What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you are looking for heating, air conditioning or plumbing services from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee independently. A number of companies you’ve hired in the past might have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we believe we can offer even more value by separating them. 

What Is a Trip Charge? 

A trip charge handles the cost for a qualified plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Occasionally called a service call fee, this payment is the initial rate for bringing our technicians, equipment and expertise to your door. If you’d like to avoid trip charges in the future, you can consider joining one of our membership plans

What Is a Diagnostic Fee? 

The diagnostic fee covers the services required to determine the root of a problem. With plumbing, this could be comprised of scoping. During HVAC repairs, it may involve taking a look at the inside of your unit. If you elect to use Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for your repairs, the diagnostic fee is rolled into the repair bill. That said, you are charged for the diagnostic services alone if you don’t. 

What Is the Difference Between a Trip Fee and a Diagnostic Fee 

Generally speaking, a trip fee gets the plumber or HVAC technician to your residence, while the diagnostic fee encompasses all the work related to assessing the issue and coming up with a plan for repairs. If you pay for repairs, you shouldn’t notice the diagnostic fee as it’ll be rolled into the cost of the repairs. 

Why Are Diagnostic Fees and Trip Charges Billed Separately? 

Other plumbers and HVAC companies will charge a single fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. As opposed to charging you for two services together, we have two individual fees. This enables us to price our services in the fairest achievable manner. 

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