When looking for a HVAC contractor, you may have come across 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 furnace or air conditioner appears to be malfunctioning.
Why Do HVAC Companies Charge a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, requires fuel, and results in wear and tear on the company vehicle. Keep in mind that service call fees don’t typically include parts and labor if you choose to go with a repair or replacement.
How Expensive is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company determines how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors use a standard or flat rate for any service call, while others raise the price if the home is somewhere outside the established service radius. The particular cost changes with market and company, but you should expect an average trip charge to be around $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you schedule a service call, you will need to produce the trip charge regardless of what step you take next. For instance, you may prefer to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are welcome to request multiple job estimates from local HVAC companies—just be aware that you can 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 HVAC company a fee for coming to your home and carrying out diagnostics.
How Can I Skip Paying a Service Call Fee?
A simple way to avoid trip charges is to sign up for 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 check your HVAC system for free.
More money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership are:
- 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 acting up, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 ready to enjoy savings and peace of mind while enhancing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 352-414-4006 today!