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Lawn Mower Service Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of a lawn mower service is £150.
- Most jobs take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
- Lawn mower service costs by type of mower and task.
- How long the job takes and what's typically involved.
- How to find a lawn mower servicing expert using MyJobQuote.
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£150
Table of Contents
How Much is a Lawn Mower Service?
The average lawn mower service costs £150 and takes around 1 to 2 hours to complete.
For simple repairs like replacing a chain, costs may be lower, but for more complex jobs requiring a new motor or transmission, costs can reach £500-£1,000 plus labour.
What type of lawn mower do you need serviced?
Electric mower
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Petrol mower
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Cylinder mower
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Self-propelled mower
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Ride-on mower
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Robotic mower
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Regardless of whether you have a basic cylinder mower or an expensive ride-on, some repairs are straightforward, while others are more complex in nature, and should be handled by professional lawn mower repair services.
When you hire a professional for lawn mower repair services, make sure you understand what you are getting. Ask about what's included in the service, if there are any additional costs, what the repair requirements are, and how long the work will take to complete properly.
Lawn Mower Servicing Costs by Mower Type
| Service Type | Material Cost | Labour Cost | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric mower service | £5–£25 | £35–£70 | £40–£95 |
| Petrol mower service | £20–£60 | £50–£120 | £70–£180 |
| Cylinder mower service | £40–£120 | £80–£150 | £120–£270 |
| Self-propelled mower service | £40–£100 | £80–£120 | £120–£220 |
| Ride-on mower service | £80–£250 | £170–£350 | £250–£600 |
| Robotic mower service | £20–£80 | £60–£120 | £80–£200 |
Lawn Mower Servicing Costs by Job
| Servicing Task | Material Cost | Labour Cost | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade sharpening | £0–£15 | £10–£30 | £10–£45 |
| Blade replacement | £15–£50 | £10–£35 | £25–£85 |
| Spark plug replacement | £3–£12 | £10–£20 | £13–£32 |
| Air filter replacement | £5–£20 | £10–£20 | £15–£40 |
| Oil change | £5–£20 | £10–£25 | £15–£45 |
| Carburettor cleaning | £5–£25 | £25–£50 | £30–£75 |
If you choose to hire a professional repairer, you have to choose the right one. Make sure they are fully insured. Make sure the technicians are knowledgeable, have worked on similar mowers, and understand the intricacies of the work being completed.
How much should I expect to pay to have a lawn mower serviced?
"The pricing for repairing or servicing a lawn mower can vary from £20 to £550, with many variables affecting the price you can expect to pay."
Lawn Mower Repair Prices
| Job Description | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary pusher repairs | £20–£100 | £20–£50 per hour |
| Motor repair | £80–£500 | £20–£50 per hour |
| Overhaul repair, or replacing the transmission | £250–£1,000 | £20–£50 per hour |
| Tune-up | £0–£10 | £30–£50 per hour |
Types of Lawn Mower Service
Petrol Lawn Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £70 to £180
Petrol lawnmower servicing is the most popular service as petrol mowers require more regular lawn mower maintenance than other mower types.
A petrol mower service typically includes:
- Oil change.
- Spark plug replacement.
- Carburettor check.
- Any necessary lawn mower repairs to the engine or fuel system.
Electric Lawn Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £40 to £95
Electric mowers have fewer moving parts than petrol models, so they require less lawn mower maintenance overall.
A typical electric mower service includes:
- Blade sharpening.
- Cleaning and checking the motor and cables.
Ride-On Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £250 to £600
Ride-on mowers are the most complex type to service due to their size and number of components.
A ride-on mower service includes checking:
- Engine.
- Transmission.
- Cutting deck.
- Belts.
- Steering components.
Regular ride-on mower maintenance is particularly important as ride-on mower repairs can be costly if issues are left unaddressed.
Robotic Lawn Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £80 to £200
Robotic mowers require specialist knowledge to service as they combine mechanical and electronic components.
A robotic mower service usually includes:
- Blade replacement.
- Cleaning the chassis.
- Checking the boundary wire.
- Software diagnostics.
Cylinder Lawn Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £120 to £270
Cylinder mowers are typically used on fine lawns and require precise blade adjustment to maintain a clean cut.
Cylinder mower servicing includes:
- Checking and adjusting the cutting cylinder.
- Sharpening or replacing blades.
- Cleaning the roller.
Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Servicing
Typical Cost: £120 to £220
Self-propelled lawn mower servicing covers both petrol and electric models that have a powered drive system.
As well as the standard service checks, a self-propelled mower service also includes:
- Inspecting the drive belts, wheels and transmission for wear.
- Carrying out any necessary self-propelled lawn mower repairs if components need replacing.
Factors That Impact Lawn Mower Service & Repair Cost
There are a few things that affect how much lawn mower repairs or servicing cost. If you know what these are ahead of time, you'll be more prepared when you receive your quote.
- The age of your mower - Older lawn mowers generally need parts that cost more and take longer to get, some parts may be very difficult to find. If your mower is really old, the parts might cost two or three times what they would for a newer machine.
- The time of year - Most people want their mower fixed in spring, so appointment times may take longer as the demand for lawn mower repairs is higher. Winter machine servicing often costs less due to lower demand.
- What kind of parts you need - Things like spark plugs are cheap. Motors and transmissions are not. If you need expensive parts, they might have to order them, which takes time and costs more.
- What they find during inspection - Sometimes a simple problem leads to discovering other issues with additional costs once they start working. Ask them to contact you before doing additional work that would mean higher costs beyond the original estimate.
- Whether it's labour or parts-heavy - A basic service is mostly paying for time. Major component replacement means you're paying primarily for expensive parts, which explains why lawn mower repair costs can range from £30 to £500 depending on what needs fixing.
What Does a Lawn Mower Service Include?
When your lawn mower gets serviced, they check lots of different things to keep it working well.
A proper service takes 1 to 2 hours for basic work, though this may be longer if additional problems are found during the service.
What's usually included in your lawn mower service cost:
- Engine oil change - They drain the old oil and put in fresh oil that's right for your mower.
- Spark plug check - They look at the spark plug and replace it if it's worn out so your mower starts properly.
- Air filter clean or replace - Getting rid of dirt and debris that stops the engine working as well as it should.
- Blade sharpening - Making sure the blades cut cleanly and don't damage your grass.
- Fuel system check - Looking at fuel lines, fuel filter, and carburettor to make sure nothing's blocked or worn.
- Safety inspection - Checking cables, handles, guards, and other bits to make sure everything's safe.
Other things they may check:
- Starting system - Testing the pull cord, starter motor, and ignition to make sure it all works.
- Cutting height - Making sure all the wheels adjust properly and the cutting deck is level.
- Drive system - For self-propelled mowers, checking belts, wheels, and the bits that make it move, with belts replaced if damaged.
- Cleaning - Getting grass buildup off the deck and engine parts.
Air filters, fuel filters, and blades will be replaced if they are too worn to clean and drive belts and cables will only be replaced if damaged. These replacements are typically additional jobs that aren't included in your lawn mower service cost.
What brands would you suggest for buying the best lawn mowers in terms of value for money?
"If you have a basic lawn and do not want to play bowls on it, any decent mower will do the job. But, if you have a good, flat, well-fed grass, look at getting a semi-pro lawnmower."
Should I Service My Lawn Mower, or Buy a New One?
Struggling to figure out if you need a lawnmower repair or service, or just a brand new lawnmower? Here's how you can figure out what to do:
- How old is your lawn mower? If it's under 5 years old, you should get your lawn mower serviced instead of buying a new one.
- What needs repairing? If it's a small problem, like a broken blade or old spark plug, these can be replaced easily and relatively cheaply. If you're not sure what the problem is, but the mower is still young, it's still worth speaking with a professional to see if it can be repaired.
- Does your lawn mower have an engine problem? If you're aware your lawn mower's issue is with the engine, it can be expensive to fix. If your mower is old (over 10 years), and this isn't the first time it's broken, it might be time to purchase a new lawn mower.
New lawnmower costs vary depending on the type of mower you choose, but they may still be cheaper than expensive lawn mower repair costs. Here are some typical new mower costs to consider:
- Electric rotary lawnmowers start at £60.
- Petrol rotary lawnmowers start at £150.
- Ride-on lawnmowers start at £1,500.
Electric lawnmowers are perfect for average-sized residential gardens. You can get entry-level models starting at £50, and the mid to high-range models can cost up to £300.
If you want more power, or have a larger garden and don't want to be bothered by a trailing cord, you can choose a petrol lawnmower for ease of mowing. Most petrol lawnmowers are self-propelled, so you won't need to use as much physical effort to cut the grass as you would with an electric mower.
Then, large grassy areas - of over half an acre - will benefit from ride-on lawnmowers. These are the most expensive options, starting at £1,500, but are the best choice for large, open spaces with uneven terrain.
Can I Service a Lawn Mower Myself?
Doing it yourself is something which is possible for lawnmower repairs. But, these jobs are limited in scope.
For example, replacing a chain is something most owners can do - but for mower servicing jobs like replacing a transmission, it's best left to the professionals.
Other than replacing small parts, DIY jobs for lawnmower repairs aren’t advised. It will take more time, and you can often make errors in judgment, which will eventually end up costing far more than if you just took it to the tradesman in the first place.
When choosing someone for your repair or service, it is important to compare multiple quotes. Doing this will provide you with a better understanding of what goes into the repair, who is best to do the work, and also ensure that you choose the most qualified specialist.
How long does a lawn mower usually last before it is no longer fit for purpose?
"How long is a piece of string? It depends on the brand and if it is looked after properly (serviced regularly). Honda suggest a lifespan of 20+ years if serviced correctly."
Lawnmower Service and Repair Checklist
- Are they a member of BAGMA? The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association is the recognised trade body for garden and groundcare machinery dealers and repairers across the UK.
- Do they specialise in the type of lawn mower repair you need? Some lawn mower repairers focus on specific jobs such as motor repair or transmission repair, so check that they are experienced in the repair or service you need.
- Are they insured? Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the service or repair.
- Do they offer service guarantees? Always ask about guarantees on both labour and any lawn mower parts fitted before agreeing to the work.
- Will they include collection and delivery? Check if collection and delivery are included, particularly if you have a larger or ride-on mower that is difficult to transport.
- Do they offer mobile lawn mower servicing? Some lawn mower specialists will come to your home to service or repair your mower if you can't transport it to a workshop.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to read feedback from previous customers.
FAQs
How often should you service a lawn mower?
You will typically want to get your lawn mower serviced each year, to make sure it's in the best condition for the whole grass cutting season. If you have a larger garden or cut your grass more frequently, then servicing a couple of times a year can help to maintain performance and prevent expensive repairs later.
How long will repairs take?
It depends - simple repairs may only take a few hours, and even large motor or transmission repairs shouldn't take more than 1 to 2 days. But, don't forget to factor in the time to order parts if required, or if you need a repair in peak spring and summer time when lead times are probably longer.
Where's the best place to get my lawn mower serviced?
Choose a specialist garden machinery repair/servicing technician with good reviews on MyJobQuote, especially for major transmission or motor jobs. Make sure you get full warranties and guarantees on all new parts and repairs. It is the only way to ensure work is done properly, and the job is done by a certified specialist in the field.
Why should I service my lawn mower?
Regularly servicing your lawn mower helps to prolong its lifespan, giving you a better return on your initial investment, and can work out to be much more cost-effective than hiring a gardener or someone to cut your grass for you.
A tune-up will ensure the blades are sharp, cutting cleanly and efficiently, and helps to keep an eye on any potential large-scale problems with your mower that could end up costing you a lot more than a service.
Is it worth servicing my old lawn mower?
If your old lawn mower is still in relatively decent condition, a good service and any minor repairs could be cheaper than buying a new mower, especially if your old mower was a good quality brand/model. However, any significant repairs, like motors or transmissions, may mean a new mower is a more cost-effective option.
How do I know if my mower needs servicing?
There are a few signs that it might be time to book your mower in for service or repair. Problems starting the mower, issues with it cutting out, poor grass cutting performance, or excessive noise or vibrations during use, are all signs it's probably time to get your mower looked at.
