---
title: "Answering Service vs AI vs In-House CSR | Sunshine Admin"
description: "Answering service, AI receptionist, in-house CSR or a live CSR team? Compare the options for your home service business and the questions to ask before you choose."
url: "https://www.sunshineadmin.com/answering-service-comparison"
---

# Answering Service, AI or In-House CSR?

Four ways to get your home service company’s phones answered, what each is good at, and the questions to ask before you pick one.

## Your options, **side by side**

-   ### Traditional answering service

    Most answering services take a message and pass it on. That can be enough if you only need messages taken and your own office books every job.

    **Fits when:** You want messages taken, and your office does the rest.

-   ### AI-only receptionist

    Answers every call instantly, day and night. It suits routine questions and bookings; for calls that need a person, Aurora hands off to a live Sunshine Admin agent.

    **Fits when:** Most of your calls are simple and predictable.

    [Meet Aurora →](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/aurora)

-   ### Your own in-house CSR

    Someone who knows your business inside out. You recruit, train, coach and manage them, and cover their days off and nights.

    **Fits when:** You have the volume for a full-time hire and time to manage them. We can recruit and coach them for you.

    [Hiring & coaching →](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/recruit-train-csr-admin)

-   ### Sunshine Admin live CSR team

    Trained live agents who answer like your office, book jobs in your software and route emergencies, 24/7, as a shared team, a semi-dedicated CSR or a dedicated CSR, with Aurora for overflow if you want it.

    **Fits when:** You want calls booked, not just answered, without growing your office.

    [24/7 Live CSR Team →](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/virtual-csr-team)


COMPARE

## Sunshine Admin vs. **Other Answering services**

| Feature | Sunshine Admin | Traditional Answering Services | AI Only Solutions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No HR headaches | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Feels like your brand | ✅ Yes | ❌ Scripted | ❌ Robotic |
| 24/7 with live/AI blend | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Dedicated or semi dedicated option | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| CRM integration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Partial |
| Custom call flows | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Books jobs, not just messages | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Sometimes |
| Industry trained | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Real agents | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |

## Questions to ask **any answering service**

1.  Do they book jobs in your software, or only take messages?
2.  How do they decide what is an emergency, and who gets that call?
3.  Can you call and hear them before you sign up?
4.  Will the same people answer for you (shared, semi-dedicated or dedicated)?
5.  How is pricing structured: a base fee, per minute, or both?
6.  Is every call logged in your CRM, and can you review it?

FAQ

## Comparison **questions**

### Is an AI receptionist enough for a home service business?

It depends on your calls. [Aurora](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/aurora) answers 24/7, books jobs and logs leads in your CRM, and a live Sunshine Admin agent steps in when a person is needed. Many businesses use Aurora after hours and for overflow while people answer during the day.

### What’s the difference between a shared team and a dedicated CSR?

A shared team covers your calls around the clock; a dedicated CSR works only for your business with your scripts and schedule, backed by our training and QA team.

### How much do these options cost with Sunshine Admin?

Our shared 24/7 live team (Sun-Lite) starts at $62/week plus per-minute usage, and Aurora starts at $197/month plus $0.49 per minute of call time. Semi-dedicated and dedicated CSRs are quoted to your call volume.

### Can I hear your team before deciding?

Yes. Request the number for our [live test line](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/virtual-csr-team#csr-tl) and call a real rep, or call Aurora on +1 239-215-3368.

## Not sure which fits? **Ask us.**

We’ll look at your call volume and how your office works, and help you choose the setup that fits.

[Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/yvonne-villeneuve/sunshine-new-partner-strategy-call) [Contact Us](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/contact-us)

![Home service team with 24/7 answering service support](https://www.sunshineadmin.com/_astro/84770f_6e9d75c58693489d9ec1dd112707ba33_d_2618_1768_s_2.PH3FKme4_2vrDC2.webp)