Time-and-Materials vs. Flat Rate — What's the Difference?
I'm Omar Jacobo, and when I started Frosty's HVAC in 2018, one of the first decisions I made was to use flat-rate pricing. Here's why that matters to you as a homeowner.
Time-and-materials (hourly) pricing means the technician charges you for every hour on the job plus the cost of parts with markup. The problem? You don't know what you'll pay until the work is done. A "quick" repair that takes longer than expected — maybe a corroded bolt won't come loose, or a part doesn't fit right the first time — costs you more. The slower the tech works, the more you pay.
Flat-rate pricing means we quote you a fixed price for the job before we start. A capacitor replacement is $500 whether it takes 20 minutes or 2 hours. The risk of complications is on us, not you.
How Flat Rate Protects You
- No surprise bills. You approve the price before we touch anything. If we say $600 for a contactor, that's what you pay.
- No incentive to be slow. Hourly techs have zero reason to hurry. Our technicians earn the same whether the job takes 30 minutes or 90.
- Easy to compare. When you call Frosty's and we say "capacitor replacement is $500," you can call another flat-rate company and compare directly. Try doing that with "well, it depends on how long it takes."
- Frosty Club savings are clear. Basic members ($99/year) get 10% off every repair. Premium members ($300/year) get $500 off. Simple math when the price is fixed.
Our Most Common Flat-Rate Repairs
- Diagnostic fee: $85 (waived if you proceed with repair)
- Capacitor replacement: $500
- Contactor replacement: $600
- Condenser fan motor: $650-$2,800 (standard rescue motor vs. ECM/variable speed)
- Refrigerant leak repair + recharge: $350-$1,000 (we find the leak, fix it, then recharge — never "gas and go")
- Blower motor: $750-$1,500 (up to $2,800 for ECM)
- Compressor: $3,500-$5,000
These prices are the same in Farmers Branch, Coppell, Irving, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Grapevine. Same price on a Tuesday at 2 PM or a Saturday at 5 PM (Frosty Club members pay no overtime surcharge).
The Catch with "Free Diagnostics"
Some companies advertise a "free diagnostic" then inflate the repair price to make up for it. Our $85 diagnostic is transparent — it covers a full system inspection, and we waive it entirely if you proceed with the repair. What you see is what you pay. Read more about HVAC scams to watch out for in DFW.
Why This Matters
When your AC dies on a 105-degree Saturday, the last thing you need is an open-ended bill that grows by the hour. Flat-rate pricing lets you make an informed decision under pressure — and that's exactly when clear pricing matters most.
Call Frosty's at (469) 254-0548. We'll tell you what's wrong, what it costs, and let you decide. No games, no pressure. Licensed TACLA126718E, EPA 608 certified, 94 five-star Google reviews.
Related: How to Choose an HVAC Company in DFW | Join the Frosty Club | AC Repair Services