When looking for a heating and cooling contractor, you may have seen the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the cost an HVAC company bills for sending a technician to your home when your heating or AC unit seems to be working poorly.
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, consumes fuel, and results in wear and tear on the company vehicle. Be aware that service call fees don’t often include parts and labor if you decide on a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company determines how much to charge for a service call. Some companies select a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others adjust the price if the appointment is further outside the usual service radius. The particular cost differs by market and company, but you can expect your usual trip charge to be around $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you request a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take after. For starters, you might prefer to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to request multiple job estimates from different HVAC companies—just remember that you may end up paying a trip charge for every one. Even if you take no action after the initial service call, you will still owe the technician a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to avoid trip charges is to participate in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships include a waived service call fee, which means we’ll come to your home and check your HVAC system for free.
More money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership include:
- 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 interested in 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 off to a good start. We are also excited 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 boosting efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 303-647-5749 today!