What does it mean when a company charges a flat rate?...Do I pay more?...How are the prices determined?

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A growing number of progressive contractors use “flat rate pricing” today. Flat rate pricing means you pay a fixed flat rate for a repair no matter how long the technician takes to complete the task. Flat rate pricing was developed so that homeowners would know the cost upfront, before work begins. Flat rate eliminates unpleasant surprises that come from higher than expected bills after the work has been performed.

 

A Few Facts

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• Flat rate pricing is commonly used in many service industries today such as automotive repair, plumber’s, heating, electrician’s, office copiers etc.

• In focus groups and surveys, consumers express a preference for flat rate pricing over time and materials charges. With flat rate they do not need to worry that a technician might pad the bill by taking his time if work is slow.

• Flat rate prices come from a standard, national flat rate price book. The repair times are based on national averages so that you will pay the same price as the neighbor who also chose American Air Heating & Cooling  for the same repair, no matter how long the repair takes.

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Does flat rate save money?

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Flat rate pricing repair costs are designed to be the same as what you would pay if charged an hourly labor rate, plus materials. There are some overhead savings under flat rate because flat rate simplified paperwork and administration, overhead is less. These savings are passed on to you.

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Why is flat rate sometimes called repair insurance?

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Flat rate can save you a lot of money when a repair takes longer than expected due to you are given an upfront price. Flat rate pricing acts like an insurance policy, eliminating unpleasant surprises.

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How can contractors afford to offer flat rate?

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Frankly, contractors have no choice if they want to keep up in the marketplace. Consumers prefer flat rate, so more and more contractors have begun to offer it. Usually, flat rate is offered by more progressive contractors who hire better quality technicians and train them well.

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What am I paying per hour?

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With flat rate you are no longer paying by the hour. Parts, labor, and overhead are all bundled into a single fixed price that will not vary. Hourly rates no more apply than they would to the purchase of a product off the store shelf or a menu item at your favorite restaurant.

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If you have more questions about FLAT RATE PRICING, please do not hesitate to give us a call 509-525-1339