What Are Trip Charges and Diagnostic Fees?

When you are looking for heating, air conditioning or plumbing services from Rob's Albertan Service Experts, you will pay a trip charge and a diagnostic fee separately. Many companies you’ve hired in the past might have combined the trip charge and diagnostic fee, but we believe we can provide you with greater value by separating the two. 

What Is a Trip Charge? 

A trip charge includes the cost for a licensed plumber or HVAC technician to come to your home. Often called a service call fee, this payment is the base rate for sending our technicians, equipment and expertise to your door. If you would like to cut out the trip charges in the future, you can explore signing up for one of our membership programs. 

What Is a Diagnostic Fee? 

The diagnostic fee is made up of the services needed to locate the source of a problem. For plumbing, this may consist of scoping. In HVAC repairs, it could involve examining the inside of the cabinet. If you decide to use Rob's Albertan Service Experts for the repairs, the diagnostic fee would be rolled into the repair costs. That said, 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 covers sending the plumber or HVAC technician to your property, while the diagnostic fee encompasses all the work involved in evaluating the issue and working up a plan for repairs. If you pay for repairs, you won’t notice the diagnostic fee since it’ll be absorbed into the cost of the repairs. 

Why Are Diagnostic Fees and Trip Charges Billed Separately? 

Some other plumbers and HVAC companies are going to charge one single fee for both the trip and the diagnostics. Rather than charging you for two services at the same time, we prefer two separate fees. This enables us to price our services in the fairest achievable manner.