumber missing 8 calls/week with $350 average jobs and 35% conversion:
8 × $350 × 0.35 × 52 = $50,960/year
For a more detailed interactive version, check out our free missed calls calculator tool.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
The direct cost of a missed job is just the start. There are three hidden multipliers that make missed calls even more expensive:
1. Lifetime Customer Value (LCV)
A plumbing customer doesn't just need one job — they need annual servicing, emergency repairs, renovations. The average lifetime value of a plumbing customer is $3,000-$8,000. When you miss that first call, you don't just lose one job — you lose years of repeat business.
Impact: Multiply the cost by 5-10x over the customer's lifetime.
2. Lost Referrals
Happy customers refer 2-3 other customers on average. A customer you never win can't refer anyone. That's not just one lost customer — it's a broken chain of referrals that could have been worth $10,000+ over time.
Impact: Add 2-3x the customer value for lost referral potential.
3. Competitor Strengthening
Every call you miss goes to a competitor. They win the job, get the 5-star review, earn the referral. Your loss is literally their gain. Over time, this compounds — they get stronger while you wonder why business is slow.
Impact: Your competitor's growth is directly funded by your missed calls.
3 Ways to Stop Losing Money From Missed Calls
1. Hire a Full-Time Receptionist
Cost: $60,000-$76,000+/year (including super, leave, overheads)
Coverage: ~38 hours/week (roughly 22% of total weekly hours) — no after-hours coverage
Best for: Large businesses with 50+ calls/day who also need admin support. Full cost comparison →
2. Use an AI Answering Service ← Best Value
Cost: $99-$400/month (TransferToAI from $99; most Australian competitors $300+)
Coverage: 24/7/365 — every call answered, day and night
Best for: Solo tradies, small teams, and any business that misses after-hours calls. Compare the best AI services →
3. Traditional Answering Service
Cost: $200-$500+/month ($2,400-$6,000+/year)
Coverage: Usually after-hours only. Human operators take messages.
Best for: Businesses that specifically need human operators for sensitive calls. Full after-hours guide →
The ROI Is Obvious
Let's do the maths for a typical Australian tradie:
In this illustrative example, even if the AI only captures 50% of missed calls, the estimated ROI exceeds 1,000%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know how many calls I'm actually missing?
Check your phone's call log for missed calls over the past 2 weeks. Also check your voicemail box — and keep in mind that industry research suggests most callers won't leave a voicemail, so the actual number of missed enquiries is likely much higher than what you see in voicemail.
Is the cost really that high for solo tradies?
It can be significant. For example, a solo plumber missing 5 calls per week at an estimated $350 average job value and ~35% conversion could lose around $31,850/year. That's more than many tradies spend on their work vehicle. Read our case study about how one plumber recovered $52,000 in revenue.
What's the cheapest way to stop missing calls?
An AI answering service starting at ~$75-$99 AUD/month is the most cost-effective solution. It costs less per month than a single missed emergency job is worth. See our comparison of the best AI services for Australian businesses.
Stop the Revenue Leak
Every missed call is money walking out the door. Try TransferToAI free for 14 days and start capturing revenue from day one.
START FREE TRIALTransferToAI Team
Proudly built in Mackay, Queensland. Helping Aussie businesses stop losing money to missed calls.