Outfitter Learn · Glossary · Glossary

What is an AI receptionist?

Definition

An AI receptionist is software that answers a business’s phone calls in a natural voice. It asks the caller what they need and passes the message to the owner. Unlike voicemail, the caller talks to something that answers back. Unlike a human answering service, it can pick up at any hour.

From Outfitter AI · Updated October 11, 2026

Who it’s for: Trade owners who can’t hold the phone while they’re on a ladder, under a sink or off for the night.

What happens when an AI receptionist answers

A homeowner calls while you’re up a ladder. The AI receptionist picks up instead of voicemail.
It asks what the job is, gets a name and number, and notes whether it’s urgent.
You get the message by text or email and call back when you can.

How Outfitter does it

Outfitter’s AI receptionist is called Front Desk. It answers the calls you can’t, on your business line or your cell. Keep your number and forward it only when you don’t answer, or use a new local number.

Front Desk learns your business from you on one phone call, like a new hire on day one. It can answer in a natural voice or in your own (voice cloning is in beta). Every message reaches you by text and email, in the caller’s words.

A busy month with 300 minutes of calls is $105.

What it costs

Outfitter’s Front Desk: 35¢ a minute from tokens. Setting her up, changing her and calling her for your messages are free.

What it won’t do

Front Desk says it’s an AI assistant at the start of every call.
It never quotes a price you didn’t give it, and never promises a start date or a same-day visit unless you told it to.
It pre-schedules a time for you to confirm. It never states a time as confirmed on your behalf.

An example

At 7:05 pm a homeowner calls about water in the basement after a storm. Instead of voicemail, Front Desk answers, takes the details, marks it urgent and texts the owner.

Common questions

Do callers know they're talking to an AI?

On Outfitter, yes. Front Desk says it's an AI assistant in the greeting of every call.

Does an AI receptionist book jobs?

Outfitter's Front Desk pre-schedules. It offers the caller a time and tells them you'll confirm, and it never confirms a time on your behalf.

Is an AI receptionist cheaper than an answering service?

Often. Front Desk is 35 cents a minute, so 300 minutes is $105. Most trade answering services run $400 to $800 a month for 60 to 90 minutes.

Do I need a new phone number?

No. Keep your number and forward it when you don't answer, or publish a new local number.

See it for your business

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Front DeskWhat is Front Desk, Outfitter’s AI receptionist?Front DeskWhat does Front Desk cost?Trust and controlDo callers know they’re talking to AI?GlossaryWhat is a pre-scheduled job?GuideAI receptionists for contractors, compared GuideAnswering services for contractors, compared GuideAfter-hours calls for contractors

Last updated October 11, 2026. Prices and features change; if something here is out of date, call or text (507) 628-0400 and we’ll fix it.