It is a surprise when you aren't expecting to pay for travel time. Since this was the norm where I came from in CA, I would have expected the charge.....wouldn't like it...
but would have known it was coming. This type of charge wasn't only something electricians did, plumbers, appliance repair people, also charged a travel fee.
Sorry you didn't know, but if you ever need a repair man again, it might be a question you want to have answered before engaging the services of the company.