CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for architectural services firms in Charleston, SC
Architectural services firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: 98 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 6-person team.
- Establishments
- 98CBP 2023
- Employees
- 551mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 11.3U.S. 6.7
- Rank
- 44th of 431areas by count
The architecture firm market in Charleston, SC
There were 98 architectural services firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541310, Architectural Services). They employed 551 people in mid-March and paid $54.3 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 44th out of 431 areas with published figures for architectural services firms.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 11.3 architectural services firms per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 6.7, so Charleston, SC is 68.0% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 5.6 employees, compared with 8.3 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $98,606, in line with the national $98,717.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 98 | 305 | 22,805 |
| Mid-March employees | 551 | 1,732 | 189,468 |
| Annual payroll | $54,332,000 | $167,452,000 | $18,703,680,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 5.6 | 5.7 | 8.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $98,606 | $96,681 | $98,717 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 11.3 | 5.6 | 6.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at architectural services firms in Charleston, SC
Of the architectural services firms in Charleston, SC that had employees in March 2023, 68.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 63.6%). 88.7% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 66 | 68.0% | 63.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 20 | 20.6% | 17.6% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 7.2% | 10.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 4.1% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.7% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What architectural services firms in Charleston, SC use the phone for
Architects coordinate clients, consultants, contractors and permitting offices across long projects. Calls need to reach the project lead, and summaries of decisions help keep teams aligned.
Calls an architecture firm in Charleston, SC might handle in a typical week include:
- A permitting office calls about a submission.
- A homeowner calls about designing an addition.
- The firm calls a client to review a design.
Texting clients
Firms text meeting confirmations and site-visit times.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs an architecture firm in Charleston, SC
The average architecture firm in Charleston, SC has 5.6 employees, so a 6-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $149.70 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $180.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $119.00 a month for 6 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $732 less than RingCentral for an architecture firm in Charleston, SC of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $119.00 | $1,428.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $114.00 | $1,368.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $138.00 | $1,656.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $149.70 | $1,796.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $162.00 | $1,944.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $180.00 | $2,160.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in Charleston, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 267 of 330 exchanges (81%). A local number lets clients in Charleston, SC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 267 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 63 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for an architecture firm in Charleston, SC
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Charleston, SC is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many architectural services firms are there in Charleston, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 98 architectural services firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 551 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 6-person architecture firm?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 6 users cost $180.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $149.70 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $119.00.
What area code should an architecture firm in Charleston, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for an architecture firm?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.