Stump grinding costs about $100 to $400 per stump. Most tree services charge $3 to $5 per inch of stump diameter with a minimum around $100 to $150, so a 20-inch stump runs roughly $80 to $150 plus that minimum. Grinding several stumps in one visit usually drops the per-stump price.
We build websites and SEO for tree services and landscapers, and we run our own home-service companies, so we see how these jobs get quoted. Here's what actually changes the number and when you can rent a grinder instead.
Usually the company minimum. A small softwood stump in open ground is quick work — most of the cost is showing up and moving the equipment.
The most common single-stump job. Hardwood, spreading surface roots, or a tight spot push it toward the top of the range.
Big oak and maple stumps take time and wear on the cutting wheel. Expect the high end, especially if roots have to be chased out across the lawn.
Once the grinder is on site, each additional stump is cheaper. Bundling several into one visit is the easiest way to lower the per-stump rate.
These get confused, and the price gap is large:
For nearly every homeowner, grinding is the right call. Removal is the exception, not the default.
A single small stump can be a real DIY job. Consider doing it yourself if:
Hire out for large stumps, several at once, or anything near a structure or buried line. The machines kick rocks and debris hard, and a hidden utility line turns a cheap job expensive fast.
If you run a tree service, a page like this brings in customers who've already decided to grind a stump and just need someone reliable. We hand-build the site, add 24/7 AI lead capture, and publish researched cost guides every month. Plans run $249/mo for the site plus lead capture, $597/mo to add the monthly SEO engine, and from $1,750/mo for the full CRM and reputation stack. Month-to-month, and you own everything. See landscaping website design, tree service SEO, or what local SEO costs.
We don't post stock testimonials. On a 15-minute call we screen-share the real dashboards behind our own businesses — live leads, rankings, and the exact page that produced each one. See the proof →
Yes. Grinding runs $100 to $400 and leaves the roots to decay. Full removal pulls the whole root ball and runs $300 to $800 or more because of heavier equipment and the hole left behind.
Most quotes leave the grindings in place to use as mulch. Hauling them off is often a small extra charge — ask up front if you want a clean finish.
Yes, once you remove the chips, backfill with topsoil, and let it settle. Grinding leaves a sawdust mix that needs replacing with soil before seed will take well.
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