What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you want heating, cooling or plumbing services from Air Engineers Service Experts, you will handle the trip charge and a diagnostic fee independently. A number of companies you’ve worked with in the past may have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we feel we can offer even more value by keeping them separate.

What's a Trip Charge?

A trip charge covers the cost for a licensed plumber or HVAC technician to visit your home. Often called a service call fee, this payment is the initial rate for sending our technicians, equipment and expertise to your doorstep. If you'd like to cut out the trip charges in the future, you can explore joining one of our membership programs.

What Is a Diagnostic Fee?

The diagnostic fee is made up of the services required to find the root cause of a problem. In plumbing, this may consist of scoping. For HVAC repairs, it could involve taking a look at the inside of the cabinet. If you decide to use Air Engineers Service Experts for any repairs, the diagnostic fee would be rolled into the repair costs. However, you're charged for the diagnostic services alone if you choose not to.

What Is the Difference 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 covers all the work involved in assessing the issue and working up a plan for repairs. If you're paying for repairs, you won’t even notice the diagnostic fee as it will be included with 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. Rather than charging you for two services together, we have two separate fees. This allows us to price our services in the fairest available manner.

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