What is a Service Call Fee and How Does it Impact Me?

When searching for a trustworthy contractor, you may have seen 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 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, 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 choose to go with 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 select a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others raise the price if the home is someplace outside the standard service radius. The specific cost differs by market and company, but you should expect an average 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 next. For starters, you could opt to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.

You are free to compare multiple job estimates from trusted HVAC companies—just keep in mind 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 HVAC company 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 enroll in an HVAC membership from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. All four of our memberships offer a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and assess your HVAC system for free.

More money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership include:

    • No overtime charges
    • 15% savings on repairs
    • And much more

If your furnace or air conditioner is malfunctioning, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is ready 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 happy to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with special offers on our website. If you’re looking to enjoy savings and peace of mind while boosting efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 866-397-3787 today!