When searching for a heating and cooling contractor, you may have stumbled across the term “service call fee.” Also named a “trip charge,” this fee is the cost an HVAC company charges for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or air conditioner starts working poorly.
Why Do HVAC Companies Have a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, consumes fuel, and causes wear and tear on the company vehicle. Don’t forget that service call fees don’t often include parts and labor if you decide on a repair or replacement.
How Much is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company determines how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors charge a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others increase the cost if the customer is somewhere outside the normal service radius. The specific cost varies by market and company, but you may expect a typical trip charge to be between $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you request a service call, you will need to pay the trip charge regardless of what step you take next. For starters, you could choose to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which method is more cost effective.
You are welcome to find several job estimates from various HVAC companies—just be aware that you may end up paying a trip charge for every one. Even if you take no action after the original service call, you will still owe the contractor a fee for coming to your home and performing diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to reduce trip charges is to enroll in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships come with a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and evaluate 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 behaving strangely, or you’re looking into an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Freschi Service Experts is happy to help. We charge some of the most affordable service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement started. 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 maximizing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 925-384-1303 today!