Comparing the Costs: Telephone Answering Services vs Hiring Staff

For many small businesses, deciding how to manage incoming calls can be a challenge. Do you hire a full-time receptionist, or would outsourcing your calls to a telephone answering service be more practical?

At Your Office & PA, we speak to business owners every day who are weighing up the same question. The truth is, outsourcing your calls can offer significant cost savings, without compromising on professionalism or customer service.

Let’s take a closer look at the real costs involved in each option and why an increasing number of businesses are choosing to outsource.

The Cost of Hiring a Receptionist

Hiring in-house comes with a number of expenses beyond just salary. For a full-time receptionist, the typical costs include:

• Annual salary (often £26,000-£32,000 or more depending on experience and location)
• Employer National Insurance contributions
• Pension contributions
• Holiday and sick pay
• Training and management time
• Desk space, phone system, and equipment

When you factor all of this in, the real cost of employing someone is significantly higher than just their wage. And that’s before you consider the impact of unplanned absences, or needing cover during lunch breaks, holidays, or emergencies.

The Cost of Outsourcing to a Telephone Answering Service

Now let’s look at the alternative.

With a telephone answering service like ours, you only pay for the calls we answer. There are no salaries, no overheads, and no long-term contracts. Our pricing is designed to suit businesses of all sizes—from sole traders and start-ups to established companies needing overflow support.

You’ll receive:

• A UK-based professional receptionist answering in your company name
• Messages taken and delivered accurately and promptly
• Flexible support that scales up or down with your call volume
• Optional extras like diary management or call transfers
• Coverage during times when you’re busy, in meetings, or away from your desk

It’s a cost-effective way to ensure no opportunity is missed—without the commitment and cost of taking on staff.

Comparing the Benefits: What Are You Really Getting?

Why More Businesses Are Choosing to Outsource

For many businesses, especially those still growing or running on tight margins, a telephone answering service provides the professional image of a fully staffed office without the associated costs.

It also gives you freedom. You don’t have to worry about managing another team member. You’re not tied into long contracts or paying for downtime. And you’re free to focus on what you do best, knowing that your calls are in safe hands.

Try It for Yourself

The best way to understand how a tailored answering service works is to experience it. Your Office & PA offers a 14-day free trial, giving you the opportunity to see how easily our team fits into yours. You can test how the service sounds, make adjustments, and see how much time it saves.

You can try us free for 14 days to see the difference for yourself. Or call us on 0800 433 40 30 to find out more.