What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you are looking for heating, cooling or plumbing services from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee independently. Many companies you’ve hired in the past most likely combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we feel we can provide you with even more value by keeping them separate.

What Is a Trip Charge?

A trip charge handles the cost for a certified plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Occasionally called a service call fee, this payment is the base rate for sending our technicians, equipment and expertise to your door. If you want to cut out the trip charges in the future, you can explore registering for one of our membership plans.

What Is a Diagnostic Fee?

The diagnostic fee is made up of the services needed to locate the root cause of a problem. For plumbing, this can consist of scoping. During HVAC repairs, it could involve examining the inside of your unit. If you decide to use Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the repairs, the diagnostic fee will be rolled into the repair bill. However, you are charged for the diagnostic services alone if you do not.

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

Generally speaking, a trip fee covers sending the plumber or HVAC technician to your residence, while the diagnostic fee encompasses all the work concerned with assessing the issue and working up a plan for repairs. If you're paying for repairs, you won’t even notice the diagnostic fee because 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 single fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. As opposed to charging you for two services at the same time, we opt for two distinct fees. This helps us to price our services in the fairest possible manner.