AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist: The Real ROI for Real Estate
Hiring a receptionist is one of the biggest fixed costs for a real estate agency. But is it the best use of your budget? Let's compare the numbers.
Cost Comparison
| Cost Item | Human Receptionist | AI Front Desk (Frontly) |
|---|---|---|
| Base cost | $55,000 - $75,000/year | Flat annual rate (see [pricing](/pricing)) |
| Superannuation (11.5%) | $6,325 - $8,625 | N/A |
| Leave loading | ~$2,000 | N/A |
| Training | $2,000 - $5,000 | N/A |
| Workers compensation | ~$1,500 | N/A |
| Setup | N/A | Included |
| Total annual cost | $67,000 - $92,000 | A fraction of human cost |
| Hours of coverage | 38/week (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) | 24/7/365 |
Capability Comparison
| Capability | Human Receptionist | AI Front Desk (Frontly) |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent calls | 1 at a time | Unlimited |
| After-hours coverage | No | Yes |
| Weekend & holiday coverage | No (or overtime rates) | Yes |
| CRM integration | Manual data entry | Real-time auto-sync |
| Call transcripts | No | Every call |
| Response time | Varies | Instant (first ring) |
A human receptionist can handle one call at a time. During busy periods (Monday morning, Saturday after open homes), calls queue and prospects hang up.
An AI front desk handles unlimited concurrent calls. Every call answered on the first ring, every time.
The Verdict
For most agencies, the ideal setup is AI handling after-hours, overflow, and routine enquiries, with your human team focused on high-value client interactions. This gives you 24/7 coverage at a fraction of the cost of additional staff.