What Should an HVAC Diagnostic Include, and What Should It Cost?
The diagnostic fee is the first number you see when you call an HVAC company, and it is where a lot of people get surprised. Some companies charge a low fee and make it up on the repair. Others will not tell you the repair price until they have already been on the roof. Here is what a good diagnostic should include, and how to compare quotes.
What a diagnostic should include
- A visual inspection of the indoor and outdoor units.
- Electrical testing: capacitor, contactor, fan motors, and the control circuit.
- Checking airflow, including the filter, blower, and coil.
- Checking refrigerant pressures and temperatures when the symptom points that way.
- A plain-language explanation of what is wrong and what it takes to fix it.
Questions to ask before anyone comes out
- What is the diagnostic fee, and is it waived if I approve the repair?
- Is the repair priced from a published list, or quoted on the spot?
- Is there an extra charge for evenings or weekends?
- Will I get the price in writing before work starts?
How we do it
Our diagnostic is a flat $89. If you approve the repair, the $89 is waived. The repair price comes from our published price book, so it is the same price whoever answers the phone. After-hours calls, meaning after 6pm on weekdays and all day on weekends, carry a flat $95 added to the visit, and we tell you that up front.
We would rather you hear the number from us than be surprised by it on the invoice. If you have a quote from another company and want a second opinion, we are glad to take a look.
Need it looked at? Call 940-227-9916 or book online. Our prices are published so you know the number before we start.