Tempesta Media launches hybrid AI-human call answering for contractors

Tempesta Media on June 9 launched Virtual Dispatcher, a 24/7 call-answering service for residential home services contractors that combines AI screening with U.S.-based human dispatchers. The company says the product is built to reduce missed calls, filter spam, and convert more inbound leads into booked jobs.

Why it matters: - Tempesta Media is targeting a costly problem for plumbers, HVAC contractors, electricians and other trades: missed calls that can turn into lost jobs. - The company says Virtual Dispatcher is designed to capture more inbound demand from paid search, SEO and other marketing spend. - The service is meant to give contractors 24/7 coverage, including weekends and holidays, without hiring a full-time receptionist.

What happened: - Tempesta Media announced Virtual Dispatcher on June 9, 2026. - The product is a hybrid AI-and-human call-answering solution for residential home services contractors. - The service answers on the first ring, screens callers with AI and routes qualified calls to live U.S.-based dispatchers. - Contractors can route calls to their own team during business hours and hand off after hours, on weekends and on holidays. - More information and demo requests are available at the company announcement.

The details: - Tempesta Media says internal data shows up to 60% of inbound contractor calls go unanswered. - The company says more than 90% of homeowners who cannot reach a contractor immediately hang up rather than leave a voicemail and call a competitor. - Virtual Dispatcher is built for the scheduling complexity of residential services, including crew assignments, service-area routing, travel time and job-type qualification. - The system filters spam before a human spends time on the call. - Live dispatchers take over when a caller is ready to book. - Virtual Dispatcher costs $399 a month, or $349 a month with an annual commitment.

Between the lines: - The launch positions Tempesta Media as a lead-to-booking provider, not just a marketing vendor. - The pricing and 24/7 coverage are aimed at replacing or augmenting in-house reception staff for smaller contractors. - The product reflects a broader trend in service businesses: using AI for triage and humans for complex scheduling. - CEO Michael Marchese said the company has worked with contractors for years and sees missed calls as a major source of lost revenue.

What’s next: - Virtual Dispatcher is available now. - Tempesta Media is inviting contractors to request demos and evaluate the service as a marketing-to-revenue add-on. - The company says its broader platform already serves more than 400 businesses across the U.S.

The bottom line: - Tempesta Media is betting that the fastest way to grow contractor revenue is to stop letting inbound calls go to voicemail.