Once you remove a tree, you will be left with a tree stump that you can decide to remove or use as a garden feature. The cost to remove a tree stump depends on its diameter/size, type of tree, location, and accessibility, availability of grinding equipment, and any obstacles in the area.
The average cost to grind a tree stump is approximately $240. A small tree stump can cost as low as $125 to remove, while a large tree stump can cost as high as $550 to remove, depending on the abovementioned factors.
The cost to remove a tree stump per diameter inch is approximately $24.
If you want to remove your tree stump, it is essential to know how much it will cost to plan a budget for the project. The following table highlights the cost of removing different sizes of tree stumps. Have a look.
| Service | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of stump grinding | 1 inch | $3 | $5 |
| Cost of grinding a Small stump | 6 inch | $45 | $75 |
| Cost of grinding a Small - Medium stump | 10 inch | $75 | $150 |
| Cost of grinding a Medium stump | 15 inch | $100 | $210 |
| Cost of grinding a Large stump | 25 inch | $180 | $330 |
| Cost of hiring a stump grinder | 4 hrs | $170 | $276 |
| Cost of stump grinding labor | 1 hrs | $150 | $150 |
To get the best quotes, make sure you compare two to five companies to know the price range. This way, you will have an idea of what to expect from the project. More so, you will create a working budget for the job to avoid spending more than planned.
Finding a good stump grinding service
There are many tree stump grinding services you can hire to do the job for you. However, you need to do some research to determine what company is the best to hire. The following tips will guide you when looking for a tree stump grinding service near you.
Go Tree Quotes
GoTreeQuotes is a free service that helps you get the best local grinding services. This free service also helps you find the best prices for your project. This is the fastest and easiest way to find reliable stump grinding services near you, and it matches you with 3 local companies.
- Scroll up to the top of the page and enter your ZIP Code in the blue form at the top of the page.
- Give us a few details about your stump grinding job plus some contact information.
- Your tree details are forwarded on to the closest three tree services all voted best priced who will also price your tree job.
Google search
Another easy and fast way to find the best stump grinding service near you is by searching on the web. There are so many companies you can work with, but you should be careful not to fall into the hands of scammers.
Type “local stump grinding service + your town” into Google and several companies will pop up. To get cheaper companies, avoid hiring companies from page one of Google because they tend to overprice their services due to their high marketing costs. Instead, work with companies from page two or three of Google as you will get cheaper quotes
Ask for recommendations
Referrals are the best way to find reliable companies near you. If you know anyone who has hired a stump removal company, ask them for recommendations. Your friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues can recommend you to companies they have worked with.
However, since people’s needs, interests, and preferences differ, it is critical to vet the referrals you get to determine whether they are the right fit for you. Also, ensure they have the right certifications and qualifications.
Check with your local tree council
Your local tree council will have a list of all the certified arborists in the area. It will, therefore, offer you several options for qualified tree stump grinding services. You can request the professionals through the web or go to the office if you have the time.
The good thing about requesting help from a tree council is that you will be certain that the professionals are qualified, insured, and experienced. More so, you will not waste too much time looking for professionals.
Online Services
Besides Go Tree Quotes, which is a FREE online service that matches you with the best tree stump grinding services in your area, you can use other services. These include Yelp, Bing, and Yellow Pages, among others. These services will provide you with many reliable options for local tree stump grinding services.
Hiring a stump grinding service
Before hiring a tree stump grinding service, you must go through a selection process to ensure you choose the best services available locally. The following tips will guide you in choosing the best tree stump grinding service.
Check their qualification
It is critical to know whether the company you are hiring has qualified employees before you decide to work with it. The industry is full of non-skilled professionals, and if you are not careful, you may end up with serious property damage. The experts you hire should be certified and qualified to remove tree stumps.
Get quotes
When looking for the best tree stump grinding service, get at least three to four estimates from different companies. Make sure the quotes are detailed and indicate every aspect of the job. By comparing different companies, you will know which company is the best for the job.
Check online reviews
Online reviews will give you a clear idea of what to expect from the company you are interested in. If there are many negative reviews, you may need to take a step back and consider another company. Also, if the service has too many positive reviews, it is a sign that it is not genuine. Look for detailed positive reviews that point out what the clients like about the company.
Ask for referrals
Even if the online reviews tell you that the company is worth a shot, it is wise to ask around before settling for it. You can contact past clients and ask them about their experiences. Also, look for recommendations from other people to determine whether the company in question is genuine.
Questions to ask a stump grinding service
Hiring a qualified and reputable tree stump grinding service is not easy due to the many professionals available in the industry. The following questions will help you choose the right service and make the hiring process easier.
How long have you been in business?
Experience is built with time. For this reason, it is essential to choose a company that has been in business for over 4 years. Ask the tree grinding service whether it has been operational for more than four years. A company with little experience may not know many tricks and procedures for removing tree stumps safely and quickly.
Do you have insurance?
Public liability insurance is critical to all tree grinding service companies. This is because the process is dangerous, and damages or injuries may occur. For this reason, ask whether the experts have the right coverage. Request for their papers and call the insurance company to check whether the paperwork is genuine.
Will you remove the debris?
Whether you are removing a tree or a tree stump, you will remain with lots of debris that may be challenging to remove. Before you hire a particular company, ask them whether they will remove the debris as well. Also, ask whether the cost for debris removal is included in the tree stump grinding cost.
When will you start?
Knowing when the tree stump grinding company will start the project is essential, especially if you want the stump to be removed as soon as possible. Ask the professionals when they plan to start the work and when they will finish it to help you plan better.
FAQ's
The average cost to remove a tree stump is $200, with a range of $70 to $1200 depending on the tree stump’s size, location, and ease of access. If you DIY the job, you can hire a tree stump grinder for $ 170 to $276 for 4 hours, which will be cost-effective if you are removing many stumps.
However, if you have less than 5 medium or small-size stumps, the amount you will save for hiring the stump grinder and trailer or Ute and fuel will not be worth it.
Grinding a tree stump is a dangerous process that requires optimal safety. Also, you need to have the right gear such as work boots, helmets, eye, and ear protection. Some of the injuries resulting from stump grinders include fractures, loss of limbs, and even death.
The stump grinders are large and powerful machines that need a skilled person to operate them. If you are renting one, ensure the dealer clearly explains and shows you how to safely operate the machine.
Yes, a stump grinding service should have insurance. Stump grinding is a high-risk job that requires professionals to have the right insurance. The two types of insurance coverage a stump grinding service needs include general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.
General liability insurance protects your property in case of damages, while worker’s compensation insurance protects the employees in case of injuries.
This depends on what you want to do with the stump. It is necessary to remove it if you have no use with the stump. This is because it will start to rot and attract many damaging pests like carpenter ants and termites.
On the other hand, you can spruce up your garden using tree stumps and save lots of money. If done correctly, you can create a small sitting table, planter box, garden stools and chairs, and sculptures, among others.
Yes, it is possible to remove a tree stump without a grinder. Other methods include hand removal, which involves digging around the stump with an ax. You can also remove it by burning the stump, but this method is not suitable for an urban environment.
The third way is by using chemicals/salts, but it is not the best process because the chemicals can seep into the garden and kill other plants. All the tree stump removal processes should be done by a professional to avoid accidents and damages.
