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Per-minute billing is a pricing model in which an answering service charges based on the total minutes it spends handling your calls. The more and longer the calls, the higher the bill, which makes costs variable and harder to predict from month to month.
Under per-minute billing, every second an agent or system spends on your calls counts toward your total. Some providers round up each call and include time for greetings, holds, and wrap-up work.
This model can be economical for very low call volumes, but costs rise with busy months and can spike unexpectedly during promotions or emergencies. Budgeting is difficult because the bill depends on how much callers talk.
Flat-rate answering is the main alternative, charging a fixed monthly fee regardless of minutes. Cadrey Receptionist uses a flat monthly rate so the cost stays the same no matter the call volume.
Because the bill depends on how many calls come in and how long they last. Busy months, longer conversations, and rounding can all push the cost higher than expected.
Related: Flat-Rate Answering, Answering Service, Call Overflow, 24/7 Answering