Diagnostic fee: definition, example, and why it matters
Common in auto repair, HVAC, and electrical work. Usually credited toward the repair if approved. Charging a diagnostic fee filters out tire-kickers and protects skilled labor time.
Short definition. A charge for the time spent identifying the problem before quoting a repair.
Category. Diagnostic fee is a invoicing term used by service businesses when billing customers.
How Glo Invoice handles it. Glo Invoice builds diagnostic fee into the invoice itself, so you don't track it on paper or in a spreadsheet.
Frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic fee mean?
Common in auto repair, HVAC, and electrical work. Usually credited toward the repair if approved. Charging a diagnostic fee filters out tire-kickers and protects skilled labor time.
Related terms
Service call fee — A flat fee charged just for showing up and diagnosing the problem.
Estimate — A non-binding written quote of the cost of a job, sent before work begins.
Labor rate — The hourly rate billed for skilled labor — distinct from a tech's actual wage.
