When searching for a trustworthy contractor, you may have run across the term “service call fee.” Also named a “trip charge,” this fee is the expense an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or AC unit seems to be working poorly.
Why Do HVAC Companies Charge a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee covers the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, requires fuel, and increases wear and tear on the company vehicle. Be aware that service call fees don’t typically come with 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 companies charge a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others adjust the price if the home is located outside the normal service radius. The particular cost changes with 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 schedule a service call, you will need to produce the trip charge regardless of what step you take after. For example, you could choose to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to collect varied job estimates from various HVAC companies—just be aware that you may end up paying a trip charge for each one. Even if you take no action after the first service call, you will still owe the contractor a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Avoid Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to decrease trip charges is to enroll in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships include a waived service call fee, meaning we’ll come to your home and check 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 acting up, or you’re looking into an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, A1 Chesney 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 happy to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with valuable offers on our website. If you’re hoping to enjoy savings and peace of mind while maximizing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 587-315-5271 today!