[companynWhen hunting for a HVAC contractor, you may have stumbled across the term “service call fee.” Also called a “trip charge,” this fee is the amount an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or air conditioner begins malfunctioning.
Why Do HVAC Companies Use a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee includes the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and increases wear and tear on the company vehicle. It’s important to know that service call fees don’t typically include parts and labor if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company decides how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians use a standard or flat rate for every service call, while others adjust the price if the customer is located outside the established service radius. The exact cost differs by market and company, but you can expect an average trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Pays the Service Call Fee?
If you request a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For starters, you can decide to move forward with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to find varied job estimates from trusted 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 technician 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 avoid trip charges is to enroll in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships offer a waived service call fee, which means we’ll come to your home and inspect 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 working poorly, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Stevenson Service Experts is willing to help. We charge some of the lowest service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement going the right way. We are also eager 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 maximizing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 614-334-3192 today!