The Real Cost of Keeping Every Call Answered
Every missed call is a missed opportunity — and when you add up lost customers, wasted time, and staff interruptions, it quickly becomes clear why professional call handling is worth every penny. But how do the costs stack up between a live receptionist and an AI voice agent?
Let’s break down the numbers and see where you can save — without compromising your customer experience.
1. The Cost of a Traditional Live Answering Service
Live answering services provide the warmth, empathy, and human touch that some industries still need — particularly in healthcare, legal, and professional services.
However, this reliability comes with overheads:
- Average UK live receptionist cost: £1.20 – £1.60 per minute
- Typical monthly usage: 200 – 600 minutes
- Estimated monthly spend: £240 – £960
Even at the lower end, these costs can climb quickly. While live agents remain ideal for nuanced or emotional calls, they’re not always the most efficient for repetitive or high-volume tasks.
👉 Explore our https://www.norango.ai/complete-capabilitiesLive Receptionist Services to see how Norango provides real human care 24/7.
2. The AI Receptionist Advantage
An AI receptionist like Norango’s Amy handles routine calls, appointment bookings, and enquiries automatically — all in natural, human-sounding conversation.
At just £0.35 per minute, you’re looking at a cost reduction of up to 75% compared to a live-only plan.
Key advantages:
- No breaks, no delays — always on duty 24/7/365
- Instant call transcriptions and CRM updates
- Consistent tone, accurate data capture, zero fatigue
- Seamless handoff to live agents when human empathy is needed
👉 See how AI and human receptionists work together on our Complete Capabilities page.
3. The Hybrid Model: The Best of Both Worlds
For most businesses, the most effective setup is a hybrid model — where AI handles 70–80% of routine calls, and trained live agents take over for complex or emotional ones.
This keeps call handling costs predictable while ensuring every customer feels valued.
Here’s what a typical month might look like:
| Type of Call | Volume | Cost/Min | Total Cost |
| Routine (AI) | 300 min | £0.35 | £105 |
| Complex (Live) | 150 min | £1.40 | £210 |
| Total | 450 min | — | £315/month |
That’s less than one-third the cost of a traditional live-only plan.
👉 Use our AI Cost Comparison Tool to estimate your own savings in seconds.
4. Why Businesses Are Switching to Norango.ai
With over 25 years in live call handling and a pioneering AI hybrid platform, Norango.ai delivers enterprise-grade technology at small-business prices.
Our intelligent agents speak 31+ languages, integrate with CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce, and can be trained to follow your exact workflows.
Plus, every plan includes:
- UK or US local number
- 24/7 answering coverage
- Call recordings and transcripts
- Dedicated account manager
👉 Compare plans on our Pricing Page or start risk-free with a 30-Day Free Trial.
5. Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Whether you choose fully human receptionists, a cost-saving AI solution, or a hybrid mix — the real value lies in never missing a call again.
Your customers get faster responses, your team stays focused, and your bottom line gets a healthy boost.
Next Step:
Try our Cost Calculator to see exactly how much you could save — and experience Norango.ai free for 30 days.