When you want heating, cooling or plumbing services from BW/Cook Service Experts, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee separately. Many companies you’ve worked with in the past might have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we think we can offer even more value by separating them.
What Is a Trip Charge?
A trip charge covers the cost for a qualified plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Sometimes called a service call fee, this charge is the base rate for sending our technicians, equipment and expertise to your front door. If you want to cut out the trip charges in the future, you can explore signing up for one of our membership plans.
What Is a Diagnostic Fee?
The diagnostic fee pays for the services necessary to find the root of a problem. For plumbing, this can consist of scoping. For HVAC repairs, it may involve examining the inside of your system. If you elect to use BW/Cook Service Experts for the repairs, the diagnostic fee will be rolled into the repair costs. But bear in mind, you are charged for the diagnostic services alone if you do not.
What Are the Differences Between a Trip Fee and a Diagnostic Fee
Generally speaking, a trip fee gets the plumber or HVAC technician to your home, while the diagnostic fee addresses all the work concerned with evaluating the issue and working up a plan for repairs. If you're paying for repairs, you won't notice the diagnostic fee since it will be absorbed into the cost of the repairs.
Why Are Diagnostic Fees and Trip Charges Billed Individually?
Some other plumbers and HVAC companies will charge one fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. Instead of charging you for two services at the same time, we have two distinct fees. This allows us to price our services in the fairest possible manner.