When looking for a HVAC contractor, you may have come across the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the amount an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your heating or cooling starts 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 results in wear and tear on the company vehicle. Remember that service call fees don’t generally cover parts and labor if you choose to go with a repair or replacement.
How Much is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company decides how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians charge a standard or flat rate for every service call, while others raise the price if the appointment is somewhere outside the normal service radius. The specific cost varies by market and company, but you should expect an average trip charge to be between $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 later. For instance, you can choose to move forward with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to compile varied job estimates from trusted HVAC companies—just keep in mind that you could end up paying a trip charge for all these visits. Even if you take no action after the original service call, you will still owe the HVAC company a fee for coming to your home and carrying out diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
A good way to reduce trip charges is to purchase an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships include a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and assess your HVAC system for free.
Other 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 behaving strangely, or you’re interested in an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Roy Inch & Sons Home Services by Enercare is ready 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 valuable offers on our website. If you’re ready to enjoy savings and peace of mind while enhancing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 226-270-1164 today!