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The yard is a great place for the kids and pets to run and play. It’s also nice to have outdoor space for get-togethers and barbecues. But if homeowners don’t stay on top of yard maintenance, then the lawn can quickly grow out of control. When the grass grows to over 4 inches in height, it doesn’t just pose an aesthetic problem to the yard—it can become a danger. Ticks seek out locations where they can easily latch onto a passing animal, and grass over 4 inches in height is ideal.
At least once a week, homeowners need to bring out the lawn mower and trim the yard to keep it safe for the home’s residents and pets. If the lawn mower starts showing signs that it isn’t working properly, like smoking or excessive vibration, it may be time to start searching for the “best place to buy a lawn mower near me” or “best deals on riding lawn mowers near me.” That being said, it would be more affordable to have minor problems repaired instead of buying a brand-new lawn mower.
A simple search engine query, like “where to find the best lawn mower repair near me,” can generate many results, but it can be difficult to sift through the choices to determine the best lawn mower service. The best lawn mower repair services can handle a wide range of brands and lawn mower types at a reasonable price. This guide will highlight some noteworthy nationwide providers and provide information about lawn mower repair services.
- BEST OVERALL: Sears
- RUNNER-UP: The Home Depot
- BEST AGGREGATOR: Angi
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Lawn Mower Repair Services
A homeowner won’t want to search for “best deals on lawn mowers near me” or try to figure out the best place to get a lawn mower until they have inspected their current lawn mower. Minor repairs can be made more cost-effectively than replacing the lawn mower. Homeowners can consider whether the lawn mower can be repaired or if a replacement is the better option, then look at important lawn mower repair service factors, like the service area, scheduling, completion time, and the brands or lawn mower types the repair service can fix.
Repair vs. Replacement
A nearby lawn mower repair service can address minor damage or maintenance concerns. New spark plugs, an ignition switch, a new filter, or even a new battery are all relatively inexpensive repairs that can be made for less than the price of a new mower. Additionally, customers will want to check the warranty on their lawn mower. The best lawn mower warranty may be able to cover several different repairs, making it more cost-effective to have the current mower repaired instead of replaced.
However, even the best lawn mower engines will burn out or fail after several years of regular use, so customers won’t always be able to have a lawn mower repaired for less than it costs to simply upgrade. Customers can consider the costs involved and the potential for future repairs. It’s important to remember that lawn mowers tend to last about 7 to 10 years, even with regular maintenance and repairs, so if a lawn mower is nearing the end of its life, a customer may be better off investing in a new mower.
Tune-Ups and Maintenance
Heading to the nearest lawn mower repair service doesn’t need to be limited to damage or problems that need repair. Most of these companies also offer tune-up and maintenance services, ensuring that trained professionals can take care of lawn mowers. It’s a good idea to take the lawn mower in before the start of the lawn-mowing season to ensure it’s running smoothly.
There are also some steps owners can take to help maintain a lawn mower at home, such as emptying the gas tank before winter, regularly changing the oil, cleaning or replacing the filter as necessary, and storing the batteries in a safe location that isn’t too hot or too cold.
Service Area and Scheduling
Small, local lawn mower repair services typically have similarly small and localized service areas that can provide regular lawn mower maintenance and repairs to the client base in the town in which they are based. This may limit the number of appointments booked for maintenance and repairs or increase the job completion time.
Larger lawn mower repair services can have nationwide service areas, making it easy to find a reliable repair and maintenance shop nearby. However, the level of experience and knowledge may be lacking depending on the rate of turnover and the training required for new employees. However, scheduling is usually much easier with large lawn mower repair services because they have the staff to handle a larger volume of work. Customers can lean on reviews of the service to establish the company’s reputation and quality of work.
Brands and Types of Mowers Repaired
Similar to automotive repair services, lawn mower repair services can sometimes be limited by the brands and types of mowers they can repair. This is mainly due to the variety of different parts used by various global manufacturers, though training and experience can also be lacking when it comes to certain lawn mower types, like riding mowers.
Most lawn mower repair services will be able to work on a standard push mower with basic features, but as the mower gets more complex, the knowledge required to work on this lawn maintenance tool increases. Suppose a customer has a high-end riding mower manufactured internationally. In that case, they may have a hard time finding a local lawn mower repair service that can complete the work on-site. Customers can expect to pay a higher price to have the lawn mower shipped off-site for repairs.
Pricing, Diagnostic Fee, and Deposit
Whenever a customer is looking into a new lawn mower repair service, they will want to ask the necessary questions up front before agreeing to allow a technician to work on the lawn mower. The reason for this is that some repair services may charge a diagnostic fee, while other companies may ask customers to pay a deposit when dropping off a mower; this ensures customers aren’t using the repair service as a way to dispose of lawn mowers they no longer want.
Customers can ask the technician or customer service representative for the pricing and whether there are any additional fees or deposits they should know about. Customers don’t need to let situational ignorance force them into making a decision they don’t want to make.
Off-Site vs. On-Site Repairs
Not all lawn mower repair services have the parts and qualified personnel to deal with every brand and type of lawn mower. Some smaller lawn mower repair services may simply turn the customer away, explaining that they cannot fix the lawn mower, but large lawn mower repair services often have an alternative option. They send the lawn mower to a different location that has the parts and trained personnel to complete the repair.
When the lawn mower needs to be sent away for repairs, it is known as an off-site repair. These repairs typically take more time and may cost more, depending on the company. On-site repairs are completed at the tool repair center and are usually much faster than off-site repairs because there is no shipping involved. On-site repairs may also cost less, though this varies among lawn mower repair services.
Job Completion Time
The exact amount of time that it takes to fix a lawn mower doesn’t really matter when it comes to the job completion time. This is because there is usually more than one lawn mower to work on at the repair shop, so a customer’s lawn mower cannot be repaired as soon as they hand it over. Between the time a customer drops off the lawn mower and when it’s ready to be picked up, it could take from a few days to a few weeks depending on the volume of work the lawn mower repair company has to handle. Customers will want to keep in mind that many people discover problems with their lawn mowers in the spring when they start using the mower again, so customers can expect the longest wait times during these months.
Licensing, Certification, and Insurance
It’s always a good idea to ask about the technicians’ qualifications when a customer is looking into new lawn mower repair services, though it should be noted that there isn’t a strict licensing or certification program for lawn mower maintenance and repair. Instead, customers can check the technician’s qualifications and ask if the company has a business license and general liability insurance.
Companies that rely on positive customer interaction to help increase interest in their services will usually answer questions without any problems. However, if a customer gets a lot of pushback when they are asking about experience and qualifications, this is a red flag. Customers will want to consider opting for a different lawn mower repair service that is up front about the skill and knowledge they can offer to customers.
Guarantee
Some lawn mower repair services will offer a guarantee on the work performed by the technicians. This guarantee may cover just the work performed or it may be an overall satisfaction guarantee that can cover more generalized concerns. Essentially, a guarantee means that if the customer is not satisfied with the work or if the lawn mower begins experiencing the same problems shortly after the repair, then the customer can come back to the lawn mower repair shop to have the lawn mower reassessed.
If there is a problem with the work that was performed, customers may be eligible for a refund, though the lawn mower repair service may simply offer to take the lawn mower back and make the necessary repairs free of charge. Each company differs in how they deal with guarantees, so before a customer hands over their lawn mower, they should clearly understand what the guarantee covers and what they can expect to receive if there is a problem with the repair.
Our Top Picks
This list of the best lawn mower repair services was chosen for flexible scheduling, efficient job completion time, and a nationwide service area, as well as reasonable guarantee policies.
Best Overall
Sears
- Service area: Nationwide
- Scheduling: Online, in-store
- Off-site vs. on-Site repairs: On-site
- Guarantee: 90-day satisfaction guarantee
Pros
- Convenient online booking
- Customers do not need to make appointments for push-mower repair service
- Customers can receive a discount on a new mower if they don’t opt for repairs
Cons
- Availability may be limited for more remote locations
Why It Made the Cut: Customers can book appointments online or in-store for riding mowers, or just walk in for push-mower repair service without needing to make an appointment at Sears’ nationwide repair centers. When the lawn mower begins smoking or it vibrates violently during use, Sears is one of the top places to take it for repairs. The best part is that if it’s a push mower, the repair center can take it without the customer needing to book an appointment. However, even if the problem is with a riding mower, it’s relatively easy to book through the Sears website or in-store while shopping. Sears offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee on lawn mower repairs and performs the work on-site, so the job completion time is typically shorter than companies that send mowers off-site for repairs. If the necessary repairs will cost too much or the damage is more extensive than first thought, Sears may offer a discount on a new mower to replace the old one. This lawn mower repair service is available nationwide, though customers in remote locations may have a harder time finding a service center because Sears has been closing many of its stores in recent years. Despite this, Sears still employs about 6,800 technicians and is active in most U.S. metropolitan centers, so many customers will be able to find a repair center nearby.
Runner-Up
The Home Depot
- Service area: Nationwide
- Scheduling: Phone, in-store
- Offsite vs. on-site repairs: Varies by location
- Guarantee: 90-day service guarantee
Pros
- Appointments not required
- Technicians file claims with product manufacturers for damaged items still under warranty
- Customers can take mowers to one of 2,300 stores in North America
Cons
- Deposit required upon drop-off
Why It Made the Cut: With nationwide availability through one of 2,300 stores, The Home Depot is an excellent option for customers who want consistent service regardless of where they move. Head to the nearest Home Depot store for routine lawn mower maintenance or repairs. Just keep in mind that while The Home Depot does have a nationwide service area, not all 2,300 locations have a service center that can perform on-site repairs. But customers don’t need to get concerned—if the location doesn’t have a service center, it can send the lawn mower to an off-site location that has the right parts and the qualified staff to fix the lawn mower. While an appointment isn’t required, customers do need to pay a deposit when the lawn mower is dropped off at any Home Depot location. But The Home Depot offers a 90-day service guarantee on the work its technicians performed, and the techs will even help file warranty claims with product manufacturers to ensure customers are not paying for parts that are still under warranty.
Best Aggregator
Angi
- Service area: Nationwide
- Scheduling: Online
- Offsite vs. on-site repairs: Varies by provider
- Guarantee: Varies by provider
- Customers can filter by project and choose from local professionals
- Customers can obtain quotes or bids within minutes
- Streamlined and user-friendly website and app
- Comprehensive resource center organized by project type
- Name, phone number, and email are required to browse local services
- Persistent follow-up emails and calls
Why It Made the Cut: Customers can take a look and compare several local lawn mower repair services through the searchable database of qualified professionals available through Angi. It’s always good to have more than one choice when it comes to professional lawn mower repair services, so when a brief internet search doesn’t seem to turn up anything promising, it’s a good idea to head to Angi. This service aggregator site specializes in compiling and providing a searchable database of qualified professionals, including lawn mower repair shops and independent repair technicians that are not affiliated with a larger shop. The website is streamlined and easy to use, so even new customers can quickly find a local professional to help with routine maintenance and repairs. The website does require users to provide their name, phone number, and email address in order to browse local services, but Angi makes it incredibly convenient and easy to compare lawn mower repair services in the area.
Our Verdict
Sears won’t just offer to repair a used lawn mower; it will also offer a discount on a new mower if a customer chooses not to go through with the repair. However, The Home Depot may be a better choice for those looking for help filing warranty claims.
How We Chose the Best Lawn Mower Repair Services
To find the best lawn mower repair services, it was important to look into each company to see what services, guarantees, and discounts each one offered to customers. Extensive research was also necessary in order to get a better understanding of each lawn mower repair service’s scheduling process and average job completion time.
Some repair shops only offered on-site repairs, while others offered both on-site and off-site repairs, allowing these companies to service a wider range of lawn mower brands and types. The selected lawn mower repair services had transparent information online, experience, and knowledge, and each demonstrated a clear understanding of customer needs.
Before You Hire One of the Best Lawn Mower Repair Services
Lawns take time to grow, so if a homeowner mowed the lawn last week and just discovered a problem with the mower, it isn’t something that needs to be handled immediately. Customers can take their time to look into the prices of the repair, if there are any deals or promotions, and whether one lawn mower repair service is more appealing than another.
Also, homeowners will want to consider the age of their lawn mower. If the mower is 7 years old or older, then it may be naturally reaching the end of its life. If this is the case, it would be better to invest in a new mower than to pay for repairing a lawn mower that will only break down again in the near future.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Lawn Mower Repair Services
One of the main reasons to take a lawn mower to a repair shop instead of simply buying a new lawn mower is that it’s typically more affordable to have the lawn mower repaired than to replace it. On average, routine maintenance and minor lawn mower repairs will cost about $60. There may be diagnostic fees or deposits that fall outside of this estimate, but these outliers are based on the specific company.
On the low end of the scale, customers may be able to have the lawn mower repaired for just $40, but costs can also climb to around $90. While some repair costs can greatly exceed $90, these are rare and customers will want to consider whether it would be better to simply upgrade, rather than pay for repairs that cost almost as much as a new mower.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Lawn Mower Repair Services
When it comes time to take the lawn mower out of storage, it’s important to remember that this machine may have been sitting stagnant for several months. Taking the lawn mower to a lawn mower repair shop for routine maintenance ensures that the lawn mower is working properly and helps to protect the vulnerable inner workings of the motor from wear.
The lawn mower repair service tech can also inspect the lawn mower and suggest any changes that are necessary to keep it working properly, like changing the type of oil or increasing the frequency with which the filter is changed. Customers will want to keep in mind that there are many minor repairs a technician can make that will cost less than buying a new lawn mower, so if the lawn mower starts acting up, homeowners will want to consider taking it to a lawn mower repair shop to see if the problem can be resolved in a cost-effective way.
- Expert routine maintenance can extend the life of the lawn mower.
- Trained technicians can spot potential problems and suggest fixes.
- Repairing instead of replacing the lawn mower can save money.
FAQs
Here, homeowners can find out more about lawn mower repairs, such as the average cost, signs that the mower needs to be fixed, and several common lawn mower issues.
Q. How much does lawn mower repair cost?
Significantly less than paying for a brand-new lawn mower, lawn mower repair costs about $40 to $90 on average, though the prices can vary significantly depending on the repair service and the region.
Q. Is it worth it to repair a lawn mower?
The cost is the biggest factor to consider. If the repair will cost less than the price of a comparable new lawn mower, then it’s likely better to have your current mower repaired. However, if the cost of repairs is close, equal to, or greater than the cost of a new mower, then you’ll want to consider replacing the old mower. Similarly, if your lawn mower breaks down more often than it works, even if the repair costs are low, they will add up, and it’s best to upgrade to a new mower.
Q. What are signs my lawn mower needs to be repaired?
Signs that your lawn mower needs to be repaired include a sudden loss of power to the motor, smoke coming out of the lawn mower, the motor won’t start, or there is unusual or excessive vibration while you mow. A loose blade can cause damage to the lawn and put the user at risk. A loose blade can cause damage to the lawn and put the user at risk. While you could hire the best lawn repair or landscaping service to fix the lawn in the event of damage caused by a loose blade, you could also end up with a severe injury. Avoid this problem by inspecting the lawn mower before you use it.
Q. What are common lawn mower issues?
Common problems that can impact a lawn mower range from issues that are simple to fix, like a faulty spark plug or ignition switch, to more serious issues like a blown transmission. Other common issues include a damaged drive belt, a cracked gas tank or oil tank, broken cooling fins, a faulty battery, and a clogged filter.
Q. How long should a lawn mower last?
When a lawn mower is properly maintained and stored when not in use, it will typically last between 7 to 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
Q. Do lawn mower repair services offer discounts?
Yes, some lawn mower repair services do have deals on services for repeat customers. Other repair services, like Sears, may offer a discount on a new mower if you choose not to repair your old mower.
