How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost? [2025 Data]
The cost for stump grinding ranges from $30 to $1,600, but most homeowners will pay about $250. Homeowners can expect to pay more for tougher, larger stumps and extra services like root removal or additional cleanup.
Grinding a tree stump down will cost most homeowners around $250. Smaller stumps and softer wood may cost as low as $30, but large stumps and hardwood tree species can cost up to $1,600.
Stump grinding requires specialized equipment that turns a stump into wood chips and dust. It usually removes the stump several inches below the ground’s surface so the tree cannot return. Grinding helps remove the stump of a recently cut tree before it starts to rot and becomes a magnet for bugs or fungi. Typical extra costs include paying to have the stump debris removed, paying for a permit if necessary, and landscaping to cover up the depression the stump leaves.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal
Stump grinding is an alternative to stump removal, and homeowners should consider which is right for a leftover tree stump on their property.
Stump removal usually involves digging out and removing the stump entirely, either as a whole or after being cut into chunks (this often involves removing many of the roots). It can be done manually with shovels and labor or with heavy machinery, such as tractors, brought in by the pros. However, specialized equipment like stump cutters is not required.
Stump removal works best for smaller, younger stumps and cut-down shrubs that will have a minimal impact on the surrounding ground and are lightweight enough to pull out. However, after finishing the project, homeowners will still have a sizable hole to fill and landscape over.
Stump grinding works best with larger, older stumps that are too big and grown in to remove completely—and if they were, it would cause significant damage to a lawn, path, etc. Grinding removes the stump in a more targeted way but may not remove surrounding roots as a result.
Stump Grinding Cost Factors
Stump grinding is a straightforward process involving three main factors: the cost to grind the stump, the permits needed to remove it, and the cost to put sod over the remaining pieces. Here’s a breakdown of tree stump grinding costs.
Size/Diameter
Stump grinding rates vary with the circumference of the tree trunk (how big the tree stump is). These measurements use diameter inches rather than square feet or linear inches. On average, stump grinding prices sit between $2 and $5 per diameter inch. While your stump may be small in circumference, most contractors will charge a minimum fee of $100 for grinding services.
| Stump diameter | Cost |
|---|---|
| 6-inch stump | $118–$130 |
| 12-inch stump | $124–$160 |
| 18-inch stump | $136–$190 |
| 24-inch stump | $148–$220 |
Number of Stumps
The number of stumps impacts how much you'll pay for stump grinding. Sure, the overall project costs more if multiple stumps are removed, but the cost per stump can drop dramatically. Contractors usually have a minimum callout fee for a single stump, usually between $100 and $150. However, additional stumps are often priced much lower, at about $40 to $75 each.
Note that the diameter of the stump we mentioned above will also impact the final pricing here.
| Number of stumps | Minimal Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 stump | $100–$150 |
| 2 stumps | $140–$175 |
| 3 stumps | $180–$250 |
| 4 stumps | $220–$325 |
| 5 stumps | $260–$400 |
Tree Type
Tree species can surprisingly impact stump-grinding costs, especially if they are harder to remove than other trees. Landscaping professionals aren’t likely to define specific costs for every tree species. However, they will likely charge more for hardwood species that take extra time and more powerful grinders.
Species like oak, walnut, and maple are classified as hardwoods, which may incur an additional charge or be added to your labor cost.
Stump Health
The age and condition of your stump may prove important to the project budget. Older, rotten stumps with aged wood are typically far easier to remove with grinding, so labor costs are often lower.
Remember that a diseased stump can still spread disease to other trees, so it’s essential to quickly remove a stump with rot, blights, and other problems. On the other hand, it’s also important to remove a healthy new stump fast because many common tree species will start sending out new shoots unless the trunk and roots are gone.
Location
Besides the type and size of the tree, location plays one of the most critical roles in stump grinding costs. Areas with high living costs or where stump grinding is in high demand are likely to charge significantly more. For example, the base cost for a single tree may be $150 to $170 in pricier areas. We’ve also seen the cost per inch increase to $7 for some grinder experts.
Be sure to communicate to your stump grinder if you don’t want a mound in your yard after removal. A professional knows that if the job's going to be done right, they will have to knock those roots out. The stump is easy. Chasing those roots down is more work and more time than removing just the stump.
Additional Cost Factors
The broad factors above will determine how much your stump grinding will cost. However, several other important factors may or may not apply depending on the job and what you want done. These include:
Stump Grinding Time
Larger stumps and denser woods will simply take longer to grind. That extra time directly affects how much labor is required, which can raise your costs. A simple stump grinding job may take only an hour. A challenging grinding project with dense wood or complicated trunk growth could easily take two or three hours, and labor costs will grow accordingly.
Accessibility and Terrain
Expect to incur additional fees if the tree stumps are on challenging terrain, access is limited, or the stumps are far from where the contractor can park. Some pros charge $50 per hour for the extra labor, while others charge a flat fee of up to $200 for a challenging project.
Time of Year
Winter is typically the cheapest time for tree removal, including removing the stump. You can save as much as 20% by tackling this project during the coldest months when tree services have the least demand. Remember that the cost to remove a stump entirely is slightly more than the cost to grind a stump down.
Debris Removal
Expect to pay $50 to $200 for hauling away the waste from the stump grinding. You can save by removing the debris yourself, but let the contractor take care of it if you can't haul it or have no use for it. Depending on the stump's diameter, they may charge you $50 per hour or a flat fee for debris removal. This process usually costs $2 to $4 per diameter inch.
Permits
You’re likely going to need permits to remove the stump. The reason is that utility lines underneath the stump could require extra safety measures to ensure they aren’t hit. Permits cost around $100 to $500, depending on your city.
It’s not as common, but certain types of stump grinding may require an additional permit beyond those needed to dig near utility lines. If you’re removing a tree entirely, you should check that the species doesn’t have legal protections in your region. Likewise, you may be unable to remove some trees because of laws regarding a certain number of trees in a plot. On that note, if you are a part of a homeowners association, you should look up the bylaws on tree removal to ensure you don’t accidentally violate any rules or regulations.
Cost of Common Stump Grinding Add-Ons
If hiring a professional tree service, you can bundle additional services to cut labor costs. Here are a few common add-ons to consider:
Tree removal: If you want a full tree removal or to remove trees near the stump, expect to pay between $200 and $2,000, depending on the type and size of the trees and their accessibility. This cost does not usually include handling the stump, but you can save money by arranging stump grinding with the same company.
Tree transplanting: If your stump work also includes repositioning other trees or replacing the stump with one of your existing trees, it will cost between $300 and $1,000, depending mostly on the tree size.
Tree pruning or trimming: Combine your stump grinding with additional tree pruning, which starts at around $450 for the average project. Tree trimming, which usually involves lighter work with fewer changes, starts at only $75 but can go up to $1,800, depending on the project size.
Shrub removal: Grinding a stump is also a good time to clear even more space by having shrubs removed. Removing shrubs costs $450 to $1,400 more than tree removal because shrubs can be difficult to dig out fully.
Landscaping: If you want to turn your old stump spot into a berm, water feature, or other attraction, you pay for landscaping services that usually fall between $1,250 and $6,300. Consider DIY landscaping after your stump is entirely removed for smaller landscaping projects.
Root removal: Not all stump grinding includes complete root removal, which can be problematic for large trees with big roots that could rot or bulge above ground. Removing roots like these can be a DIY project, or you can hire the pros for about $100 to $200 per hour to dig them out.
Sodding: Another popular option for the leftover stump spot is to cover it with grass, preferably the same grass species as your lawn. Sprinkling seed can work here if you build up a healthy soil base that’s level with the lawn, or you can buy and cut your own sod. However, others prefer to pay the pros between $1 to $2 per square to lay the sod.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Tackling a stump grinding project on your own can save you on labor costs, but it’s essential to consider the extra time, effort, and potential hazards involved. Renting a stump grinder can cost $100 to $300 per day, and while this may seem cost-effective, the equipment is heavy and requires experience to operate safely. DIY also often overlooks additional tasks like root removal, debris disposal, and ground repair, which can add significant labor and expenses. Safer money-saving DIY projects include laying sod, replanting grass, and otherwise reinvigorating the site once the stump is gone.
Hiring a local stump remover costs between $200 and $500, depending on the stump size, accessibility, and whether you need extras like root removal or debris hauling. Pros handle the entire process efficiently, including lawn repair, and ensure compliance with local permits or regulations. If your tree stump is near a utility line or close to your home, you should always leave this job to a pro. Though it’s pricier, hiring a pro saves time and effort, especially for larger or more complex jobs.
How to Save on Stump Grinding Costs
If the cost of professional stump removal is high, you can try several tactics to find the lowest price.
Get several estimates: Stump grinding costs can vary across service companies. Learn about the expected costs in your area by getting different quotes from three local services. When possible, get an in-person estimate from a professional who can view the physical stump and its location.
Make stump access and removal easier: Clear undergrowth and pathways to your stump. The faster professionals can gain access and grind away, the easier the task will be. Saving time for your contractor can save you money.
Bundle tree needs: Hire one company to take care of several tree-related tasks—that can include tree removal, grinding, root removal, planting new trees, and more. It may take companies several days, but the overall costs should be lower when you bundle everything together in one package.
Take care of clean-up: To save on labor costs, agree to clean up yourself. Plan to remove wood chips and use them as mulch or pack them into the leftover hole.
Grind down to surface level only: Standard stump grinding typically goes past the surface to remove the core clump of roots. This method creates a well-like depression for future landscaping but is not always necessary. There are also options for surface-level grinding that only grinds down to the soil level. Surface-level grinding works well with a stump that’s long dead or unlikely to send up new shoots, and the costs are lower for this service.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grinding down a tree helps reduce the risk of foundation damage and pests and even helps your home’s curb appeal. Stumps can also be a safety hazard. If grass grows above the stump and someone else mows your yard, they may be in for a rude awakening when they accidentally hit it.
Tree removal costs typically don’t include stump removal, as that technically falls into a different service. The company you hire may offer the service for an additional fee; ask them if they offer it to ensure you get the best tree stump removal costs possible.
A standard tree removal doesn’t include stump grinding. If you want your contractor to remove your tree and grind the stump, you must pay an extra charge. That said, you’ll likely save on the cost of stand-alone service—especially if it’s a small tree and they can finish both jobs in a single trip.
The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.
Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.
If your stump has a pest problem, don’t worry; it won’t slow down the stump grinding process. It might even speed it up. But you may want to contact pest control afterward if it looks like a spreading infestation.
