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Questions about Sam, answered straight

Sam is a managed AI front desk for trade and home-service businesses. It answers forwarded calls 24/7, says it's a virtual assistant, takes the caller's details and flags urgent calls. It costs $297 to set up and $497 a month, month to month. Below are the questions owners ask most.

About Sam

What is Sam?
Sam is a managed AI front desk from Coastal Digital Assets. Calls you can't get to forward to Sam. Sam tells the caller it's a virtual assistant, takes their name, callback number, service address, the issue and how urgent it is, flags urgent calls and takes a message for your team. We set it up, test it and run it.
Does Sam sound like a robot?
We build it to sound natural: short answers, one question at a time. It tells callers it is a virtual assistant, and we test it on scripted calls before it goes live; you approve it first. If your call volume is low, we'll tell you so before you spend a dollar.
Does Sam tell callers it's AI?
Yes. Sam says it's a virtual assistant at the start of the call. It doesn't pretend to be a person. See how we use AI.
Who sets the appointment time?
Your team does. Sam takes the caller's details and the time they'd like, flags the urgent ones, and your team calls back to confirm. You stay in control of your schedule and who goes out.
What happens if Sam doesn't know the answer?
It takes a message. Sam is built not to make up prices, hours or service areas, so anything it can't answer from what you gave us at kickoff becomes a message for your callback.
Which businesses is Sam for?
Sam is for trade and home-service businesses that live on the phone: HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, landscaping, pest control, garage doors, cleaning, and more. If your phone rings while you're on a job, it's built for you. See it by trade.

Price and terms

How much does it cost?
$297 one-time setup and $497 a month for the Front Desk plan, with up to 300 connected call minutes a month. That's the only plan, and every price is on the pricing page.
Is there a contract?
No long-term contract. It's $297 one-time setup, then $497 a month, month to month. Cancel by email; cancelling takes effect at the end of your paid month.
What if I go over 300 minutes?
We tell you before it happens. Nothing over 300 connected call minutes is billed without your written approval, and we quote it first.
Is there a trial period?
No. Instead, we run scripted test calls during setup and you approve Sam before it answers a real caller.
Do you redo websites?
Yes, as a separate service. We design or rebuild your site and set up your Google listing, scoped and quoted in writing before any work starts. See websites and local SEO.

Setup and your phone line

Do I keep my phone number?
Yes. We use call forwarding on your existing business line, so your number never changes. You also keep ownership of your domain and your data.
What access do you need from me?
Call forwarding on your business line (a two-minute change we walk you through) and a 45-minute kickoff on your services, hours and what counts as urgent. We never ask for your passwords or banking details.
What happens on the 15-minute call?
We ask how calls come in today, show you how Sam would handle your kind of calls, and tell you straight whether it fits. No pressure, no pitch deck.
How do I stop calls going to Sam?
Turn off call forwarding on your line, and calls ring through to you again. We show you how during setup.

Safety and numbers

What does Sam do on an emergency call?
On a gas smell or a similar hazard, Sam tells the caller to get to safety and call 911 or the utility, then flags the call urgent. For other urgent calls, like no heat with a baby at home, it takes the details and flags the call for your team. Sam does not dispatch anyone.
Where do the calculator numbers come from?
From you. The calculator multiplies calls per week, missed-call percentage, close rate, average job value and 4.33 weeks a month. It uses no industry averages.

Still have a question? Email hello@coastaldigitalassets.com or book a 15-minute call.

Updated October 17, 2026