September 2026 pricing data
Stump grinding cost by diameter
Measure across the widest point of the stump at ground level, not at chest height, because root flare makes the base significantly wider than the trunk above it. That measurement is what a quote is based on.
| Stump diameter | Cost range | Grind depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 inches | $100 – $120 | 6–8" | Minimum service fee applies; small stumps rarely cost less than $100 |
| 12 – 18 inches | $120 – $175 | 8–10" | Typical single-tree stump; add 15% for hardwood |
| 18 – 24 inches | $170 – $230 | 8–12" | Mature tree; wide root flare can push the price up |
| 24 – 36 inches | $230 – $350 | 10–12" | Allow extra time for hardwood; grindings volume is substantial |
| Over 36 inches | $350 – $700+ | 12" | Old-growth or multi-trunk; often priced as a half-day job |
Source: Angi, HomeGuide, LawnLove. National averages current as of September 2026. $3–$5 per inch with a $100 minimum service fee.
Estimate your own stump in ten seconds
You do not need a calculator for this. The formula is linear. Multiply the diameter in inches by $3 (low) and $5 (high), then apply the $100 minimum.
| Diameter | × $3 | × $5 | Your realistic quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 inches | $18 | $30 | $100 minimum applies |
| 10 inches | $30 | $50 | $100 minimum applies |
| 16 inches | $48 | $80 | $100 – $110 |
| 24 inches | $72 | $120 | $100 – $140 |
| 36 inches | $108 | $180 | $110 – $200 +15% hardwood |
The $100 minimum is the reason small stumps are never cheap. On stumps under roughly 20 inches, the minimum fee, not the per-inch rate, sets your price.
Why quotes still vary. Access is the wildcard. A stump in an open front yard is a 30-minute job. The same stump behind a gate, on a slope, or surrounded by irrigation lines and edging takes considerably longer, and crews quote accordingly. Stumps with visible surface roots spreading into a lawn are also slower.
The bundling math
Stump grinding is almost always cheaper as an add-on than as a standalone job, and the difference is large enough to be worth planning around.
| Scenario | What you pay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bundled with removal | Grinding cost, often −10–15% | Crew and equipment are already on site; the stump is already accessible and the debris is going in the same truck. |
| Standalone, later | Grinding cost + $75–$150 | A second mobilization: the truck, chipper and grinder all return for one stump. This is the charge bundling eliminates. |
| Multiple stumps, one visit | Per-stump cost drops sharply | The mobilization cost is fixed, so spreading it across 3–4 stumps reduces each one. Ask for a per-stump price on a batch. |
What grinding does not do
Setting the right expectation here prevents the most common post-job complaint.
- It does not remove the roots. Grinding goes 6–12 inches below grade. The root system stays in the soil and decays over several years. That is fine for replanting grass or building a patio; it is not fine if you need the root mass gone for structural reasons.
- It does not stop suckering on all species. Some trees, including poplar, willow and tree of heaven, regrow from surviving roots. Grinding alone will not stop them; you need root removal or a stump-killing treatment applied correctly, which is a separate service.
- It leaves a hole and a chip pile. Most crews backfill the hole with the grindings, which is included. Hauling the chips away instead is an extra charge, and the volume is larger than most people expect.
- It will not find buried utilities for you. Before grinding near a driveway, path or outbuilding, confirm where irrigation lines, landscape wiring and any buried services run. Crews hit them regularly, and repair is on you.
Common questions
Stump grinding: frequently asked questions
- Stump grinding costs $3–$5 per inch of stump diameter, measured across the widest point at ground level, with a minimum service fee of $100 in most markets. A 12-inch stump runs $100–$120; a 24-inch stump runs $170–$230; a 36-inch stump runs $250–$350.
- Yes, substantially. The crew is already on site with equipment staged and the stump already accessible, so bundling avoids a second mobilization charge of $75–$150. Many arborists also apply a bundled discount of 10–15% on the grinding itself. Ask for the combined price before the truck leaves, not the following week.
- No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. Grinding removes the stump to a depth of roughly 6–12 inches below grade and leaves the root system in the ground. The roots decay over several years. Grinding is enough to replant grass or build over; it is not full stump extraction, which is a separate and much more expensive service.
- Yes. Oak, maple and hickory stumps take longer to grind than softwood stumps of the same diameter, and typically cost 15–20% more. Root flares that spread wide at the base add further time. Palm and pine stumps sit at the bottom of the range.
- You can, but be aware of the consequences. A decaying stump becomes a host for termites, carpenter ants and fungal rot within 3–5 years, and softwood stumps decay faster than hardwood. It also regrows suckers on many species. Leaving it is a legitimate choice for a stump far from any structure, not for one beside a house or deck.
- Grinding produces a surprising volume of chips, typically a wheelbarrow or more per stump. Most crews leave them to backfill the hole, which is included in the price. Hauling them away is an extra charge. If you keep them, note that fresh grindings are not good mulch until composted for several months.
Related pricing
Stump grinding is almost always quoted alongside removal. Price both together before you compare contractors.
Get stump grinding quotes before the crew leaves
Bundling stump grinding with removal saves a $75–$150 mobilization charge. Ask for the combined price while the equipment is still on your property.
Request quotes