What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you are looking for heating, air conditioning or plumbing services from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee independently. Some companies you’ve worked with in the past might have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we believe we can offer you better value by separating the two.

What’s a Trip Charge?

A trip charge covers the cost for a licensed plumber or HVAC technician to stop by your home. Occasionally called a service call fee, this payment is the initial rate for sending our technicians, equipment and expertise to your front door.

What Is a Diagnostic Fee?

The diagnostic fee covers the services necessary to determine the source of a problem. With plumbing, this may consist of scoping. For HVAC repairs, it might involve taking a look at the inside of the cabinet. If you prefer to use Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the repairs, the diagnostic fee will be rolled into the repair costs. However, you’re charged for the diagnostic services alone if you do not.

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

In most cases, a trip fee gets the plumber or HVAC technician to your home, while the diagnostic fee addresses all the work involved in assessing the problem and working up a plan for repairs. If you’re paying for repairs, you shouldn’t notice the diagnostic fee as it’ll 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 the same time, we have two individual fees. This enables us to price our services in the fairest possible manner.