Question 1

What is Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Receptionist is an AI-powered service that answers missed calls for New Zealand trade businesses 24/7. When you can't pick up, it greets the caller in your business name, collects their name, number, and reason for calling, then sends you an SMS summary. The customer also receives a follow-up text confirming you'll be in touch.

Question 2

How much does the Digital Receptionist cost?

Accepted Answer

Corvid AI offers two plans. The Standard Plan is $99 NZD to set up, then $99 NZD per month for your first 3 months, rising to $179 NZD per month after that. The Pay As You Go plan has no setup fee — just $29 NZD per month plus $2.50 per conversation, with no cap. Both plans have no contract and you can cancel anytime.

Question 3

Do I need to change my phone number to use the Digital Receptionist?

Accepted Answer

No. Your phone number stays exactly the same. We set up a simple carrier divert-on-no-answer so when you can't pick up, calls are routed to your Digital Receptionist. Your customers dial your normal number as usual.

Question 4

Is there an AI receptionist service for tradies in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Corvid AI offers New Zealand's first AI-powered Digital Receptionist designed specifically for tradies and small businesses. It answers missed calls, collects customer details, and sends an SMS summary to the business owner. It is available at corvidai.io/receptionist.

Question 5

What trades does the Digital Receptionist work for?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Receptionist works for any trade business that receives calls — including electricians, plumbers, builders, painters, roofers, landscapers, HVAC technicians, hair stylists, barbers, and more.

Question 6

Who founded Corvid AI?

Accepted Answer

Corvid AI was founded by Ali Alsaffaf, based in Waikato, New Zealand. Ali is a servant leader who built Corvid AI to help New Zealand tradies and small business owners by automating the important-but-tedious parts of running a business — so they can focus on what they do best.

Question 7

What is Corvid AI's mission?

Accepted Answer

Corvid AI's mission is to build AI-powered tools for New Zealand businesses that augment people rather than replace them. The company is built on the belief that the tradespeople and small business owners of Aotearoa are the backbone of the country, and they deserve technology that works as hard as they do.

Question 8

Does Corvid AI replace workers with AI?

Accepted Answer

No. Corvid AI fundamentally believes that AI should augment people, not replace them. Every tool Corvid AI builds is designed to make the person behind the business more powerful and free — not to eliminate their role.

Question 9

What is the difference between an AI voice receptionist and Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist?

Accepted Answer

Most AI receptionist services use voice AI — they answer your calls with a robot voice that speaks to your customers. Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist is SMS-first: when a call is missed, it immediately texts the caller to collect their details. Many customers prefer texting over speaking to a voice robot, and the SMS conversation feels more natural and less intrusive. The result is higher response rates and better qualified leads delivered straight to the business owner by text.

Question 10

How is Corvid AI different from other AI receptionists in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Corvid AI is New Zealand's only SMS-first AI Digital Receptionist. Unlike voice AI services that answer calls with a robot voice, Corvid AI intercepts missed calls and immediately texts the caller — collecting their name, number, and reason for calling via a natural SMS conversation. The business owner receives a qualified lead summary by text within 60 seconds. There is no voice bot, no hold music, and no awkward AI voice — just a fast, friendly text that gets results.

Question 11

How quickly does Corvid AI respond to a missed call?

Accepted Answer

Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist texts the caller within 60 seconds of a missed call. The AI then holds a natural SMS conversation to collect their details and reason for calling, and sends the business owner a qualified lead summary — all automatically, while you get on with the job.

Question 12

Is Corvid AI available outside of business hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist works 24/7 — including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Missed calls are responded to automatically at any time of day or night, so you never lose a lead because someone rang after hours.

Question 13

How much does it cost compared to a human receptionist?

Accepted Answer

A full-time receptionist in New Zealand costs $45,000–$60,000 per year. Corvid AI's Digital Receptionist starts from $29 a month on the Pay As You Go plan, or $99 a month to start on the Standard Plan (rising to $179/month) — a fraction of the cost of a human receptionist. It works 24/7, never takes a sick day, and delivers qualified lead summaries directly to your phone.

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