When searching for a HVAC contractor, you may have run across the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the cost an HVAC company charges for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or air conditioner starts acting up.
Why Do HVAC Companies Charge a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee recoups the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, uses fuel, and causes wear and tear on the company vehicle. Remember that service call fees don’t generally include parts and labor if you decide on a repair or replacement.
How Much 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 cost if the home is someplace outside the usual service radius. The particular cost changes with market and company, but you can expect an average trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Pays the Service Call Fee?
If you schedule a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For example, you might choose to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which method is more cost effective.
You are welcome to compile varied job estimates from various HVAC companies—just keep in mind that you can end up paying a trip charge for all these visits. Even if you take no action after the initial service call, you will still owe the technician a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Avoid Paying a Service Call Fee?
A good way to decrease trip charges is to participate in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. All four of our memberships come with a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and check your HVAC system for free.
Other money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership include:
- 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 open to an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Wesley Wood Service Experts is happy to help. We charge some of the lowest service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement started. We are also excited 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 484-401-7577 today!