What is a Service Call Fee and How Does it Influence Me?
When hunting for a HVAC contractor, you may have seen the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the expense an HVAC company requests for sending a technician to your home when your furnace or air conditioner begins malfunctioning.
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, requires fuel, and results in wear and tear on the company vehicle. Don’t forget that service call fees don’t usually cover parts and labour if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Expensive is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company decides how much to charge for a service call. Some contractors offer a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others raise the rate if the customer is somewhere outside the established service radius. The exact cost varies by market and company, but you can expect a typical trip charge to be between $79 to $129.
Who is Responsible for the Service Call Fee?
If you request a service call, you will need to settle the trip charge regardless of what step you take later. For example, you might opt to proceed with the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which option is more cost effective.
You are encouraged to find varied job estimates from various 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 original service call, you will still owe the HVAC company a fee for coming to your home and carrying out diagnostics.
How Can I Skip Paying a Service Call Fee?
An easy way to decrease trip charges is to enroll in an HVAC membership from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. All four of our memberships provide a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and evaluate your HVAC system for free.
Additional 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 acting up, or you’re interested in an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts is ready to help. We charge some of the lowest service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement started. We are also willing 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 boosting efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 226-773-3357 today!