CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH
Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in the Lima, OH metro area: 24 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 16-person team.
- Establishments
- 24CBP 2023
- Employees
- 381mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 23.8U.S. 32.7
- Rank
- 478th of 920areas by count
How many plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors are in Lima, OH?
There were 24 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in the Lima, OH metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 238220, Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors). They employed 381 people in mid-March and paid $21.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 478th out of 920 areas with published figures for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors.
Measured against its 101,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 23.8 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 32.7, so Lima, OH is 27.2% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 15.9 employees, compared with 10.9 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $55,740, 24.4% below the national $73,693.
| Measure | Lima, OH | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 24 | 2,970 | 111,207 |
| Mid-March employees | 381 | 37,781 | 1,214,761 |
| Annual payroll | $21,237,000 | $2,685,594,000 | $89,519,407,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 15.9 | 12.7 | 10.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $55,740 | $71,083 | $73,693 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 23.8 | 25.0 | 32.7 |
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 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH
Of the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH that had employees in March 2023, 34.8% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 58.3%). 60.9% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 8 | 34.8% | 58.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 26.1% | 18.5% |
| 10–19 employees | 4 | 17.4% | 11.8% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 21.7% | 7.5% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 3.8% |
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.
Why the phone matters for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH
Plumbing and HVAC calls are often emergencies: no heat, no cooling or water where it should not be. Homeowners call down a list until someone answers, so a missed call is frequently a lost job.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH:
- A customer calls to book a seasonal tune-up.
- The dispatcher calls a customer with a technician's arrival time.
- A tenant calls about a burst pipe.
Business texting for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors
Contractors text arrival windows, technician names and invoices.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Phone system pricing for a 16-person plumbing and HVAC contractor
The average plumbing and HVAC contractor in Lima, OH has 15.9 employees, so a 16-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $399.20 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $480.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $319.00 a month for 16 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,932 less than RingCentral for a plumbing and HVAC contractor in Lima, OH 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 | $319.00 | $3,828.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $304.00 | $3,648.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $368.00 | $4,416.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $399.20 | $4,790.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $432.00 | $5,184.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $480.00 | $5,760.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Lima, OH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 419 has the most, with 54 of 97 exchanges (56%). A local number lets customers in Lima, OH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 419 | 54 | Eastern | 1947 | 567 |
| 567 | 38 | Eastern | 2002 | 419 |
| 740 | 3 | Eastern | 1997 | 220 |
| 234 | 1 | Eastern | 2000 | 330 |
| 330 | 1 | Eastern | 1996 | 234 |
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.
What plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in Lima, OH get with Callata
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 Lima, OH 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 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors are there in Lima, OH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 24 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors in the Lima, OH metro area in 2023. They employed 381 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 16-person plumbing and HVAC contractor?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 16 users cost $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $319.00.
What area code should a plumbing and HVAC contractor in Lima, OH use?
Area code 419 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 567 and 740. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a plumbing and HVAC contractor?
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.