On hold messaging systems can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred to about a thousand dollars, excluding programming costs. Not all services will require that you buy the unit, however.

Over time, the cost of programs can easily exceed the initial cost of the message-on-hold unit. Expect to pay $130 to $400 per customized production for your location. This should cover all fees including custom copywriting, licensing of music, voice talent, sound effects, and the actual production of the commercial. A typical production runs three or four minutes and contains four to six messages.

The more times you change the on-hold message annually, the more the price per production will drop. If your company regularly offers new promotions, unlimited changes are also available for a monthly fee. Industry-wide, the average client changes their on-hold commercial four times a year. Prices for program costs can also drop significantly as you distribute the production across multiple locations.

Pre-recorded generic commercials are also offered by some vendors. With this type of on hold message, you simply purchase the piece and pop the message right into your system. No opportunities for customizing your on hold message with your company name or specific promotions exist. Expect to pay about $50 per production.