The 5 WhatsApp questions every plumber gets — answered before you pick up the phone

Open any plumber's WhatsApp and you'll see the same five conversations on repeat. Customer sends a photo of a wet cupboard. "How much?" "Are you nearby?" "Can you come today?" You're on a roof in Milnerton trying to thumb out the same answer you sent yesterday in Claremont.

1. "Do you cover my area?"

Answer with your real zones — Northern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, whatever you actually service — and whether call-out applies. Instant reply beats a pin drop on the map three hours later.

2. "How much for a geyser / leak / drain?"

Give a honest range, not a fake exact price. "Standard leak repair R850–R1,800 depending on parts" sets expectations and filters tyre-kickers. Add one qualifying question: actively leaking or damp only?

3. "Can you come today / now?"

Check your calendar, offer the next two slots that are genuinely free, and lock one in the chat. "Sipho can be there 14:00–16:00" beats "I'll call you back" every time.

4. "Here's a photo — what is it?"

You still need a human for weird jobs. But for the usual suspects — burst flexi hose, overflowing geyser drip tray, blocked P-trap — a trained agent can acknowledge the photo, name the likely issue, and book the visit without you stopping work.

5. "I'll get back to you" (from you)

This is the one that costs money. Every "I'll reply later" is a customer messaging the next plumber on their list. Automate the repetitive half so you only jump in for the jobs that need your eyes.

Rough takeaway

Your WhatsApp isn't a inbox problem — it's a repeat-question problem. Nail those five answers once, in your voice, with your prices, and let them run 24/7 while you stay on the tools.