How Much Does Lawn Mower Repair Cost?
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When a lawn mower is on the fritz, homeowners may want to consider investing in lawn mower repair instead of purchasing a new mower. Lawn mower repair costs between $40 and $90, or $60 on average.
Highlights
- Lawn mower repairs typically cost between $40 and $90, with the national average cost coming in at around $60.
- The exact cost to repair a lawn mower will depend on the type of mower, the type and location of the repair, the experience level of the tradesperson, and the choice between repairing and replacing a mower.
- A lawn mower may require repairs if it has an inoperable or vibrating engine, oil leaks, inconsistent performance; is making unusual noises; has a smoking exhaust pipe; or is consuming more gas and oil than normal.
- A skilled DIYer who is comfortable working with engines may be able to perform basic lawn mower repairs themselves. However, homeowners are advised to hire a professional when there are more serious issues or when they aren’t sure what they’re doing.
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A lawn mower is a necessary piece of any home’s lawn-care maintenance equipment. This machine is designed to cut the lawn to a specified length, making the yard more appealing for the homeowner, residents, and any guests. Keeping the grass trimmed throughout the year also keeps weeds in check, prevents insect infestations, encourages improved root growth, and helps the lawn dry faster, reducing the risk of anyone slipping on wet grass.
So when the lawn mower isn’t working properly, it’s necessary for a homeowner to repair the machine as soon as possible to avoid dealing with an overgrown lawn or needing to pay professional lawn mowing costs. Experienced DIYers can handle some lawn mower repairs, but most people will need to hire a lawn mower repair professional to fix the machine. According to HomeGuide, repairs typically cost $40 to $90, though the average cost is about $60. Homeowners can use this guide to learn more about lawn mower repair cost factors to help determine whether the mower should be repaired or simply replaced with a new model.
Factors in Calculating Lawn Mower Repair Cost
Most lawn mower repairs cost just $40 to $90, but the cost of the repairs can vary depending on several factors, including the mower type, repair type, repair location, and tradesperson experience. Homeowners can find out more about lawn mower repair cost factors below to get a better idea of the budget required for lawn mower repair.
Mower Type
There are four common types of lawn mowers that are frequently used to maintain yards of various sizes, including push mowers, reel mowers, riding mowers, and self-propelled mowers.
- Push mowers rely on a gas engine to drive the cutting blades, but the user still provides the physical power to move the lawn mower over the grass. These machines weigh about 60 pounds, and repairs typically cost about $25 to $70.
- Reel mowers are completely manual. The user pushes the mower from behind, turning the wheels of the mower, which in turn drives the rotary pusher and cutting blades through the grass. These mowers have a basic design that can typically be repaired for about $10 to $50.
- Riding mowers are made for large yards and user convenience. The user can sit up on the mower, relying on the powerful engine and transmission to drive the movement of the mower as well as the rotation of the cutting blades. The repairs for riding mowers cost the most of any lawn mower type, so users should expect to pay about $100 to $250 on average.
- Self-propelled mowers work similarly to push mowers, except that they have a transmission to drive the wheels forward with minimal effort required by the user. This feature is great for large yards, but it can also increase the cost of repairs. Homeowners can expect to pay about $25 to $100 for self-propelled lawn mower repairs.
| Lawn Mower Types | Average Cost of Repairs |
| Push | $25 to $70 |
| Reel | $10 to $50 |
| Riding | $100 to $250 |
| Self-propelled | $25 to $100 |
Repair Type
A range of issues could cause the lawn mower to malfunction. The cost for lawn mower repair depends heavily on the type of repair required to get the mower functioning properly again. Common repair types include replacing the air filter, replacing the fuel filter, changing the oil, sharpening the lawn mower blades, replacing the spark plugs, and tuning up the engine.
Severe problems with the lawn mower can lead to high repair costs that greatly exceed the average cost of common lawn mower repairs. For instance, while a simple carburetor cleaning may cost between $36 and $50, it can cost as much as $500 to $900 for a professional to repair the crankshaft of the mower. Homeowners can troubleshoot the problem and speak to a repair professional to get an estimate based on the type of repair.
Repair Location
A lawn mower doesn’t have the same convenient mobility as a car or truck, so when something goes wrong with the machine, the user needs to either pay for a repair technician to come to the home or load it up into a car or truck to take to the repair shop. If the repair technician needs to come out to the home, the homeowners can expect to pay a higher price for the repairs.
Homeowners can also expect the cost of lawn mower repairs to increase during the busy times of the year when the demand for this service is at its highest. With this in mind, it’s recommended that the homeowner take the lawn mower in for annual servicing during the early spring or late fall months, when the demand is lower. Choosing the right time of the year for service can help homeowners get a lower price for any required repairs.
Tradesperson Experience
Another factor that can affect the cost of the lawn mower repair is the experience of the repair professional. Repair technicians who are relatively new to the field will often charge less for their services, so if the lawn mower needs only a minor fix, like a spark plug replacement, it could be advantageous to seek out a less experienced tradesperson.
However, if the lawn mower has a more serious issue, it may be in the homeowner’s best interest to pay a little more, knowing that the professional repair technician has a significant amount of experience dealing with small-engine repairs. Before hiring a lawn mower repair professional, homeowners are advised to spend some time researching local repair companies and individual contractors.
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Repair vs. Replacement
Minor lawn mower repairs are often worth the expense to get the machine up and running again, but when there is a serious issue, it may be a better idea for a homeowner to invest in a replacement lawn mower.
- Repairs are effective options for dealing with relatively simple issues, such as cleaning the carburetor, sharpening the lawn mower blades, changing the oil, replacing the spark plugs, changing the air filter, replacing the fuel filter, or tuning up the engine.
- Replacement becomes a serious option when there is a significant problem with the lawn mower, such as a cracked crankshaft, transmission failure, blown head gasket, or blown engine. In this case, the homeowner will want to look into the best lawn mowers that fit within their budget.
Before investing in a new mower from one of the best lawn mower brands, homeowners are advised to determine the cause of the problem so they can decide on the best option for dealing with the lawn mower. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that while a new lawn mower ranges in cost from $160 to $3,000, many lawn mower repairs can be completed for about $40 to $90. Even the best cheap lawn mowers will typically cost more than that.
Cost by Type of Repair
The cost to repair a lawn mower depends heavily on the type of repair. Fixing something minor or performing a regular tune-up won’t typically cost a lot, but if the head gasket is blown or the transmission requires replacement, the repair cost could be significantly higher. Homeowners are encouraged to find out the average cost of common lawn mower repairs near them to ensure the repair company is providing a service at a fair rate. To do so, they can call several lawn mower repair companies in their area and compare quotes. Below are the national average costs of lawn mower repair based on type.
| Lawn Mower Repair Type | Average Cost |
| Blade sharpening | $50 to $70 |
| Carburetor cleaning | $36 to $50 |
| Crankshaft repair | $500 to $900 |
| Head gasket | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Motor repair | $65 to $1,000 |
| Rotary pusher repair | $40 |
| Transmission replacement or overhaul | $200 to $500 |
| Tune-up | $10 to $250 |
Blade Sharpening
Lawn mowers are made for cutting through tough grass, but if the blades are dull, the mower may struggle to cut areas of the lawn with thicker patches of grass. This can overwork the engine, leading to overheating and excessive fuel consumption, so it’s recommended that homeowners have their lawn mower blades sharpened at least once a year.
The ideal time for lawn mower blade sharpening is just before the first mow of the season. This allows the user to get the most out of the mower before it is put into storage at the end of the season. Lawn mower blade sharpening typically costs about $50 to $70.
Carburetor Cleaning
The carburetor is the part of the lawn mower that is responsible for mixing the air and gasoline. If this part is dirty or not operating properly, the user may notice black smoke coming from the lawn mower exhaust. This typically occurs when the carburetor introduces a higher percentage of gasoline into the fuel mixture.
Lawn mower repair professionals will generally charge about $36 to $50 for lawn mower carburetor cleaning. If the problem is not resolved, it can lead the engine to backfire, overheat, or have difficulty starting. Additionally, the carburetor may fail, forcing the user either to invest in a new mower or pay for replacement parts and repair services to replace the carburetor.
Crankshaft Repair
Crankshafts are one of the more costly parts of a lawn mower to repair, ranging from $500 to $900. A crankshaft is intended to act as a bridge between the pistons and the flywheel. If the crankshaft is cracked, bent, or warped, the lawn mower will have a hard time starting.
Once it is started, if the crankshaft is broken, the mower may not be able to drive the cutting blades, and it could also overheat, causing the engine to shut down. This is because the crankshaft uses the up-and-down movement of the pistons to crank the flywheel in a circular motion, which in turn powers the fan belt and the transmission.
Head Gasket
A blown head gasket in a riding mower is often not worth the investment to repair given that it can cost between $1,200 and $3,000. If a riding lawn mower has a blown head gasket, it’s recommended that homeowners invest in a new lawn mower instead of paying to repair the existing one. A mower can still operate with a blown gasket, as long as the gasket is still able to facilitate enough compression within the system. However, the problem will get worse the longer it is left unresolved, leading to low power output, low compression, oil leaks, and excessive smoke from the exhaust; in some cases a blown gasket may prevent the engine from starting at all.
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Motor Repair
Issues with the lawn mower motor can range in severity. Minor problems may cost only about $65 to fix, but if the mower needs a full engine replacement, it can cost more than $1,000. The engine is easily one of the most important parts of the lawn mower. This component is responsible for producing the power necessary to drive the cutting blades.
In self-propelled and riding mowers, the engine also provides the force needed to propel the mower forward, instead of relying on the physical strength of the user. With this in mind, if the user notices any issues with the motor, it’s recommended that they speak to a repair professional to determine if it is worth it to repair the motor or if it would be best to invest in a new mower.
Rotary Pusher Repair
Not every homeowner has a mower with a gas engine. Some people still rely on basic reel mowers with a simple rotary drum and cutting blades to tackle small lawns. However, if the rotary pusher cracks, warps, bends, or otherwise becomes damaged, the lawn mower cannot function properly.
Users will want to take the lawn mower to a local repair company to determine if the rotary pusher can be repaired or if it will need to be replaced. Typically, homeowners can expect to pay about $40 for rotary pusher repairs. This low cost is one of the reasons some individuals prefer basic reel mowers.
Transmission Replacement or Overhaul
The transmission is an important part of the lawn mower and can cost between $200 and $500 to replace or overhaul. Push mowers and reel mowers don’t have transmissions, but self-propelled mowers and riding mowers rely on transmission systems to power the wheels and drive the mower forward.
If the transmission is having issues, such as grinding gears or starting and stopping during operation, or if the wheels are not rotating with the pulley, the transmission may need to be replaced or overhauled. Overhauling a transmission means a professional will need to remove, disassemble, and rebuild the transmission, taking time to inspect each part for wear or damage. Any parts that are damaged or that show substantial wear will need to be replaced with new parts when the transmission is being rebuilt.
Tune-Up
One of the best tips for homeowners to keep a lawn mower in working order is to take it into a repair shop or have a professional come out to the home to tune it up. This service is an important preventive measure to help ensure the lawn mower continues to function properly for years to come. Typically, users will spend about $130 on average for a thorough lawn mower tune-up.
However, DIYers may be able to get away with spending as little as $10, while it can cost up to $250 to have a professional tune up a heavy-duty residential riding mower. The cost of the service varies depending on the type of mower, the condition of the mower, and the local labor rates.
Do I Need Lawn Mower Repair?
Lawn mowers and other power equipment for the yard will typically start to show signs of wear before a problem occurs, such as an oil leak, vibrating engine, or smoking exhaust. Similarly, if the average job completion time starts to steadily increase, this can be an indication that the mower isn’t operating as efficiently as it once was.
Inoperable or Vibrating Engine
The clearest sign that there is an issue is if the lawn mower won’t start or if the lawn mower keeps dying. While this may be due to something as simple as low fuel levels, it could also indicate a problem with the spark plugs. Experienced DIYers can try to replace the spark plugs to resolve this issue, but if this doesn’t work, it’s recommended that they take the mower to a lawn mower repair professional.
Similarly, excessive vibration could indicate that the lawn mower has a bent or loose part that needs to be repaired. It could also be a sign that the engine is on its last life, so homeowners are advised to speak to a repair professional to find out if the mower can be repaired.
Oil Leaks
Oil is intended to keep the various parts of the lawn mower properly lubricated. This helps the components move and reduces the heat caused by friction. If the lawn mower does not have enough oil, the moving p