Cleaning Services | Clara — AI Receptionist

Does this sound familiar?

When you're at a property, you can't always answer the phone. Most cleaning enquiries need a quick response. A new regular, an end-of-tenancy, an Airbnb turnaround. When someone calls and nobody picks up, they move on to the next cleaner. Clara makes sure every call is answered, every detail is captured, and every lead reaches you — even when you're mid-clean.

Cleaning businesses run on relationships and repeat bookings — but every new client relationship starts with a phone call. And most cleaning businesses can't answer that call, because the person who'd answer it is cleaning.

For a sole trader running their own rounds, or a small operation with two or three cleaners, the office doesn't exist. The manager is also the cleaner. Calls come in at 9am when you're already in someone's kitchen, at lunchtime when you're moving between jobs, and in the evening when you've finally stopped. The caller who wanted to enquire about a regular weekly clean has already found someone else by the time you listen to their message.

Research from BrightLocal found that 65% of people prefer to contact a local service business by phone — not web form, not email. Which means the primary channel your potential customers want to use is the one you're least able to handle when you're doing the job they want to hire you for. For cleaning businesses where new client acquisition is the main growth lever, every missed call is a missed contract worth months of recurring revenue.

End-of-tenancy cleans

New regular bookings

Airbnb turnarounds

One-off deep cleans

Commercial contracts

Schedule changes

Quote requests

Same-day requests

When customers call, Clara can...

Ask what type of clean they need
Confirm the property size and location
Check their preferred dates and frequency
Collect their name and contact details
Let them know you'll follow up with a quote

Hi there, you've reached Shine Cleaning. I'm the virtual assistant, how can I help you today?

Hi — I'm moving out of my flat on Friday and the letting agent says it needs a professional clean. Can you fit me in?

We do end-of-tenancy cleans, so you're in the right place. Let me grab a few details. How many bedrooms is the flat?

It's a two-bed, one bathroom. It's not massive but it definitely needs a proper deep clean. The oven especially.

Noted — I'll make sure the oven is included. Can I take your name?

Rachel Dunn.

Thanks Rachel. And the best number to reach you?

07700 900 789.

Got it. And what's the postcode of the flat?

SE15 4BN.

Perfect. One more thing — does the letting agent need a specific cleaning certificate, or just the clean itself?

Um, I'm not actually sure. I think they just want it done properly? I can check.

No worries, Amy can go through that with you. She's at a property at the moment but I'll pass everything across. She'll call you back today to confirm a time for Friday. Is there anything else?

No that's everything, thank you.

You're welcome, Rachel. Amy will be in touch shortly. Good luck with the move!

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Solo

Recommended

$49.99

/month 7-day free trial

One person. Every call covered

Answers calls 24/7

20+ natural-sounding voices

Call summaries, transcripts, and recordings

Spam filtering and urgent flags

Make and receive calls, all in one place

Call forwarding, keep your number

Live chat support

Teams

One business, multiple people, total coverage.

Everything in Solo, then:

Multiple users on one account

Shared phone numbers

Call routing to the right person

Web dashboard

Call summaries sent to email

Priority support

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Clara handle different types of cleaning enquiries?

Yes. Clara asks whether the caller needs a one-off, regular, end-of-tenancy, or commercial clean and adjusts her questions accordingly.

Will Clara know what questions to ask about cleaning jobs?

Clara is configured to ask the right questions for your trade: what type of clean, property size, preferred dates, and how to reach them back. You can customise these at any time.

What if an existing client calls to change their schedule?

Clara takes a message with the details and lets you know so you can update the schedule when you're free. She'll let the caller know you'll be in touch shortly.

Does Clara work after hours?

Absolutely. Clara answers calls 24/7. For after-hours calls, she can let callers know your business hours and still capture their details so nothing is lost.

Will callers know they're speaking to an AI?

Clara sounds natural and conversational — most callers won't realise. You can choose whether Clara introduces herself as an assistant or simply answers on your behalf. It's up to you.

Can Clara give out my pricing?

You can set up Clara to share your standard rates, or simply let callers know you'll provide a quote once you've reviewed the job details. You're in control of what she says.

Do I need a new phone number?

No. Clara works with your existing business number. Just set up call forwarding and Clara starts answering when you can't pick up.

What if someone calls about something Clara can't handle?

Clara will take a message and flag it for you. She won't try to bluff her way through something she's not set up for — she'll just make sure you get the details and you can call back.