The Highest Quality Telephone Answering Service in the United States

Centratel

Telephone Answering Service

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Addressing Emergency Repairs Efficiently with a Business Answering Service for Property Managers

December 12, 2023
Property Management
By Centratel

The Unpredictability of Property Management Emergencies with a Business Answering Service

Property management is an unpredictable landscape, fraught with emergencies that demand immediate attention. The unpredictable nature of these emergencies can be daunting, but with Centratel’s Property Management Answering Service, you can navigate these challenges with ease. 

Our business answering service is designed to handle the unexpected, ensuring that your tenants’ needs are met promptly and accurately. Whether it’s a sudden maintenance issue or a lockout situation, our team is ready to respond 24/7, providing the same level of professionalism as your front office staff. We understand that in the realm of property management, every call is urgent and every detail matters. That’s why we pride ourselves on our low error rate and our commitment to human engagement. With Centratel, you can rest assured that your property management emergencies are in capable hands.

The Risk of Miscommunication in Stressful Situations

In the high-stakes world of property management, the risk of miscommunication in stressful situations can be a significant stumbling block. When emergencies arise, the pressure is on to relay accurate information swiftly and efficiently. We understand the complexities of the property management industry and the critical role clear communication plays in these scenarios. Our team of experienced professionals is trained to handle tenant calls with the utmost precision, ensuring that every message is conveyed accurately and promptly. This commitment to excellence reduces the risk of miscommunication, providing a safety net in times of crisis. Our business answering service is not just a tool; it’s a reliable partner, dedicated to helping you navigate the unpredictable landscape of property management.

The Importance of Rapid and Accurate Response

When it comes to emergency repairs and emergency maintenance in the property management industry, the significance of rapid and accurate response cannot be overstated. In the face of a crisis, every second counts. Whether it’s a burst pipe flooding a tenant’s apartment or a malfunctioning HVAC system in the middle of a heatwave, the urgency of these situations demands an immediate and precise response from your business.

This is where Centratel’s Property Management Answering Service shines. Our team of seasoned professionals, backed by our industry-leading low error rate, ensures that every call is handled with the utmost urgency and accuracy. We understand that in these scenarios, we are not just dealing with properties, but with people’s homes and businesses. By answering emergency calls, we help maintain the integrity of your properties, the satisfaction of your tenants, and the reputation of your business.

After Hours Business Answering Service for Non-Stop Tenant Support

As a property manager, you understand the importance of non-stop tenant support, especially after hours when unforeseen breakdowns can occur. Our business answering service is your reliable partner, providing round-the-clock assistance to your tenants, akin to your front office staff. We understand that in the property management industry, emergencies don’t adhere to business hours. Be it a sudden maintenance issue or a lockout situation, our team is ready to respond 24/7, ensuring accurate and prompt responses. Our commitment to human engagement and our low error rate set us apart, offering a seamless extension to your property management company. We understand that every call is urgent and every detail matters. With Centratel, you can rest assured that your tenants are supported, even after hours, and your property management emergencies are handled with utmost professionalism.

Minimizing Interruptions and Maximizing Efficiency

At Centratel, we understand the intricate dynamics of the property management industry. We recognize that every call is a potential emergency, a tenant locked out, a sudden leak, or a critical repair request. Our Property Management Answering Service is designed to minimize interruptions and maximize efficiency, ensuring that your operations run smoothly, even after hours. We understand the importance of prompt responses in maintaining tenant satisfaction and preserving the value of your property investment. Our commitment to human engagement, as opposed to AI or outsourcing, guarantees a personalized and empathetic response to each call. With Centratel, you can rest assured that your tenants are in good hands, 24/7.

Urgent Repair Management

Addressing urgent repairs is a critical aspect of property management. The ability to manage these emergencies efficiently is what sets a superior service apart. A delayed response to a maintenance emergency can escalate the situation, leading to tenant dissatisfaction and potential damage to your property. 

At Centratel, our Property Management Answering Service excels in managing these urgent situations. Our team is trained to handle every call with the utmost urgency and professionalism, akin to your front office staff. We understand that in the realm of property management, every second counts. With Centratel, you can rest assured that your tenants’ urgent repair needs are addressed promptly and professionally, preserving the value of your property investment and maintaining tenant satisfaction.

Take the Next Step: Secure a Stronger Future with Centratel

As a property manager, you are well aware of the challenges that come with managing a diverse property portfolio. From handling tenant inquiries to addressing maintenance emergencies, the demands are relentless. But, what if you could secure a stronger future for your business by partnering with a trusted ally? Centratel’s Property Management Answering Service is that ally. 

We are not just an answering service; we are an extension of your front office, offering round-the-clock support to your tenants. Our commitment to human interaction ensures that your tenants receive prompt and accurate responses, be it for lockouts, maintenance emergencies, or simple inquiries. Our stringent screening process minimizes interruptions, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – growing your business. With our 30-day free trial and no long-term contracts, we offer a risk-free solution to manage your calls. So why wait? Get a Free Quote today and take the next step towards a stronger future with Centratel.

Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik

A Telephone Answering Service Representative taking calls at Centratel

Centratel is an elite national telephone answering service headquartered in Bend, Oregon. Across the United States, Centratel’s Property Management Answering Service assists hundreds of property management operations handle overflow calls, screen after-hours inquiries, capture leads, and forward calls. Whether you’re managing rental homes, renting out apartments, managing an HOA or operating a senior living facility, an elite-quality property management answering service such as Centratel is the ideal solution. Call us today. Your first 30 days are free.

Taking the Next Step

For more specifics on cost, to start the onboarding process, or to just talk to us, fill out this form with your basic information and if it’s during regular working hours (M-F 8am to 8pm EST or 5am to 5pm PST), we’ll get back to you within minutes. Or, during the above hours, you can simply call us at 800-664-7159 or send us an email to inquiry@centratel.com.

(And note: for a quick orientation on how we operate, take a moment to review one or more of the key points listed below.)

For more specifics on cost, to start the onboarding process, or to just talk to us, fill out this form with your basic information and if it’s during regular working hours (M-F 8am to 8pm EST or 5am to 5pm PST), we’ll get back to you within minutes. Or, during the above hours, you can simply call us at 800-664-7159 or send us an email to inquiry@centratel.com.

(And note: for a quick orientation on how we operate, take a moment to review one or more of the key points listed on the right.)

Terms of Service

Why Choose Centratel

BY SAM CARPENTER
October 1, 2024

1.CENTRATEL’S UNIQUE 30-DAY FREE TRIAL

Why is this important? Because it will provide you a truly accurate estimate of cost (we bill monthly), it will demonstrate our quality, and it gives both sides of this equation—you and Centratel—the necessary time to refine and perfect operational details.

Here’s a testimonial from a new medical client that had just finished their 30-day trial: “Of course, I love the cost as it is close to the amount I was allowed by the president of the company. I told him that if we did not continue with Centratel, I would resign as the Director of Customer Service, and I meant it. It’s a great fit. We have had NOT ONE complaint from a patient or in-house which, as you know, we received daily with our former answering service. I love you, Centratel, and the price. I’m ready to sign whatever documents you require. Thanks for the great service, and the free month! To a great partnership! -KB, Phoenix“

2.STATISTICALLY, THE BEST IN THE U.S.?

Answering service quality is 100% dependent on human action and reaction, and in the course of a single day a multitude of human decisions are made by the people who process the calls: Telephone Service Representatives, or TSRs. (Some answering services refer to them as “agents.” Others, “operators.”)

Like any other answering service, at Centratel we’re dealing with real live human beings and so human errors occur. But within this labor intensive service industry that is historically known for marginal quality, Centratel’s error rate is light years ahead of established standards. Our most recent Customer Reported Error Rate (July through September, 2024) was 1 customer-reported error for every 6,077 message transactions processed. That statistic is unmatched.

There’s no artificial intelligence manipulation, we do not offshore calls, and we were founded and have always operated within the United States. (Note that since early 2020, the COVID six-foot social distancing mandate drove thousands of small-to-medium sized answering services out of business. Large, foreign-owned multi-nationals, often disguised by the name of the local answering services they acquired, now thoroughly dominate the industry. Hence, an even further decline in general service quality. See this analysis.)

3.CUSTOMER SERVICE EXTRAORDINAIRE

Your concerns and requests will be instantly acted upon. It’s a work ethic that stands out in stark contrast from the general quality decline in human-to-human business-customer communications. You’ve seen it yourself, all around. At Centratel you will know the customer service people you’re working with by name, appreciating their special listening abilities as well as their take-action-now comportments i.e. see the testimonial in point #1 above. ‘Nuff said!

4.GETTING STARTED: IT’S SIMPLE AND FAST

Getting your new Centratel answering service 30-day free trial started is accomplished within 24-48 hours. From the start, your “onboarding” customer service representative will be with you every step of the way, listening carefully to your concerns, answering questions, and offering suggestions.

5.NEW TO USING AN ANSWERING SERVICE?

A majority of our current answering service accounts switched to us from another service because of quality problems. However, if you have not used a service before, you are not familiar with the options, benefits, and pitfalls. As noted, our 30-day free trial provides you—and us—plenty of time to precisely refine your desired message-taking and delivery protocols; to get things exactly the way you want them to be without any financial risk, undue pressure, or obligation. 

6.PRICING

Starting at $89 per month, our rates rank in the mid-range of the industry. For call processing, we charge by the “transaction unit” rather than the duration of time spent handling calls. Large “mega-services” operating in the U.S. prefer time billing because it ensures the company is compensated for lower-paid/high-turnover — and thus slower — agents. No matter the quality or how long they keep your callers on hold, they still make a profit. And yes, it can get expensive.

In any answering service, it takes a long time for a new agent to become fast, efficient, and stable. At Centratel, we pamper and reward experienced agents (via higher pay and great benefits) and therefore have extremely low staff turnover. Needless to say, experienced agents make fewer errors than trainees who learn on-the-job.

7.ACCURATELY COMPARING ANSWERING SERVICE PRICING IS COMPLICATED

It’s apples and oranges. There isn’t an industry standard for billing, and each answering service has its own formula. Also, as noted above, some services charge by agent “time” while others charge by “work units.” Some others combine the two. At Centratel, we charge for the work we do, not by the time we spend. The raw truth is that the only reliable way to determine monthly cost for a new service is to use that service for a solid month. Most answering services offer a 7-day free trial or no trial at all.

8.BEWARE: MONTHLY OR 28-DAY BILLING?

Important! At Centratel, we use a “monthly” billing cycle in which invoices are compiled from the first day of a month to the last day of that month. When soliciting quotes from other services, be sure to ask if the base-rate charges are billed monthly or on a “28-day billing cycle.” There is no good reason for a 28-day billing cycle! It’s bait-and-switch: customers billed on a 28-day cycle actually receive thirteen billings per year and therefore the overall cost is higher.

9.NO CONTRACT AND SIMPLE TERMS OF SERVICE

We do not require a yearly contract for service because we believe you should have the opportunity to evaluate us real-time, without restraint. Our terms of service are simple and straight-forward.

10.VALUABLE FREE GIFT FOR CONTACTING US

If you take the time to discuss answering service with us, on the same day we will ship you a hardcover copy of Sam Carpenter’s bestselling book, Work The System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less, now in its 5th edition. We’ll send you a copy just for contacting us. (Sam is the founder and President of Centratel. December 1st 2024 marks his fortieth year of ownership.)