When hunting for a reliable contractor, you may have seen the term “service call fee.” Also named a “trip charge,” this fee is the expense an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or air conditioner appears to be acting up.
Why Do HVAC Companies Use a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and produces wear and tear on the company vehicle. Remember that service call fees don’t generally include parts and labor if you choose to go with a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company chooses how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors select a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others raise the price if the home is located outside the normal service radius. The exact cost differs by market and company, but you could expect your usual trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Pays the Service Call Fee?
If you arrange a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take after. For starters, you could decide to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which method is more cost effective.
You are welcome to compare several job estimates from local HVAC companies—just remember that you might end up paying a trip charge for every one. Even if you take no action after the first service call, you will still owe the contractor a fee for coming to your home and carrying out diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to reduce trip charges is to sign up for 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 inspect your HVAC system for free.
More money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership consist of:
- No overtime charges
- 15% savings on repairs
- 15% savings on indoor air quality products
- And much more
If your furnace or air conditioner is working poorly, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to help. We charge some of the most inexpensive service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement started. We are also happy to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with special offers on our website. If you’re looking to enjoy savings and peace of mind while enhancing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 954-736-4314 today!