1 · The friction
Sound familiar?
What shop owners tell us about pricing e-bike work.
“Customers think we're expensive”
Without published prices, people compare you to the cheapest quote they've seen.
Source: Tift client work
“They want a price before they bring it in”
A fixed diagnostic fee answers the first question every e-bike owner has.
Source: Pedl; Melbourne Powered
“Marketplace jobs undercut us”
Marketplace listings advertise lower prices than franchise dealers.
Source: Airtasker
“They compare us to the cheapest quote they saw”
Without clear pricing, every e-bike job starts with a haggle.
Source: Pattern we see in bike shop enquiries
2 · The numbers
E-bike service prices, by the numbers
$139
E-bike electrical diagnostic at one Sydney shop
Pedl
$110
Minimum e-bike assessment at one Melbourne shop
Melbourne Powered
$120/hr
Published workshop labour rate in Sydney
Pedl
$100
An e-bike service job posted in Ashfield
Airtasker, Jan 2026
Prices vary, but the shops that publish them make it easier for customers to say yes.
3 · Side by side
The comparison
| For an e-bike service | Specialist e-bike shop | Local bike shop | Marketplace mechanic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic fee | $110–$139 published | Varies by shop | Varies by job post |
| Labour | About $120 an hour | Varies by shop | Quoted per job |
| Electrical work | Yes, often certified | Depends on training | Varies |
| Warranty on work | Ask the shop | Ask the shop | Ask the shop |
| Best for | Motor and battery faults | Brakes, tyres, drivetrain | Simple jobs, flexible timing |
Examples from published price lists and job posts, 2026. Always ask for a quote.
4 · The decision
How to price your e-bike work
Publish fixed prices for
A diagnostic check.
A standard e-bike service.
Brake and tyre jobs.
Quote case by case for
Motor faults.
Battery problems.
Bikes with missing paperwork.
Avoid
Hiding prices entirely.
Diagnostic fees that surprise people at pick-up.
Promising work on systems you're not trained on.
5 · In practice
What clear pricing usually looks like
Challenge
Every call starts with “how much?” and quotes depend on who answers.
Action
A fixed diagnostic fee, a few fixed-price jobs, and everything else quoted after diagnosis.
Result
Fewer calls
Clear prices answer the first question before the phone rings.
6 · Quick answers
Questions shop owners ask us
Should I charge for a diagnostic?
Yes, and say so up front. Most published e-bike diagnostics are a fixed fee.
Should the diagnostic come off the repair?
It's your call. Saying clearly either way avoids arguments at pick-up.