Riding lawn mower repairs costs $140 to $250 on average, depending on the problem. Most professional lawn mower mechanics charge $45 to $100 per hour for repair services, plus the cost of parts.

Similar to car repair, many lawn mower repair shops often have a standard pricing system for common repairs so if you have an idea what the issue is, you can often get a rough estimate with a quick phone call. Most shops can fix and service all varieties of lawn mowers, whether gas or electric, but be sure to ask if the shop works on your brand before scheduling a repair or service appointment.

Lawn mower repair shops and small engine mechanics repair and service riding lawn mowers. If the repair technician you choose services the brand of mower you have, they will likely keep common parts in stock for that brand, cutting down on repair times. Finding a repair shop that works on your mower brand also means the technician should be familiar with the common issues for that brand, allowing them to easily spot the problem and resolve the issue quickly.

Common signs your riding lawn mower needs service include:

• Mower struggles or fails to start
• Mower stalls often
• The battery keeps losing charge.
• Frequent knocking, sputtering, screeching, or rattling sounds
• Mower uses or leaks too much oil or gas
• Mower experiences unusual and excessive vibration
• Smoke coming out of the exhaust
• Mower no longer bags or discharges properly
• Mower won't cut heavy or dense grass

A riding mower should be serviced every 50 hours or once a season. Regular maintenance should include changing the oil, greasing the moving parts, and cleaning the mower after each use.

Annual service appointments go a long way towards keeping it top condition by finding small issues before they become big problems resulting in costly repairs or complete mower replacement.

The most common riding lawn mower repairs and services include:

• Engine tune-up and repair
• Battery replacements
• Blade sharpening
• Belt replacements
• Fuel filter replacements
• Air filter replacements
• Transmission repair
• Wiring repair
• Tire repair and replacement

A riding lawn mower should last 500 to 1500+ hours, or 15 to 20 years with proper care and maintenance.

When hiring a lawn mower repair service, ask them these important questions:

• How long have you been repairing riding mowers?
• What mower brands do you repair and service?
• Do you do in-home repairs, or do I bring my mower to your shop?
• Do you offer free repair estimates?
• How much will the repair or service cost?
• Do you have a price list for common repair services?
• Should I repair or replace my mower?
• How long will it take to make the necessary repairs?
• Do you offer a guarantee on parts and labor?
• What payment options do you offer?
• How soon can you service my riding mower?

Start by searching our list of riding mower repair services in your area and put together an initial lists of pros to contact. Then, you should:

• Compare at least three estimates from technicians familiar with your brand of mower.
• Select from licensed, insured, and certified mechanics.
• Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Ask for a price list of standard repairs and services.
• Ask about warranties and guarantees.
• Ask for a detailed estimate, written contract, and warranty in writing.