When looking for a heating and cooling contractor, you may have come across the term “service call fee.” Also called a “trip charge,” this fee is the expense an HVAC company bills for sending a technician to your home when your heater or air conditioner seems to be acting up.
Why Do HVAC Companies Use a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee covers the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, consumes fuel, and produces wear and tear on the company vehicle. It’s important to know that service call fees don’t often include parts and labor if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company chooses how much to charge for a service call. Some companies offer a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others increase the rate if the appointment is further outside the normal service radius. The particular cost differs by market and company, but you can expect an average trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you arrange a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take next. For instance, you may choose to move forward with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.
You are free to request several job estimates from trusted HVAC companies—just keep in mind that you can end up paying a trip charge for each one. Even if you take no action after the initial 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 smart way to avoid trip charges is to enroll in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships provide a waived service call fee, which means 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
- 15% savings on indoor air quality products
- And much more
If your furnace or air conditioner is working poorly, or you’re interested in an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Norrell 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 special offers on our website. If you’re hoping to enjoy savings and peace of mind while enhancing efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 205-267-0023 today!