[companynWhen searching 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 charges for sending a technician to your home when your heater or cooling begins working poorly.
Why Do HVAC Companies Use a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and increases wear and tear on the company vehicle. Be aware 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 determines how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians charge a standard or flat rate for every service call, while others raise the rate if the home is somewhere outside the standard service radius. The exact cost changes with market and company, but you should expect a typical trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you request a service call, you will need to produce the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For instance, you can opt to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.
You are welcome to request varied job estimates from different HVAC companies—just be aware that you might end up paying a trip charge for all these visits. 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 performing diagnostics.
How Can I Skip Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to reduce trip charges is to sign up for an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships offer a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and inspect your HVAC system for free.
Additional 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, R & M Climate Control Service Experts is ready to help. We charge some of the most inexpensive service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement off to a good start. We are also happy to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with worthwhile 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 865-229-6176 today!