What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you want heating, cooling or plumbing services from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee individually. Some companies you’ve worked with in the past most likely combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we feel we can offer you greater value by keeping them separate. 

What Exactly Is a Trip Charge? 

A trip charge handles the cost for a certified plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Often called a service call fee, this charge is the base rate for delivering our technicians, equipment and expertise to your front door.

What Is a Diagnostic Fee? 

The diagnostic fee pays for the services required to find the source of a problem. With plumbing, this can consist of scoping. During HVAC repairs, it may involve inspecting the inside of the cabinet. If you prefer to use Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for any repairs, the diagnostic fee will be rolled into the repair costs. That said, you will be charged for the diagnostic services alone if you do not. 

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

In general, a trip fee gets the plumber or HVAC technician to your home, while the diagnostic fee covers all the work involved in assessing the problem and figuring out a plan for repairs. If you are 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 Individually? 

Some other plumbers and HVAC companies charge one single fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. Rather than charging you for two services at once, we prefer two separate fees. This enables us to price our services in the fairest achievable manner.