This is a practical breakdown for builders, consultants, and operators thinking about AI phone automation for small businesses. The goal is not to hype “AI receptionists,” but to show what actually drives cost: call volume, integrations, booking workflows, follow-up, and missed-call recovery. Small-business owners are not asking whether AI can answer the phone anymore. They are asking what an AI receptionist costs, what is included, and whether it pays for itself faster than hiring another front-desk person. The honest answer is that AI receptionist cost depends on what you expect the system to do. A basic voice bot that takes messages is one category. A real AI employee that answers calls, texts missed callers, books appointments, updates your CRM, and follows up with leads is a different investment. This guide breaks down AI receptionist pricing in practical terms so you can compare monthly cost against recovered calls, booked jobs, after-hours leads, and staff time saved.…