01 · Caller
A request after closing
“I need an estimate for a repair. Are you open tomorrow?” Vera can explain the hours you supplied and ask for the information needed for follow-up.
After-hours answering service
Close for the day.
Keep the conversation open.
Vera answers business calls while you are away, handles routine questions from your business information, and captures messages for your return. See what the caller needed before you call back.
From $14.99 USD/month. One business number included. Plan allowances apply.
From the evening call to your next action
Illustrative example for a service business, not a customer transcript or a guaranteed response.
02 · Message
Context for the callback
The record can include the caller's name, callback number, requested work and location, with a transcript and summary. Instruct Vera to collect what matters to your business.
03 · Owner
You decide the next step
Review the request, check your availability, then call back or confirm the next action. Message capture does not mean a technician has been dispatched or an estimate approved.
Set expectations before the first call
- Add your actual business hours, services, service area and callback policy.
- Enable Vera on the line you want answered. Hours in the business profile do not automatically switch answering on and off.
- If keeping a carrier line, choose and test its forwarding behavior. Voice forwarding does not forward texts.
- Try a routine question, an out-of-area request and a request that needs your judgment. Review what was captured.
Choose the right level of coverage
Use voicemail when a short recorded message is enough. Use AI answering for routine questions and conversational intake. Choose a staffed service when your callers need human judgment or active dispatch while you are unavailable.
VeraDial is an AI receptionist and business line, not an on-call staffing team. Try your real workflow before changing the number or instructions customers already use.
Create an after-hours voicemail greetingAfter-hours answering questions
How does an after-hours answering service work?
Calls reach an answering provider instead of going unanswered. A human service uses staff; an AI service uses your business information to answer routine questions and collect messages. VeraDial answers on a business number while its receptionist is enabled, including when your phone is off. If you keep another carrier number, configure that carrier's voice forwarding to reach VeraDial.
Can I turn it on only at closing time?
VeraDial's receptionist is controlled per line and answers whenever it is enabled; there is no automatic opening-hours switch. Your business hours help Vera explain when you are open, but they do not toggle answering. Use the line control, or a forwarding schedule if your original phone provider supports one. Test your actual call route before relying on it.
Will Vera send a technician or handle emergencies?
No. Vera can collect a request, answer routine questions from the information you provide, connect a caller to you when available, or take a message. It is not an emergency dispatch service. Do not promise immediate attendance unless you have a separate human response process that can deliver it.
What does it cost?
Vera Lite is $14.99 USD per month with one number, 50 receptionist minutes and a separate 150 calling minutes. Vera Plus is $29.99 USD per month with unlimited receptionist answering under fair use and 300 calling minutes. Usage is shared across the account. Receptionist calls run up to five minutes or the remaining allowance, with up to 50 answered calls per day per line. Carrier forwarding charges and taxes can add to the total.
Can it book an appointment while I am closed?
Vera Plus can book 30-minute appointments into a connected Google Calendar when the calendar and booking hours are configured. An available calendar slot does not establish technician availability, parts inventory or travel capacity. Use message intake when the job needs your review before a visit can be confirmed.
Do I have to change my existing number?
No. You can keep it with your current carrier and forward voice calls to VeraDial. Your carrier bill continues and text messages remain with that carrier. Forwarding is not number porting; check your carrier's supported options and charges.