What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you need heating, cooling or plumbing services from Neal Harris Service Experts, you will handle the trip charge and a diagnostic fee separately. Many companies you’ve called in the past might have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we feel we can offer 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 stop by your home. Occasionally called a service call fee, this charge is the initial rate for bringing our technicians, equipment and expertise to your door. If you would 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 pays for the services necessary to determine the root cause of a problem. For plumbing, this can consist of scoping. In HVAC repairs, it may involve examining the inside of your system. If you elect to use Neal Harris Service Experts for the repairs, the diagnostic fee would be rolled into the repair bill. That said, you will be 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 gets the plumber or HVAC technician to your home, while the diagnostic fee addresses all the work concerned with evaluating the problem and coming up with a plan for repairs. If you're paying for repairs, you shouldn't notice the diagnostic fee as it's rolled into the cost of the repairs.

Why Are Diagnostic Fees and Trip Charges Billed Individually?

Some other plumbers and HVAC companies charge one fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. As opposed to charging you for two services at once, we opt for two individual fees. This allows us to price our services in the fairest possible manner.