What is the average price to grind a tree stump?
Most national cost guides put the average price to grind one tree stump between about $120 and $400, with each additional stump in the same visit adding roughly $30 to $60, according to HomeGuide. Many companies price by diameter instead, usually $2 to $6 per inch, with a minimum service fee. Your real number depends on stump size, wood type, access and how many stumps you have.
These are national reference ranges from published cost guides. They are not our prices, and they are not a quote.
What the major cost guides report
Each guide surveys a different set of contractors, so the numbers do not match exactly. Looking at them side by side gives you a realistic planning range.
| Source | Typical price for one stump | Per-inch rate | Minimum fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeGuide | $120 to $400 (first stump) | $2 to $6 | $80 to $160 |
| Fixr | $150 to $300, $200 average | $2 to $5 | Often $100 |
| HomeAdvisor | $150 to $500 for grinding | $2 to $5 | $100 to $150 |
| Angi | $150 to $500 for grinding | $2 to $5 | Not stated |
The overlap is clear. A typical single residential stump lands somewhere around $150 to $400 nationally. Very large stumps cost more. HomeGuide puts extra-large stumps at $300 to $800 each.
Price by stump diameter
Diameter is the biggest single driver of price. A wider stump has more wood to chew through, and that takes more machine time.
HomeGuide’s table of average grinding cost by diameter:
| Stump diameter | Average cost to grind |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 inches | $30 to $70 |
| 24 inches | $50 to $150 |
| 36 inches | $70 to $220 |
| 48 inches | $100 to $290 |
| 60 inches | $120 to $360 |
| 72 inches | $150 to $430 |
Notice that these per-stump figures sit below the “first stump” range. That gap is the minimum fee and trip cost at work. A 12-inch stump might be worth $50 of grinding, but most contractors will not bring a machine out for $50. So a single small stump usually costs the minimum fee, while a yard full of small stumps costs closer to the per-inch math.
How per-inch pricing works
Per-inch pricing is simple. Measure the stump across its widest point at ground level, then multiply by the rate.
- An 18-inch stump at $2 to $5 per inch comes to $36 to $90 (Fixr).
- A 30-inch stump at the same rate comes to $60 to $150 (HomeAdvisor).
Measure at ground level, not at the top of a tall stump. The root flare near the soil is often several inches wider than the cut surface, and that is the wood the grinder has to remove.
What raises or lowers the price
Two stumps with the same diameter can be priced very differently. These are the factors that move the number most.
Wood type. Hardwoods like oak, maple and hickory grind slower than pine or spruce. More time on the machine means a higher price.
Access. A stump next to the driveway is easy. A stump behind a fence with a narrow gate, on a steep bank or tight against a house takes more setup and sometimes a smaller machine.
Number of stumps. The first stump carries the trip and setup cost. After that, HomeGuide reports each extra stump at about $30 to $60. If you have several stumps, do them in one visit.
Surface roots. Grinding the main stump does not include chasing roots across the lawn. HomeGuide lists root removal at $75 to $150 per hour when it is needed.
Rocks and debris. Stones in and around a stump slow the work and wear grinder teeth. HomeAdvisor notes rocky soil can raise costs by 50% or more. That one matters in New England, where many yards sit on stony glacial soil.
Cleanup. Some prices include raking chips into the hole. Others charge separately. HomeGuide lists cleanup and disposal at $2 to $4 per inch when it is a separate line item.
Stump age. An old, soft stump can grind faster than a fresh one. A very old stump can also hide rocks the tree grew around.
What our calculator’s reference rates show
We built a stump grinding cost calculator so you can run your own numbers before you call. It uses reference rates for planning, not final prices.
Here is how the calculator’s reference rates work:
- $3 per inch for softwood (pine, cedar, spruce) and $5 per inch for hardwood (oak, maple, hickory).
- Access adds 20% for moderate access and 50% for difficult access.
- Grinding surface roots multiplies the stump price by 1.75.
- Five or more stumps get a 15% reduction on the subtotal.
- A $150 minimum applies per visit, not per stump.
A few examples using those reference rates:
| Example | Calculator estimate |
|---|---|
| One 18-inch hardwood stump, easy access | $150 (minimum applies; the math is $90) |
| One 30-inch hardwood stump, easy access | $150 (30 x $5) |
| One 30-inch hardwood stump, difficult access | $225 |
| Five 18-inch hardwood stumps, easy access | $382 after the 15% multi-stump reduction |
These numbers sit inside the national ranges above. Your final price comes after we see the stumps, because photos and measurements do not always show buried rocks, roots or tight access.
How to get an accurate price
You can save a round of back-and-forth by sending the right details the first time.
- Count the stumps. Include small ones. They add little cost once the grinder is there.
- Measure each one across the widest point at ground level.
- Take photos that show the stump and the path from the driveway to it.
- Note obstacles like fences, gates, slopes, sheds, irrigation lines or invisible pet fences.
- Decide on cleanup. Do you want chips left in the hole, piled for mulch or hauled away?
Before any grinding below grade, underground utilities get marked through Dig Safe (811). You can read more about how we handle that on our stump grinding page.
Local pages for southern New Hampshire
National averages are a starting point. Local conditions shift the price. Our town pages cover what changes a job in specific places:
- Stump grinding in Goffstown, NH, where we are based
- Stump grinding in Manchester, NH
- Stump grinding in Bedford, NH
- Stump grinding in Nashua, NH
- Stump grinding in Merrimack, NH
Get a price for your stumps
Try the calculator for a ballpark, then call us at (978) 696-6659 or request a quote with your stump count, diameters and a few photos. We are a family-owned, fully insured crew based in Fitchburg, and we will give you a clear number for your property.
Related questions
What is the average cost to grind one tree stump?
National cost guides put a single stump at roughly $120 to $400 (HomeGuide) or $150 to $300 with a $200 average (Fixr). Most published guides also price stumps at about $2 to $6 per inch of diameter. These are reference ranges, not a quote for your yard.
Why does the first stump cost more than the rest?
The first stump carries the cost of getting a grinder and crew to your property and setting up. HomeGuide reports additional stumps at about $30 to $60 each once the machine is already on site, which is why grouping stumps into one visit lowers the cost per stump.
Is cleanup included in the price to grind a stump?
Not always. HomeGuide lists cleanup and disposal at an extra $2 to $4 per inch of diameter when it is charged separately. Ask whether the price covers raking chips into the hole, piling them or hauling them away.
How do I measure my stump for a price estimate?
Measure straight across the widest part of the stump at ground level, including the root flare. Count every stump you want ground and note anything nearby, such as a fence, a slope or a buried line. Those details matter as much as the diameter.