Original research, every quarter
The Missed-Call Index
Our own research on who actually answers the phone at US HVAC and plumbing shops, re-run every quarter.
TL;DR
We call 300 HVAC and plumbing shops across 10 US metros at three fixed times, and log who answers and how many rings it takes. The first edition publishes in late October 2026. After that, we re-run it every quarter.
No results are published yet.
How we run it
Four rules that keep it clean.
The same method for every shop, so the numbers mean something when you compare them.
- 01A human makes every call. Not the AI.
- 02One real question if someone answers.Something like “Are you open Saturdays?” Then we thank them.
- 03No fake job requests, ever. A dispatched truck costs the owner real money.
- 04The same three times for every shop. A weekday at 12:15pm, a weekday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 10am, local time.
The method, in one table
Three call windows. One log.
| Call window | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Weekday, 12:15pm | The lunch rush, when techs are on jobs and CSRs step away. |
| Weekday, 7:30pm | After hours, when homeowners get home and find the problem. |
| Saturday, 10am | Saturday morning, when most offices are closed. |
On every call we log: Who answered (a person, an answering service, voicemail or a full voicemail box) and how many rings it took.
Why we publish our own numbers
The famous stats are weak.
You have probably seen a headline number for how many calls go unanswered. Most of them trace back to small, old studies, or to no source at all, according to a fact-check by Majleads. None of them is a picture of HVAC and plumbing shops today.
So we measure it ourselves: locally, recently and with the method written down on this page.
First edition, late October 2026
Get it before anyone else.
Leave your email and we'll send the first edition when it publishes, with results by metro.
Questions
About the Index.
What is the Missed-Call Index?
Our own research on who actually answers the phone at US HVAC and plumbing shops. We call each shop at three fixed times, log what happens, and re-run the study every quarter.
Who is in the Index?
300 HVAC and plumbing shops across 10 US metros. Every shop gets the same three calls.
How often is it published?
The first edition publishes in late October 2026. After that we re-run it every quarter, so each edition reflects recent calls.
When are the calls made?
A weekday at 12:15pm, a weekday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 10am, in each shop's local time.
Is the AI making the calls?
No. A person makes every call. If someone answers, the caller asks one real question, like whether the shop is open Saturdays, and says thanks. We never fake a job request.
Can I see my own shop's result?
Yes. Request a free missed-call audit and we'll call your shop three times and send you the report.