When looking for a HVAC contractor, you may have come across the term “service call fee.” Also named 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 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, consumes fuel, and increases wear and tear on the company vehicle. Keep in mind that service call fees don’t typically include parts and labor if you decide on a repair or replacement.
How Costly is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company decides how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors charge a standard or flat rate for any service call, while others adjust the rate if the customer is someplace outside the established service radius. The specific cost changes with market and company, but you could 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 pay the trip charge regardless of what step you take after. For instance, you might opt to agree with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which method is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to find multiple job estimates from local 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 original service call, you will still owe the HVAC company a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Skip Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to minimize 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 inspect 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 interested in an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air is ready to help. We charge some of the lowest service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement off to a good start. We are also eager to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with valuable 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 210-404-4233 today!