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AI receptionist tools for locksmiths in the UK

Locksmiths take a high share of urgent calls: lockouts, snapped keys, and break-ins that need boarding and new locks tonight. An AI receptionist can answer while you're mid-job, sort lockouts from routine lock changes, and get the address and situation straight away.

Prices were re-checked on each provider's own page; the date is next to each one. Rules and figures from GOV.UK are linked where they're used.

Triage for lockouts

Ask whether anyone vulnerable is locked out or locked in (a child or someone unwell), the address, door type (uPVC, composite, wooden), lock type if known, and whether the caller can prove they live there. Mark emergencies urgent and text you at once.

Pricing questions

Callers often ring several locksmiths and ask for a price. Have the receptionist explain your callout charge and how the final price is set, if you publish one, rather than guessing. Clear pricing up front avoids complaints later.

Key holding and agents

If you hold keys for landlords or businesses, that's a security service: keeping or controlling access to keys needs an SIA key holding licence (GOV.UK). Set the receptionist up to handle key holder calls separately.

The options, with prices

Tool	Price and free plan	UK notes and source
Moneypenny AI Receptionist A UK answering company offering an AI receptionist with the option of real receptionists.	From £49 a month according to its AI Receptionist page; you get a quote for your needs. No call or minute allowance published. No free plan.	UK company. Source, checked 15 October 2026
Smith.ai AI Receptionist An AI receptionist that answers calls 24/7, qualifies leads and books appointments, with live human backup available.	Free: 25 calls a month, then $3.00 a call. Pro: $150 a month (75 calls, about $2.00 a call). Enterprise: from $500 a month. 25 calls a month with 24/7 answering, recordings, transcripts, summaries and calendar booking.	US company, priced in dollars; confirm UK number support. Source, checked 15 October 2026
Upfirst An AI receptionist that answers, summarises and transfers calls and books appointments.	Starter: $24.95 a month for 30 calls ($20 billed annually), then $1.50 a call. Premium: $59.95 for 90 calls ($48 annually), then $1 a call. Pro: $159.95 for 300 calls ($128 annually). Scale: $299 for 600 calls ($240 annually). 14-day free trial. No free plan; 14-day free trial with all features.	US company, priced in dollars. Source, checked 15 October 2026
Rosie An AI answering service that takes messages, sends booking links and, on higher plans, books and transfers calls.	Professional: $49 a month for 250 minutes. Scale: $149 a month for 1,000 minutes. Growth: $299 a month for 2,000 minutes. 7-day free trial. No free plan; 7-day free trial.	Confirm UK number support before signing up. Source, checked 15 October 2026
Goodcall An AI phone agent billed per unique customer rather than per minute.	Starter: $79 a month for 100 unique customers, then 79¢ each. Growth: $129 a month. Scale: $299 a month. Free demo agent; you pay when you connect a number. Build and test a demo agent free; you pay when you connect a number.	US company, priced in dollars. Source, checked 15 October 2026

What to check before you choose

Instant alerts for urgent calls, at any hour.
Script for proving residence before attending.
Per-call cost at night and weekends.
UK number and forwarding from your mobile.

A prompt to start with

Paste this into ChatGPT or Claude, or use it as your AI receptionist's instructions, filling in the brackets:

You answer the phone for [business name], a locksmith in [area]. Get the caller's name, address and postcode, number, and what's happened (locked out, lost keys, break-in, lock change). Ask the door and lock type if they know. If someone vulnerable is locked in or out, or it's a break-in, mark URGENT and text me now. Explain our callout charge is £[x] and the final price depends on the lock. Don't promise arrival times.

Free tools

Price a job with the quote and VAT calculator (20%, 5%, 0% and reverse charge), or work out your day rate (see how much to charge per hour). When you do pick up yourself, see how to answer the phone professionally. Before paying for a tool, check it pays for itself with the AI tool break-even calculator.

Questions

Can an AI receptionist quote prices?

Only what you give it. Give it your callout charge and how you price; don't let it estimate the final price.

What's the cheapest option?

Smith.ai lists a free plan with 25 calls a month, then $3.00 a call. Moneypenny's UK AI Receptionist page says from £49 a month. Powered Now's AI receptionist add-on is from £29 a month. All checked 15 October 2026.

Are these prices in pounds?

Not all. Where a provider only publishes US dollar prices we show dollars, so check the price in pounds at checkout.

Do you get paid if I sign up?

Some links may become affiliate links, and we'll label them when they do. It doesn't change what we list. See how we make money.

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