What questions should an AI receptionist ask to qualify leads for my appliance repair company?

For an appliance repair company, the most important qualifying questions are: what appliance needs repair, what brand and model it is, what the problem is, and where the customer is located. These four pieces of information tell you within about 60 seconds whether the call is worth scheduling — whether the appliance is in your service area, whether your technicians work on that brand, and whether the repair is likely cost-effective compared to replacement.

Beyond those basics, a good AI receptionist should also ask about appliance age. A 15-year-old refrigerator with a compressor issue is a very different conversation than a two-year-old dishwasher that won't drain. Some shops don't touch appliances over a certain age, and knowing upfront saves everyone time. The AI should also ask whether the appliance is under any manufacturer or home warranty, because that changes the billing process entirely and may require a different intake path or documentation.

Urgency and scheduling availability matter too, especially for refrigerators and washers where customers can't wait three days. The AI should ask when the customer is available and flag high-priority situations — like a refrigerator full of food — so your dispatcher can triage accordingly. You don't need the AI to diagnose the problem, but it should gather enough detail that your technician walks in prepared, not guessing.

What you want to avoid is an AI that just takes a name and number and promises someone will call back. That's not qualification — that's a message pad. A properly configured AI receptionist captures appliance type, brand, symptom, location, and availability before the call ends, so every lead that hits your inbox is already pre-screened. For trades and home service businesses ready to stop missing calls, Rosie is purpose-built for field service operations and starts at $49/month. Learn more at heyrosie.com.