Shock and Strut Replacement: How Much to Charge (2026 Mobile Mechanic Pricing)

Updated 2026-10-17. Sources are listed at the end.

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Struts are a solid ticket for a mobile tech: parts plus real labor, and quick-strut assemblies have made the job doable in a driveway. Two things catch people out: the alignment the car needs afterward, and the spring.

2026 national price range

RepairPal’s national estimate for shock or strut replacement is $1,144–$1,348: $332–$487 labor and $812–$862 parts (updated Sept. 3, 2026; excludes taxes and fees; not adjusted for location) (RepairPal).

What RepairPal says about the job

Replace in pairs (both fronts or both rears) so the car handles evenly.
Get an alignment afterward. Removing a strut affects alignment.
The spring is dangerous. A compressed coil spring stores a lot of energy. Use a proper spring compressor, or quote complete strut assemblies so you never have to take a spring apart in the field.

The alignment problem for mobile techs

Most mobile mechanics can’t do an alignment. Put that on the estimate:

“Alignment required after this repair, performed by [shop name] / customer to arrange” as a written line.
If you have a local shop you send alignments to, quote it as a sublet line at their price. In California, BAR has rules on sublet work; see estimate & invoice requirements.

Writing it down protects you when a customer blames uneven tire wear on your strut job.

Quote it

Quote = book hours (per pair) × your labor rate + parts × (1 + markup) + trip fee

Example: a front pair of quick-strut assemblies at 2.0 book hours and $95/hr = $190.00 labor. The two assemblies cost you $260 × 1.35 = $351.00. Total $541.00, plus alignment (sublet or customer-arranged), tax and the trip fee. Your labor rate & break-even calculator result replaces the $95.

Quick-strut assemblies cost more than bare struts, but they save time and skip the spring compressor. For a mobile tech, the saved hour and the lower risk often justify quoting them by default. Offer the bare strut as a lower-price option if the customer asks.

When the wheel’s off, look at end links, sway bar bushings, tie-rod ends, ball joints and strut mounts. Quote anything worn as a separate, optional line with a photo. If you hear a wheel bearing, see wheel bearing & CV axle pricing.

Sources

RepairPal, Suspension shock or strut replacement cost (updated Sept. 3, 2026): https://repairpal.com/estimator/suspension-shock-or-strut-replacement-cost