When hunting for a reliable contractor, you may have come across the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the amount an HVAC company charges for sending a technician to your home when your heating or air conditioner appears to be 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 produces wear and tear on the company vehicle. Remember that service call fees don’t usually include parts and labor if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Expensive is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company chooses how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors select a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others adjust the rate if the home is further outside the standard service radius. The exact cost changes with market and company, but you may 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 after. For instance, you may prefer to move forward with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.
You are free to compile several job estimates from various HVAC companies—just be aware that you may 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 contractor 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 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, meaning we’ll come to your home and assess your HVAC system for free.
Other 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 malfunctioning, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Levy & Son Service Experts is willing to help. We charge some of the most inexpensive 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 worthwhile 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 469-250-0932 today!