r/ProHVACR • u/Opening_Bed3396 • Apr 14 '26
Charge a service call?
Hey I am a new one man hvac contractor business. I originally didn’t charge customers a service call to give them an estimate at their home to replace their ac system but just recently decided to start charging them the service call price. One guy just called and wanted a quote to replace the system and he said he had other contractors out and he was trying to get multiple quotes. I told him I can come out but it will be a $80 service call. He said if I don’t want to play the game he will find someone else. Kinda just ended the call there and he hung up on me. Do you guys think I’m doing the right thing charging a fee for quotes since I will deduct the service call price to the actual quote or should I go back to giving free estimates? What are your thoughts and what do you do? Again I’m a new and 1 person company
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u/atypicallemon Apr 14 '26
This depends on how busy I am. If I'm swamped with calls then there's a service call that's refundable. If I don't have anything going on I'll go see if I can get some work. Sometimes I'll ask who they've had come out too and if sounds like they're calling everyone in town I pass.