How Much to Charge for Small Engine Repair
Small engine repair is priced with flat rates for routine work — tune-ups, blade sharpening, carb cleans — and an hourly rate for diagnosis and unusual repairs. A shop minimum matters more than the hourly number, because the paperwork and handling on a small ticket cost the same as on a large one.
Flat rates do the heavy lifting
Price every routine job as a fixed number, by equipment class.
| Job | Basis |
|---|---|
| Push mower tune-up | Flat |
| Riding mower tune-up | Flat, higher |
| Blade sharpen & balance | Flat, per blade |
| Carburetor clean / rebuild | Flat |
| Chainsaw chain & bar service | Flat |
| Pull-cord replacement | Flat |
| Diagnosis | Hourly, with a minimum |
The minimum is the real decision
A $60 repair with fifteen minutes of handling is a $35 repair.
Set a shop minimum that covers intake, paperwork, and payment. It’s honestly the single biggest change you can make to keep a volume repair shop profitable — see minimum job charge.
The other billable lines
- Pickup & delivery — truck and trailer time
- Parts, itemized at your price
- Storage — after a stated grace period
- Disposal — oil, fuel, batteries
Get paid for the bad news
Diagnosis on equipment that isn’t worth fixing is still work you did, so don’t eat the cost. Quote the diagnostic fee before they leave the machine and it never turns into an argument.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a minimum matter so much here?
Because intake, diagnosis, paperwork, and payment take the same time whether the repair is $40 or $400. Without a minimum, the small jobs subsidize nothing and cost you the day.
How do I price a tune-up?
As a flat rate per equipment class — push mower, riding mower, trimmer, chainsaw — with parts either included at a standard set or itemized. Customers choose a named price instantly.
Should I charge for diagnosis on cheap equipment?
Yes, and quote it up front. A $150 box-store mower routinely needs a repair worth more than the machine, and the diagnostic fee is how you get paid for delivering that news.
How do I handle equipment nobody collects?
A storage policy on the intake ticket: a grace period, then a daily rate, then disposal rights after a stated period. Print it, apply it, and your back room stays usable.