Stump Grinding Cost: $120 to $400 + Per-Inch Pricing (2026)

How much does stump grinding cost

Prices for grinding a stump to standard depth. Cleanup and root removal are usually extra.

Stump grinding is priced by stump width, and the first stump costs the most. HomeGuide says $120 to $400 for the first stump and $30 to $60 for each one after it. Angi says most homeowners pay around $250 to grind a stump, from $30 for a small softwood stump to $1,600 for a large hardwood one. Fixr's 2025 average is $200. All three say companies set minimum fees. If the tree is still standing, price it with tree removal on the same visit.

Do this now: before the grinder comes

1. Call 811 a few business days ahead so buried lines get marked; the service is free.
2. Measure each stump across the top. Most companies price $2 to $6 per inch of diameter (HomeGuide).
3. Note the access. Angi says difficult access adds $50 an hour or a flat fee up to $200.
4. Group the stumps into one visit; minimum fees run $80 to $160 in HomeGuide's figures.

Is stump removal urgent?

Rarely. A stump can wait for a scheduled price, and grouping several stumps into one visit costs less: Angi puts 3 stumps at $180 to $250 in total. The urgent tree jobs are a standing tree that is cracked, leaning or on a wire; see tree removal. A tree on the house may be an insurance claim, so call your insurer first.

Stump grinding cost per inch of diameter

Most companies charge $2 to $5 per inch of stump diameter, according to Angi and Fixr, and HomeGuide says $2 to $6. Fixr's example: an 18-inch stump costs $36 to $90 at those rates, before the minimum fee.

Minimum fees still apply: $80 to $160 in HomeGuide's figures and about $100 in Angi's and Fixr's.

Cost to grind several stumps

Each extra stump costs less once the grinder is on site: about $40 to $75 each in Angi's and Fixr's data, and $30 to $60 in HomeGuide's.

Total price.

Stump grinding vs stump removal

Stump grinding costs less than stump removal: grinding cuts the stump down below the surface, while removal digs the stump out. HomeGuide says standard grinding goes 4 to 6 inches below ground, and full grinding of the stump and roots up to 18 inches deep costs more. Fixr prices grinding at $150 to $300 and full removal at $200 to $700 for an average stump.

HomeGuide, Dec 2025; Angi, Mar 2026; Fixr, Jan 2025.

HomeGuide suggests grinding 6 to 8 inches deep before planting grass. If you plan to build or plant a new tree in the same spot, ask about deeper grinding or full removal. Fixr notes root grinding reaches only about 4 inches below ground, so roots under a planned footing may still need digging out.

Call 811 before stump grinding

Call 811 a few business days before any stump grinding or digging, so utilities can mark buried lines with paint or flags; the service is free. The 811 Before You Dig program lists planting trees and shrubs among the homeowner projects that need a call, and Fixr's stump grinding guide says to call 811 before digging on your property. The ISA adds that locating buried utilities before digging is often required by law, and not to assume lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig.

Damage to buried utilities costs the US about $30 billion a year, according to 811 Before You Dig. Ask the grinding company whether it places the 811 call or expects you to. HomeGuide suggests asking every contractor whether it will call to locate underground lines.

Should you rent a stump grinder

Renting a stump grinder costs $100 to $400 a day in HomeGuide's figures and $100 to $300 a day in Angi's. Fixr lists $100 to $200 for a half day, $200 to $350 for a full day and $600 to $1,000 for a week. Fixr says labor makes up about 90% of a professional grinding price.

Compare that with hiring out: Angi puts a callout for one stump at $100 to $150. If you rent, you still have to call 811 first and clean up the chips yourself. For large stumps or a yard full of them, compare the rental days you would need against a per-stump quote.

Stump grinding cleanup and what is left

Hauling away the grinding debris costs extra: $2 to $4 per inch of diameter in HomeGuide's and Angi's data, or $50 to $200 flat in Angi's. To finish the spot, HomeGuide lists topsoil at $10 to $50 per cubic yard and sod at $1 to $2 per square foot. Ask whether the quote leaves the chips, spreads them or hauls them off.

Stump grinding near me: what to ask before you book

• Per inch or flat rate? Get the price per stump in writing, with the minimum fee and the price for each extra stump.
• How deep? Standard is 4 to 6 inches below grade, HomeGuide says. Ask for more if you plan to plant or build there.
• Who calls 811? Get a yes or no before the visit.
• Cleanup and roots. Ask whether hauling, backfill and surface roots are included. Root removal is hourly in every guide we checked.
• Access. Angi says difficult access adds $50 an hour or a flat fee up to $200. Say if the stump is behind a fence or on a slope.
• Permits. Angi says permits run $100 to $500 depending on the city. Ask the company.
• Proof of insurance. Ask for it, and the license number where your state or city requires one.

Removing the tree and the stump together

If the tree is still standing, ask for removal and grinding on the same quote. Fixr prices tree removal plus stump grinding at about $400 to $1,100 for a medium tree and about $1,100 for a 75-foot tree. HomeGuide prices stump grinding as an add-on at $100 to $500 or more per stump, and Angi at $100 to $150 for the first stump. Tree removal covers cost by height, permits and storm damage, and tree trimming covers the trees you are keeping. If the tree damaged the gutters or roof on the way down, call your insurer before any work starts and do not sign over your claim to a contractor; gutter repair and roof repair list what the repairs cost. For more prices, see the home repair costs table or who to call for other jobs.

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