Mobile mower and small engine service

Service, repair and sharpen mowers and trimmers at people's homes, and resell refurbished machines.

Startup costC$3k to C$12k
Monthly revenueC$1.5k to C$7k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • C$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A van or trailer-based service that tunes up, repairs and sharpens lawnmowers, trimmers, chainsaws and snowblowers at the customer's property or via pickup and drop-off. You can also fix up used machines and sell them on, and stock a few common parts and accessories.

Your first three steps

  1. Take a small engine repair course or get hands-on experience, and list the machine brands you will service
  2. Set up a van or trailer with tools, a sharpening setup and fast-moving parts, and set your tune-up prices after checking local shops
  3. Offer early-spring tune-ups to neighbours and local landscapers, and post on community marketplaces and groups
Who pays

Householders who don't want to haul a mower to a shop, plus small landscaping and grounds maintenance firms that need quick turnaround.

How it makes money

Flat fees for spring tune-ups and blade sharpening, hourly labour plus parts for repairs, and margin on refurbished machines. Snowblower servicing in the fall helps fill the quieter months.

Skills that help
  • Small engine repair
  • Mechanical troubleshooting
  • Customer service
  • Pricing parts and labour
Watch out for
  • Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for tools and your vehicle
  • Rules for storing and disposing of used fuel, oil and batteries, check with your municipality and province
  • Home-based business licence rules from your municipality if you store parts or work from home
  • Strong seasonality, plan for winter with snowblower and chainsaw work
  • Brand warranty work usually needs authorized dealer status, so confirm what you can and can't claim
  • Whether you need to register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: mobile mower and small engine service

Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile mower repair business in Canada?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your van or trailer, tools, parts stock and insurance. Costs also vary with how many refurbished machines you buy to resell.

How much revenue can a mobile small engine service make?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your service area, pricing and how much resale work you do. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week. Work is strongly seasonal, so plan winter jobs.

What should I check before starting a mower repair service in Canada?

Check commercial general liability insurance plus cover for tools and your vehicle, and rules for storing and disposing of used fuel, oil and batteries with your municipality and province. Also check home-based licence rules, GST/HST registration, and what brand warranty work you can claim.

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