Builders: how to get photos and details on WhatsApp before you quote
You can’t quote a bathroom over the phone, but you can book the visit. On WhatsApp, an AI receptionist asks for photos and the job details (area, type of job, timing and budget), gives the ranges you set, explains that the final price comes from the survey and books it into your diary.
Sofia books the survey while you are on site
What you’ll see in the video
- No price over the phone. But the visit, booked
Where every renovation starts: the price comes from the visit.
- I’m Sofia
Sofia introduces herself as an AI assistant and answers while you are on site.
- Your ranges, honestly
She gives the ranges you set and explains that the final price comes from the visit.
- Photos, saved
She asks for photos on WhatsApp and they are saved with the enquiry.
- Survey booked
She asks for area, type of job, timing and budget, then books the survey in your diary.
- Try it with your website
You can try it with your own business website.
Why WhatsApp is the best place to start a quote
Someone planning a new kitchen or bathroom usually sends a WhatsApp with a couple of photos and one question: “roughly how much would this be?”. You are on another job with your hands full, and the reply waits until the evening.
With the photos and a few details you already know whether the job suits you and what to bring to the survey. An AI receptionist can ask for them straight away, politely, without promising a price nobody can give without seeing the job.
Photos saved with the enquiry
Sofia asks for photos of the room and they are saved with the conversation and everything that was said. You see them in the dashboard before you call.
The details that matter
Area, type of job, timing and budget, one question at a time. Add your own: rough size, house or flat, whether there is a freeholder or building management to involve.
Ranges, honestly
If you give it rough ranges, it gives them as written and explains that the final price comes from the survey. If not, it goes straight to offering the survey.
From the conversation to the survey
Once it has what you need, Sofia offers times from your diary and books the survey with the address, the photos and a summary. If the job is outside your area or not work you take on, she says so politely before booking anything.
Calls work the same way: if someone rings while you are on site, Zatio answers, asks them to send the photos on WhatsApp and leaves the enquiry ready for you.
How to set it up, step by step
Give it your website
Zatio reads your site and drafts your assistant: services, area and common questions. You review everything before it goes live. It takes about 10 minutes.
Set your jobs and your ranges
Which jobs you take on and which you don’t, your area, and whether it should give rough ranges or always offer a survey.
Choose the details and photos to ask for
By type of job: bathroom, kitchen, extension or full refurbishment. Sofia asks one at a time and saves everything with the conversation.
Connect your diary
Zatio offers times from Google Calendar, Outlook, Calendly, Cal.com or Microsoft Bookings and books the survey with the address and a summary.
Forward your calls
Keep your number: forward all calls, out-of-hours calls or only the ones you miss. During your hours your phone rings first, for 10 to 40 seconds, and Zatio answers if nobody does.
Checklist before you switch it on
- The jobs you take on and the ones you don’t
- The towns or postcodes you cover
- The photos you need for each type of job
- The minimum details: area, type of job, timing and budget
- Whether it gives rough ranges, and the line it uses to explain the price comes from the survey
- Your survey slots
- When it answers: only when you can’t pick up, out of hours or always
Keep reading
Zatio for renovation firms
Everything Zatio does for renovation firms and builders, with an example demo.
Plans and prices
From £69 a month excluding VAT, with 400 voice minutes plus WhatsApp and website chat included.
How to answer calls on the job as a heat pump or solar installer
How heat pump and solar installers answer calls while on a job.
Questions
Does it give quotes on WhatsApp?
It doesn’t give fixed quotes. It gives the ranges you set and explains that the final price comes from the survey, or goes straight to offering the survey if you prefer.
Where do I see the customer’s photos?
In the conversation, inside your Zatio dashboard, with the summary and the details Sofia asked for. You have them before you call or turn up to the survey.
Will customers know it’s an AI?
Yes. Sofia introduces herself as an AI assistant at the start of every conversation. When the customer needs to speak to you, she passes the case on with the full context.
Do I have to change my number?
No. You forward calls to your Zatio line: all of them, out of hours, or only when you don’t pick up. During your hours your phone rings first, for 10 to 40 seconds, and Zatio answers if nobody does.
How much does it cost?
Zatio is £69, £129 or £259 a month excluding VAT, with 400, 1,000 or 2,000 voice minutes plus WhatsApp and website chat included. Month to month, with no minimum term.
Can I try it first?
Yes. Free 14-day trial with no card, including 30 voice minutes and 100 chat conversations. Your phone number and WhatsApp go live when you add your card.
Book the next survey without leaving the job
- Keep your number
- No annual commitment
- 60-day guarantee
Rather talk to a person? Book a 20-minute demo.