Guide · UK trades
Voicemail greeting for tradesman: examples you can copy
A good greeting is short, tells the caller what to do next, and sounds like you. Here are examples you can copy for plumbers, electricians, builders and out-of-hours calls.
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Your voicemail is the first thing a caller hears when you're on a job. Some will leave a message. Some will ring the next number. A clear voicemail greeting for tradesman calls helps the first group, and costs you nothing.
Here's what a good one does, with examples to read out loud.
What a good greeting does
- Says who they've reached. Your name or your business name, so they know it's the right number.
- Tells them you're on a job. Short and honest. No long excuses.
- Says what to leave. Name, number, postcode and what the job is.
- Says when you'll ring back. Only if you'll keep to it.
- Stays under 20 seconds. People hang up on long ones.
Say it in your normal voice, slowly. Smile as you say it. It comes through.
What to leave out
- "Your call is important to us." It reads as a script.
- A long list of services. Save that for your website.
- Promises you can't keep. "Back in five minutes" when you won't be.
- Prices. They change, and a recording can't explain them.
- Your home address. Keep it off a greeting anyone can hear.
Examples
Swap in your own name and details.
A general trades greeting
"Hi, you've reached Sam Taylor Building. I'm on a job and can't take your call. Please leave your name, number, postcode and what you need doing, and I'll ring you back as soon as I'm off the tools. Thanks."
Plumber
"Hello, this is Priya at Patel Plumbing. I'm with a customer right now. Leave your name, number, postcode and what's wrong, and I'll call you back today. If it's a gas smell, hang up and ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999."
Check the number and wording with the Gas Safe Register before you record it.
Electrician
"You've reached Jamie Jones Electrical. I can't pick up as I'm working. Please leave your name, number, postcode and a short description of the job. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If anyone is in danger, ring 999."
Heating engineer
"Hi, it's Omar at Omar Heating. I'm on a job at the moment. Leave your name, number and postcode, and tell me what the boiler is doing, and I'll ring you back. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 0800 111 999."
Builder
"Hello, you've reached Davies Building. I'm on site and can't answer. Please leave your name, number, postcode, and whether it's a quote or a repair. I'll ring you back this evening."
Landscaper or gardener
"Hi, this is Ellie at Green Lane Gardens. I'm out on a job. Leave your name, number and postcode and what you'd like done. I'll ring you back when I'm off site."
Out of hours
If you don't answer in the evening or at weekends, say so. It saves callers waiting.
"Hello, you've reached Sam Taylor Building. We're closed until Monday at 8. Leave your name, number and postcode, and I'll ring you first thing. For an emergency, ring a local emergency service."
If you do take emergency call-outs, say how to reach you: "For an emergency call-out, text me on this number and I'll ring you back."
Gas and electrical callers
Some callers can't wait for a call-back. If you do gas, heating or electrical work, think about adding one line pointing them to the right emergency number. For gas, that's the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If anyone is in danger, it's 999.
This is general information, not advice. For rules on gas work, see the Gas Safe Register.
Record it well
- Find a quiet spot. Not the van with the engine running.
- Write it down first. Then read it, don't wing it.
- Speak a bit slower than normal. And smile.
- Play it back. Ring your own number from another phone.
- Update it when things change. Holidays, new number, new hours.
Why a greeting isn't enough
Even a good greeting depends on the caller leaving a message. Many won't. They ring the next tradesperson instead.
That's why diverting missed calls somewhere that does more is worth considering. A TradiesMate number texts the caller back, takes a voicemail, or answers with an AI receptionist. The details land in your Inbox, ready to quote. The missed calls page shows how it works.
If you stay with voicemail, the examples above will help. Our guide on what to do after a missed call covers the next step.
Questions
How long should a voicemail greeting be?
Aim for under 20 seconds. Say who you are, that you're busy, and what to leave.
Should I say I'll ring back in a set time?
Only if you'll do it. "Today" or "this evening" is safer than "in ten minutes".
How do I change my voicemail greeting?
It depends on your network and phone. Look in your phone's voicemail settings, or ask your network. Don't guess the codes: check your network's help pages.
Should I put my prices in the message?
No. Ask for the job details and price it when you call back.
Last checked 2 November 2026.
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