How to Price Small Engine and Lawn Mower Repairs in 2026
A complete pricing guide for small engine repairs — lawn mowers, snow blowers, chainsaws, and string trimmers — with real-world cost breakdowns and seasonal strategies.
Small engine repair pricing has its own rules. The equipment is bulky, the work is seasonal, and customers compare your price to the cost of a new mower at Home Depot. You need prices that cover your time, account for seasonal demand swings, and still make the repair feel like a better deal than replacement. This guide covers real pricing for every common small engine repair.
Pricing Fundamentals for Small Engines
The Replacement Threshold
Small engine customers are more price-sensitive than power tool customers because replacement costs are lower. A new push mower is $300. A new string trimmer is $150. Your repair price needs to stay well below replacement cost — typically 30-40% of new for it to be an obvious yes.
Seasonal Demand and Pricing
Small engine repair follows a predictable cycle:
- Spring (March-May): Lawn mower rush. Demand exceeds capacity. You can charge full rates and should not discount.
- Summer (June-August): Steady flow of mowers, trimmers, and chainsaws. Standard pricing.
- Fall (September-November): Snow blower and leaf blower prep. Second demand peak.
- Winter (December-February): Slowest season. Offer tune-up specials to fill the bench.
Do not lower prices in the busy season. Raise them if anything. When you have a 3-week backlog in April, higher prices filter out low-value work and reward loyal customers who book early.
Common Lawn Mower Repair Prices
Push Mowers (Walk-Behind)
| Repair | Parts Cost | Retail Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring tune-up (oil, plug, filter, blade sharpen) | $12-20 | $65-85 | Your bread and butter |
| Blade sharpening only | $0 | $15-25 | High margin, 10-minute job |
| Carburetor clean/rebuild | $8-20 | $55-85 | Most common repair |
| Carburetor replacement | $20-45 | $75-120 | When cleaning does not fix it |
| Pull cord/recoil starter | $8-15 | $40-65 | Easy and fast |
| Drive cable replacement | $10-20 | $50-75 | Self-propelled models only |
| Engine won't start diagnostic | — | $35-50 | Applied to repair cost |
| Deck cleaning and undercarriage | $0 | $25-40 | Upsell at every tune-up |
Riding Mowers and Lawn Tractors
| Repair | Parts Cost | Retail Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full tune-up (oil, filters, plugs, blades) | $30-50 | $125-175 | Annual service |
| Blade replacement (set) | $25-50 | $65-100 | Sharpen or replace based on condition |
| Belt replacement (deck or drive) | $20-45 | $75-130 | Common failure, labor-intensive |
| Battery replacement | $30-60 | $65-100 | Include terminal cleaning |
| Starter motor | $40-80 | $120-180 | |
| Carburetor service | $15-30 | $85-130 | More complex than push mowers |
| Transmission/hydrostatic | $80-200+ | $250-500+ | Quote case by case |
| Electrical diagnosis | — | $50-75 | Safety switches, wiring, solenoid |
Snow Blower Repair Prices
| Repair | Parts Cost | Retail Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-season tune-up | $15-25 | $75-100 | Oil, plug, belts inspection, shear pins |
| Auger belt replacement | $12-25 | $55-85 | |
| Shear pin replacement (set) | $5-10 | $25-40 | Fast job, good margin |
| Carburetor service | $10-25 | $65-95 | Same as mower carb work |
| Pull cord/recoil | $8-15 | $40-60 | |
| Impeller bearing | $15-30 | $65-100 | Noisy impeller is the giveaway |
| Friction wheel/drive disc | $15-25 | $60-90 | |
| Electric start repair | $20-40 | $75-120 |
Chainsaw Repair Prices
| Repair | Parts Cost | Retail Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain sharpening | $0 | $10-15 | Highest margin job in the shop |
| Chain and bar service | $15-30 | $45-70 | New chain + bar cleaning + tensioner check |
| Carburetor tune/rebuild | $8-20 | $55-85 | |
| Bar and chain replacement | $25-50 | $55-85 | Parts at cost markup, minimal labor |
| Clutch replacement | $20-40 | $65-100 | |
| Fuel line replacement | $5-10 | $35-55 | Often bundled with carb work |
| Complete saw service | $20-30 | $85-120 | Clean, sharpen, carb, filters, plug |
String Trimmer and Blower Prices
| Repair | Parts Cost | Retail Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carburetor clean | $5-10 | $40-60 | Most common trimmer repair |
| Fuel line replacement | $5-8 | $30-45 | |
| Clutch service | $10-20 | $45-65 | |
| Head/gearbox service | $10-25 | $40-70 | Trimmer-specific |
| Blower impeller | $15-30 | $55-80 | |
| Complete service | $10-15 | $55-75 | Carb, filters, plug, fuel lines |
Setting Your Labor Rate
Small engine labor rates typically run $55-80/hour for independent shops. Dealer-authorized service centers charge $75-100+.
Calculate your rate the same way as any repair shop:
Hourly rate = (Annual overhead ÷ Billable hours) + Target profit per hour
A small engine shop with one technician:
- Overhead: $50,000-65,000/year
- Billable hours: ~1,400 (accounting for seasonal slow periods)
- Overhead per hour: $36-46
- Profit target: $20-30/hour
- Labor rate: $56-76/hour
Flat Rate vs. Hourly
Flat rate your tune-ups and common repairs. These are predictable, and customers like knowing the price upfront. Post your tune-up prices on your website and social media — this is a competitive advantage.
Hourly rate your unusual repairs. Anything you have not done before or cannot predict gets time and materials pricing with a diagnostic fee.
Parts Markup Strategy
Standard markup for small engine parts is 50-70% over wholesale.
- Filters, plugs, and consumables: 60-70% markup. These are cheap and high-margin.
- Carburetors and assemblies: 50-60% markup. Higher ticket items.
- OEM vs. aftermarket: Offer both when available. OEM at standard markup, aftermarket at a slightly higher markup percentage (your cost is lower, but the customer still sees value).
Seasonal Pricing Strategy
Spring Rush (Peak Season)
- Charge full price — no discounts
- Add a rush fee ($20-30) for customers who need it back within 48 hours
- Push tune-ups booked before April at a modest early-bird discount ($10 off)
- Prioritize profitable work — a riding mower tune-up at $150 is better use of your bench than a $25 blade sharpening
Winter Slow Season
- Offer a winter tune-up special (10-15% off) to fill the bench
- Bundle services: "Bring in your mower AND snow blower, save $20"
- Reach out to regular customers with a seasonal text or email
Communicating Prices to Customers
Post Your Common Prices
Put your tune-up and common repair prices on your website, Google Business Profile, and social media. Customers searching "lawn mower tune-up cost" find you directly.
The Replacement Conversation
When a repair exceeds 40% of replacement cost, tell the customer. "A new carburetor and drive cable would be $140. A comparable new mower is $300. The repair makes sense, but I want you to know the math."
Honesty builds trust. The customer who buys a new mower today brings it to you for tune-ups for the next five years.
How Bench Handles Small Engine Pricing
- Tool-type pricing. Set different labor rates for push mowers, riding mowers, chainsaws, and snow blowers. Each category gets its own pricing structure.
- Seasonal visibility. See all repairs by type and date. Track your spring rush volume year over year.
- Parts markup. Set a default markup percentage and Bench calculates retail automatically.
- Estimates via text. Send the customer a quote by SMS. They approve with one tap.
- Storage tracking. For seasonal equipment left after the repair, Bench tracks storage duration and fees automatically.
Review Your Prices Twice a Year
Parts costs change. Your skills improve. Your overhead shifts. Review pricing every spring (before the rush) and every fall (before snow blower season). A well-priced shop stays profitable through every season.