This and similar questions about the cost of service are asked every day by concerned customers. What the customer may not realize is that the technician must earn nearly all of his income during the brief time he is in the home. By and large, the rest of his time is unproductive as far as income is concerned. That unproductive time can be traveling to and from the service calls, standing at parts warehouses waiting for parts, or showing up to a service call when no one was there to meet him.

Actually, the technician’s salary is a small part of the expense in making the call. His charge or the profit on the repair parts used must cover the cost of his training, service vehicle and its maintenance, his tools and test equipment, cost of the parts themselves, cost of maintaining an office with office personnel, lights, heating/cooling, telephone, advertising, rent, insurance, taxes, and employee benefits. Some of these are what we call “hidden” costs. This accounts for the many varied rates that are seen from company to company. Some have more overhead than others therefore must charge more for their service.

A good rule of thumb is to compare service call costs between 3 different companies before choosing one. Good service just “doesn’t” happen and good technicians aren’t just born! It takes a substantial capital investment and a host of other expenses. Also – cheaper isn’t always better, if you find a service company that you can TRUST, then it is worth the cost to have them as your servicing company.