What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you need heating, cooling or plumbing services from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, you will handle the trip charge and a diagnostic fee individually. Many companies you’ve called in the past most likely combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we believe we can offer you greater value by separating them.

What Exactly Is a Trip Charge?

A trip charge covers the cost for a licensed plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Sometimes called a service call fee, this payment is the standard rate for bringing our technicians, equipment and expertise to your door. If you would like to avoid trip charges in the future, you can explore signing up for one of our membership programs.

What Is a Diagnostic Fee?

The diagnostic fee is made up of the services needed to find the root of a problem. For plumbing, this could be comprised of scoping. In HVAC repairs, it might involve taking a look at the inside of your unit. If you decide to use Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for any repairs, the diagnostic fee will be rolled into the repair costs. But bear in mind, you are charged for the diagnostic services alone if you do not.

What Are the Differences Between a Trip Fee and a Diagnostic Fee

In general, a trip fee includes sending the plumber or HVAC technician to your home, while the diagnostic fee addresses all the work related to evaluating the issue and working up a plan for repairs. If you pay for repairs, you won’t even notice the diagnostic fee since it will be absorbed into the cost of the repairs.

Why Are Diagnostic Fees and Trip Charges Billed Separately?

Other plumbers and HVAC companies are going to charge one fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. Instead of charging you for two services at once, we prefer two individual fees. This allows us to price our services in the fairest possible manner.