What is a Service Call Fee and How Does it Affect Me?
When looking for a trustworthy contractor, you may have seen the term “service call fee.” Also called a “trip charge,” this fee is the cost an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your heating or cooling begins malfunctioning.
Why Do HVAC Companies Have a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee covers the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and accumulates wear and tear on the company vehicle. Remember that service call fees don’t usually include parts and labor if you decide on a repair or replacement.
How Much is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company chooses how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians utilize a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others increase the price if the appointment is further outside the standard service radius. The specific cost differs by market and company, but you may expect a typical trip charge to be between $79 to $129.
Who Pays the Service Call Fee?
If you schedule a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For starters, you may decide to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are welcome to request varied job estimates from trusted HVAC companies—just don’t forget that you may end up paying a trip charge for all these visits. 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 good way to avoid trip charges is to participate in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships provide a waived service call fee, meaning we’ll come to your home and evaluate your HVAC system for free.
Additional money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership consist of:
- No overtime charges
- 15% savings on repairs with the Maintenance+ Plan
- 15% savings on indoor air quality products with the Maintenance+ Plan
- And much more
If your furnace or air conditioner is working poorly, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Strand Brothers Service Experts is willing to help. We charge some of the most affordable service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement off to a good start. We are also happy to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with valuable offers on our website. If you’re ready to enjoy savings and peace of mind while boosting efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 512-592-3072 today!
