Call Out Fee Plus Air Con Service

Just got stung $440 for a call out plus a service on aircon unit, also had a quick look at our heating unit. Was just under 1 hours work. Call out fee quoted on phone was 185. In Melbourne south east. Is that over the top or the going rate?

 

No parts. Also the bill is not itemised, seems very steep. Will need to give their office a call.

 

I recently got one and the statement read

Callout
Parts
Apprentice

So i paid for the tradesman,plus extra for the apprentice.The part was a $5 fuse,the bill was $330 and took 10 minutes.

 

This prompted me to look through my records at the last time I had an a/c serviced - it was $165 inc GST.

 

Thanks for the replies folks. Called the office It was $185 call out fee (and he quickly checked the heating which was the original problem but seemed to have fixed itself so he didn't do any work on it) plus $255 to service air con. Stupidly expensive

 

Our aircon broke down 5th december, under warranty. We called the 6th december. Today after becoming irate, one month later, we finally spoke to someone who will come tomorrow ridiculous.

Compare this to a fridge technician last week - came out and we woke to find the fridge was in fact cold. He showed us what was wrong, said he will call it a cancelled job, and didn't charge a dime. Quote was $180 call out, plus $40 per 15 mins + parts, or something like that.

 

That's extortion!! $160 was my last service bill (In Perth, ducted a/c).
I'd call back anon. and ask them what their hourly rate is..

 

I'm in Melbourne and a basic service call for the ducted heating costs $150 base charge including checking for carbon monoxide.

I imagine their air con service is simliar.

 

that is pricy.
you could buy a portable AC for that price and get one new AC fixed installed 600 flat.

 

When I grow up I want to install A/Cs.
Licence to print money in Qld.

On several occasions I have been told an IP A/C needs replacing, can't be fixed when rodents have chewed a cable, gekos get to the switch board or something similar. No proper diagnosis, I usually get a second opinion if the advice is that the unit needs replacing because often it doesn't.
Service charges are hit and miss, find someone reliable, who turns up on time and seem to doesn't overcharge and you know you have struck gold.

 

@Ian87 I'd strongly suggest negotiating that fee as it's triple what it should be.

To put it into contrast I had a new AC installed last week for $450. That's labour, parts, new wiring to board, iso switch, mounting pads and refrigerant.

 

A/C is a industry with peak demand at this time of year and a lack of young starters resulting in rising prices. Prices will vary. Take care of low prices too. Are they currently licensed AND insured ? Sole traders won't have workers comp. Just because the invoice has an ABN and a business name doesn't mean they have workers comp. There are stacks of illegal installers incl sparkies or just unlicensed. Supply of refrigerant is supposed to be limited to licensed buyers but there are ways. New units come pre-charged so there is no gas needed if its a short pipe run.

I have a mate who is a fridgy and he doesnt do domestic installs anymore as he reckons 9 out of 10 are dodgy and quote prices at $50 a hour or less.

 

And it depends on how old your A/C unit is.
Did it need a recharge?
If it uses the older gas, then there is an environmental levy which makes the old gas expensive

 

Sounds like you got air-conned.... I just paid $136, in qld though

 

185 call out fee....ok.