How Much Does Lawn Mower Repair Cost in 2025?

Most lawn mower repairs cost $75 to $550, and a typical tune-up costs $85 to $350. Sharpening a push mower blade is as cheap as $5, and replacing a riding mower’s transmission costs up to $2,500.

Most repair shops charge between $55 and $135 per hour for labor, but some repairmen charge as much as $170 per hour. Shops may have a minimum repair charge of $50 to $130. If you need the shop to pick up your mower, expect to pay an additional $30 to $100 for transportation.

Average Costs

Lawn Mower Repair	$75 – $550
Lawn Mower Tune-up	$85 – $350
Labor	$55 – $135 / hour
Diagnostic Fee	$35 – $90
Transportation Fee	$30 – $100

To provide accurate repair prices, we contacted lawn mower repair shops throughout the U.S. We also interviewed engine expert Jeff Yochum, lead maintenance tech at Ring Container Technologies. 

Cost By Type of Lawn Mower

The cost of repairs varies by the lawn mower type:

• Walk-Behind Vs. Riding Mowers
• Gas-Powered Mowers
• Electric Mowers

Walk-Behind Vs. Riding Lawn Mowers

Walk-Behind Repair	Riding Mower Repair
Average: $125 Typical Cost: $25 – $225 Low: $5 ᐧ High: $620	Average: $175 Typical Cost: $45 – $350 Low: $20 ᐧ High: $2,500

Mower Belt

Walk-Behind – New Belt	Riding Mower – New Belt
$35 – $75 / belt	$45 – $150 / belt

Most mower belts cost $35 to $150 installed. Self-propelled mowers have one belt for the drive system. Most riding mowers have two belts. One drives the pulleys and the other is for the transmission. 

Mower Blades 

Walk-behind Blades	Riding Mower Blades
Replace: $25 – $30 / blade Sharpen: $5 – $30 / blade	Replace: $30 – $35 / blade Sharpen: $15 – $30 / blade

Mower blade replacement usually costs $25 to $35 per blade and blade sharpening often isn’t much cheaper. Push mowers have one blade and self-propelleed mowers may have one or two. Most riding lawn mowers have two to three blades.

Tune-Ups

Walk-Behind – Tune-Up	Riding Mower – Tune-Up
$85 – $135 / Push Mower $105 – $200 / Self-Propelled	$175 – $300 / Lawn Tractor $200 – $350 / Zero-Turn

Riding mowers may also require these repairs:

• Deck spindle assembly: Helping mower blades spin, it’s a critical cutting component found on riding mowers. They typically last 5 to 10 years and cost $60 to $125 to replace. 

• Hydro flush: Flushing a hydrostatic transmission typically costs $140 to $320.

• Starter replacement: Expect installing a new riding mower starter to cost $95 – $250.

• Transmission replacement: Installing a new transmission typically costs $625 to $2,500. Yochum points out that hydrostatic transmissions are much pricer than gear-driven models.

Gas-Powered Lawn Mower Repairs

Carburetor (Carb) Replacement

Walk-Behind – New Carb	Riding Mower – New Carb
$45 – $100	$60 – $150

A new mower carb likely costs $45 to $150. Yochum has replaced many mower carbs. He told us it takes less than an hour and only requires inexpensive parts: a mower carb and carb gasket. 

Crankshaft / Head Gasket Repairs – Riding Lawn Mowers

If the mower’s crankshaft or head gasket breaks, Youchum says the engine probably needs a rebuild. Expect an engine rebuild to cost $860 to $2,700. 

Yochum explains, “The biggest cost difference is whether it’s a one-cylinder or two-cylinder engine. That holds for the cost of parts and labor.” 

However, it may be cheaper to replace the engine. Sometimes, even a new lawn mower costs less than an engine rebuild. It’s a lot of work, typically taking 12 to 16 hours.

Engine Replacement

Walk-Behind – New Engine	Riding Mower – New Engine
$260 – $800	$500 – $1,800

Expect to pay $260 to $1,800 to get a new mower engine installed. It takes two to three hours to replace a walk-behind engine and six hours to replace a riding mower engine.

Pull Cord Replacement – Walk-Behind Mowers

Walk-behind mowers sometimes need their pull cord replaced. Most mechanics charge $30 to $50 to install a new cord. If the recoil assembly also needs replacing, plan for an additional $20 to $90.

Electric Lawn Mower Repairs

Homeowners often pay a premium for electric mower repairs. Less repairmen are familiar with electric motors than gas engines, so labor can get pricey. 

Brush Replacement / Motor Rebuild

Walk-Behind – Motor Repair	Riding Mower – Motor Repair
$90 – $250	$100 – $400

Most electric motor repairs cost $90 to $400 and take an hour or less to complete.

Electric Motor Replacement

Walk-Behind Motor	Riding Mower Motor
$160 – $400	$370 – $1,200

Expect to pay $160 to $1,200 for a new mower motor. Replacing the motor usually takes one to two hours.

Cost By Location

Expect higher labor fees in expensive areas of the country. The number of repairmen and the local demand for repairs also impact price. Southern and Western cities tend to have lower-cost repairs, while the Northeast has the highest prices. 

City	Tune-Up Cost
Northeastern U.S.
Baltimore, MD	$90 – $315
Boston, MA	$105 – $395
Bridgeport, CT	$90 – $365
New York, NY	$125 – $465
Pittsburgh, PA	$80 –  $320
Midwest
Chicago, IL	$75 – $335
Detroit, MI	$80 – $330
Traverse City. MI	$115 – $305
Wichita, KS	$100 – $390
South
Austin, TX	$90 – $350
Brunswick, GA	$60 – $225
Jacksonville, FL	$70 – $270
Lakeland, FL	$55 – $280
Winston-Salem, NC	$110 – $305
West
Colorado Springs, CO	$70 – $275
Salt Lake City, UT	$80 – $265
San Francisco, CA	$85 – $315

Cheapest Repair Rates: Southern States

Small Town Southern Savings—Small towns throughout the South have affordable mower repair rates:

• Georgia: Tune-ups in Brunswick start at just $60, and their riding mower tune-ups range from $175 to $225. We also found affordable rates across the state in Valdosta. 

• Florida: Tune-ups start at just $55 in Bartow and $65 in Yulee and St. Augustine.

• Arkansas: In Eureka Springs, walk-behind tune-ups start at $60.

• Tennessee: We found tiny tune-up prices in Tennessee, starting at just $65 in New Market and Servierville. 

Frugal Floridian Pricing—With year-round mowing and ample repair shop competition, Floridians enjoy affordable lawn mower repairs:

• Polk County: They have some of the best rates. Walk-behind tune-ups start at just $55 and riding mower tune-ups start at $135. Small shops in Lakeland and Bartow offer the best savings. 

• Jacksonville: Rates range from $70 to $160 for walk-behinds and $125 to $270 for riding mowers.

• Miami: Dade county delivers walk-behind tune-ups starting around $80.

Most Costly Repairs: Northeastern States

Northeastern states have the priciest repairs:

• NYC: Most New Yorkers pay $125 to $190 for a walk-behind tune-up and $235 to $465 for a riding mower. It’s no surprise that prices are sky high, considering the lofty cost of living. Additionally, they have one of America’s highest tax rates, and the World Economic Forum rated NY as the world’s most expensive city to start a business.

• Boston: Bostonians are liable to get their red socks knocked off by Boston’s high lawn mower repair prices. Boston walk-behind tune-ups cost $105 to $215, and riding mower tune-ups can be as high as $395.

• Bridgeport: Service shops charge $90 to $215 for a walk-behind tune-up and up to $350 for riding mower service. 

Cost By Type of Repair

Repair	Typical Cost
Belt – Replace	$35 – $150
Blade – Sharpen	$5 – $30 / blade
Blade – Replace	$25 – $35 / bade
Carburetor – Replace	$45 – $150
Crankshaft – Engine Rebuild	$860 – $2,700
Electric Starter  – Replace	$95 – $250
Motor – Rebuild/Repair	$90 – $400
Pull Cord  – Replace	$30 – $50
Tires – Repair/Replace	$45 – $65
Transmission – Replace	$625 – $2,500
Tune-Up	$85 – $350

Cost By Type of Tune-up

Tune-up Type	Average Cost
Walk-Behind Mower – Basic	$100
Walk-Behind Mower – Full	$145
Riding Mower – Basic	$200
Riding Mower – Full	$300

The price paid for a tune-up depends on the tune-up type:

• Basic Vs. Full Tune-ups
• Walk-Behind Vs. Riding Mower Tune-ups
• Electric Mower Tune-ups

Basic Vs. Full Tune-Ups

Basic Mower Tune-Up	Full Mower Tune-Up
Average: $165 Typical Cost: $100 – $250 Low: $55 High: $315	Average: $230 Typical Cost: $160 – $305 Low: $85 High: $465

Basic Tune-Ups

Basic Tune-Up – Walk-Behind	Basic Tune-Up – Riding Mower
Average: $100 Typical Cost: $55 – $145	Average: $200 Typical Cost: $125 – $250

Basic tune-ups typically include:

• Air Filter Cleaning: You must clean the mower’s air filter to maximize fuel efficiency and engine performance. 

• Deck Cleaning: Grass clippings accumulate and clog if you don’t clean the underside of a lawn mower. 

• Fuel Additive: Additives help keep fuel fresh and engines healthy.

• Inspection: They examine belts, blades, fluids, and other mower parts. Afterward, they may suggest additional services. Some shops give valid advice, while others operate like a quick lube, suggesting certain services to everyone. Read the shop’s reviews and your mower manual to avoid getting ripped off.

• Lubrication: Bearing grease protects the mower’s metal parts. WD-40 prevents grass from sticking to the mower blades.

• Oil Change: Riding mowers typically take 1.5 to 2 quarts of engine oil. Most walk-behind mowers hold about 1/2 quart. We recommend changing the mower oil every 25 to 50 hours of operation. 

• New Spark Plugs: Walk-behind mowers have 1-cylinder engines and thus have one spark plug. Riding mowers may have 1 or 2 spark plugs. We recommend changing mower spark plugs annually or after 25 to 50 hours of use.

Full Tune-Ups

Full Walk-Behind Tune-Up	Full Riding Mower Tune-Up
Average: $145 Typical Cost: $115 – $240	Average: $300 Typical Cost: $185 – $350

Full tune-ups include everything in a basic tune-up, plus:

• Blade Sharpening: The blades are sharpened, aligned, and balanced.

• Carburetor Cleaning: A dirty carburetor is damaging, reducing fuel efficiency, hindering starting, and dilapidating engine power. Keeping the carb clean is one of the best ways to prevent costly repairs. 

• New Air Filter: Check the mower’s manual for recommended air filter replacement. Most say after around 50 hours of use, but some filters are made to last longer. If your mower faces dusty conditions, you’ll need a new air filter sooner. 

• New Fuel Filter: The fuel filter removes contaminants from gas before it reaches the mower’s carb. It protects the engine and prevents fuel system clogs. Yochum recommends replacing it annually.

• New Oil Filter: All gas-powered riding lawn mowers have oil filters to accommodate their larger engines, but most walk-behinds don’t have one. 

Walk-Behind Vs. Riding Mower Tune-Ups

Walk-Behind Tune-Up	Riding Mower Tune-Up
Average: $135 Typical Cost: $85 – $175 Low: $55 High: $240	Average: $250 Typical Cost: $185 – $350 Low: $120 High: $465

Walk-Behind Tune-Ups: Push Mower Vs. Self-Propelled

Push Mower Tune-Up	Self-Propelled Tune-Up
Average: $110 Typical Cost: $85 – $135 Low: $55 High: $175	Average: $150 Typical Cost: $105 – $200 Low: $55 High: $245

Riding Mower Tune-Ups: Lawn Tractor Vs. Zero-Turn 

Lawn Tractor Tune-Up	Zero-Turn Tune-Up
Average: $240 Typical Cost: $175 – $300 Low: $120 High: $350	Average: $285 Typical Cost: $200 – $350 Low: $150 High: $465

Electric Mower Tune-Ups

The proceeding tune-up prices are based on gas mowers, but electric mowers need less maintenance. Nonetheless, few shops offer separate electric mower pricing. You can buy a basic tune-up or perhaps purchase à la carte services.

Electric walk-behind mowers need the following maintenance:

• Clean the underdeck
• Sharpen blades
• Lubricate
• Clean the battery compartment 
• Clean the motor vents

Many homeowners care for electric walk-behinds at home. If you bring it to a shop, expect to pay $55 to $145 for a basic tune-up. 

Electric riding mowers need more maintenance than electric walk-behinds. A basic electric riding mower tune-up costs $125 to $250. 

DIY Vs. Professional Cost

DIY	Pro
Average: $40 Most Repairs: $10 – $230 Low: $0 ᐧ High: $1,300	Average: $180 Most Repairs: $75 – $550 Low: $5 ᐧ High: $2,500

Cheapest DIY repair: If you have a bench grinder, it’s basically free to sharpen your own blades, but pros charge $5 to $30 per blade.

Most expensive repair: A high-end hydrostatic riding mower transmission can cost as much as $1,300, but a pro charges up to $2,500 for a transmission replacement. 

DIY Vs. Pro Part Replacements

Replacement	Typical Cost
Belt	DIY: $5 – $55 Pro: $35 – $150
Blade	DIY: $10 – $20 Pro: $25 – $35
Carburetor	DIY: $13 – $90 Pro: $45 – $115
Motor	DIY: $50 – $800 Pro: $370 – $1,200
Electric Starter	DIY: $50 – $200 Pro: $95 – $250
Engine	DIY: $150 – $1,000 Pro: $260 – $1,400
Pull Cord	DIY: $4 – $10 Pro: $30 – $50
Transmission	DIY: $175 – $1,300 Pro: $625 to $2,500

DIY part replacement is cheaper than hiring a pro if you have the tools and mechanical know-how. Otherwise, specialty tools cost $10 to $140, and repair mistakes may break the mower’s moving parts. 

Most shops charge $55 to $135 per hour for labor, but some small engine mechanics make as much as $170 an hour.

Cost of Lawn Mower Parts

Mower Part	Typical Cost
Blade	$15 – $30
Brush Kit	$7 – $100
Carburetor	$10 – $90
Carb Gasket	$3 – $20
Drive Belt	$5 – $55
Electric Motor	$50 – $800
Electric Starter	$50 – $200
Engine – Riding Mower	$350 – $1,000
Engine – Walk-Behind	$90 – $200
Engine Rebuild Kit – Riding Mower	$200 – $550
Engine Rebuild Kit – Walk-Behind	$90 – $200
Gas Starter	$30 – $140
Mower Deck Belt	$12 – $60
Pull Cord	$4 -$10
Recoil Assembly	$15 – $65
Transmission	$175 – $2,000

DIY Vs. Pro Tune-Ups

DIY Tune-Up	Pro Tune-Up
Typical Cost: $20 – $80 Low: $14 High: $170	Typical Cost: $85 – $350 Low: $55 High: $465

DIY tune-ups save homeowners bookoo bucks. If you’re on a tight budget, consider doing your own tune-ups. It’s not hard to learn and is typically complete within two hours. 

Tune-Up Supply	Typical Cost
Air Filter	$6 – $25
Bearing grease	$4 – $25
Carb Cleaner	$4 – $12
Engine Oil (1 quart)	$4 – $8
Fuel Additive	$5 – $20
Oil Filter	$4 – $18
Spark Plugs	$4 – $12
WD-40	$4 – $8

If you’re turned off by gas mower tune-ups and have a yard under ½ acre, consider the best battery mowers. Walk-behind electric mowers need little maintenance. My favorite is the Wild Badger Power Self-Propelled Mower. 

Cost of Specialty Tools

Tool	Typical Cost
Bench Grinder	$50 – $140
Impact Wrench	$40 – $200
Puller	$10 – $50
Torque Wrench	$20 – $90

If you don’t have the right specialty tools, factor them into the cost of DIY repairs. If you don’t have basic household tools, you probably aren’t ready to repair your own mower. 

Some repairs require these tools:

• Bench Grinder: The best way to sharpen mower blades is with a bench grinder.

• Impact Wrench: When replacing mower blades, an air or battery-powered impact wench is sometimes essential.

• Puller: When changing a transmission, a puller removes the drive pulley. Sometimes, it’s a must.

• Torque Wrench: A torque wrench is needed to rebuild an engine.

FAQ About Lawn Mower Repair

How often should you get your lawn mower serviced?

Most lawn mowers require service annually or after 25 to 50 hours of use. The mower’s manual should detail when to service that specific model. 

What are the most common lawn mower repairs?

The most common lawn mower repairs include:

• Tune-ups
• Belt replacement
• Blade replacement/sharpening
• Pull cord replacement
• Carburetor replacement 

Is it better to repair or replace a lawn mower?

It depends on how much the mower costs and how much the repair costs. Minor repairs are typically worth it, including:

• Belt replacement
• Blade sharpening/replacement
• Pull cord replacement
• Tire replacement

If you like the mower and it’s otherwise in good shape, we recommend replacing the carburetor. However, engine and transmission repairs are seldom worth it. 

If you do your own repairs and have time to spare, replacing engines on low-end push mowers and fancy riding mowers is often worth it. For run-of-the-mill models, it’s usually better to buy a new mower. 

When to Hire a Lawn Care Pro

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