When hunting for a HVAC contractor, you may have stumbled across the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the amount an HVAC company charges for sending a technician to your home when your heating or AC unit begins acting up.
Why Do HVAC Companies Have a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and increases wear and tear on the company vehicle. Keep in mind that service call fees don’t typically come with parts and labor if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company determines how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians use a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others adjust the price if the customer is someplace outside the established service radius. The specific cost varies by market and company, but you can expect a typical trip charge to be between $79 to $129.
Who is Responsible for the Service Call Fee?
If you schedule a service call, you will need to pay the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For instance, you could decide to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are free to compare several job estimates from local HVAC companies—just don’t forget that you could end up paying a trip charge for each one. Even if you take no action after the first service call, you will still owe the HVAC company a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
An easy way to avoid trip charges is to purchase an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships offer a waived service call fee, meaning we’ll come to your home and evaluate your HVAC system for free.
More money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership are:
- No overtime charges
- 15% savings on repairs
- 15% savings on indoor air quality products
- And much more
If your furnace or air conditioner is acting up, or you’re open to an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to help. We charge some of the most affordable service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement started. We are also eager to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with worthwhile offers on our website. If you’re hoping to enjoy savings and peace of mind while enhancing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 587-404-0790 today!