Understanding
Diagnosting Fee's
Air Conditioning & Heating Diagnostic Fee Adds Transparency in Pricing
A common question we receive is, “why do you charge a Diagnostic Fee?”
Let's dive deeper into this. A Diagnostic Fee is simply the break-even cost we have to come out and diagnose any problem you may be having with your residential or light commercial air conditioning and heating system. The reason we itemize a diagnostic fee on your bill is so we can be transparent about what the true costs are. Many HVAC operators hide this fee by charging more for parts or labor. See more questions to ask when hiring a HVAC contractor.
What Does the Diagnostic Fee Include?
We load our truck with common parts, diagnostic tools, and equipment and bring our service to your door. As part of the diagnostic fee, we include the average time it takes to get to your home or office, employee salaries, gas, auto insurance, liability insurance, and the amount of time to evaluate the problem.
Why Break out the Diagnostic Fee?
Simply put, we want our customers to know what they are getting for their money. And, we feel it is a more ethical way to operate by spelling out what it costs for us to drive to your home or business and to assess the problem you are having. Having a diagnostic fee means there are no hidden fees.
What Is a Benefit of Having a Diagnostic Fee?
A diagnostic fee helps us be efficient with our time and yours. This is also why we put such an emphasis on continuing education and training. In this way, we can expertly diagnose any problem with your air conditioning or heating system, offer you options, and get you fixed up right away.
Is It Possible to Waive the Diagnostic Fee?
Yes. If you sign up for our Preventative Protection Plan (Gold & Platinum Plans only), we automatically waive the diagnostic fee. When our customers regularly maintain their HVAC system in the spring and the fall, we are often able to catch any mechanical issues before they become a big problem. This greatly minimizes the chances of experiencing system failures (especially not cooling or not heating) in the hottest and coldest months; when extreme temperatures are the most uncomfortable for all involved and the demand for repairs are the highest.
We Can Help
Some HVAC contractors might call their diagnostic fee a service call or a trip fee. A reputable HVAC contractor should be able to explain an itemized statement and tell you what each item is when you ask them about it. If you’re in the market for straightforward pricing and expert advice to repair or maintain your air conditioning and heating system, give American Air Heating & Cooling a call at 509-525-1339 . Find out what makes us different from other HVAC contractors in Walla Walla Valley and surrounding areas.