How do I price stump grinding?

Stump grinding is usually priced by stump size, because the diameter drives how long the machine works. Many companies set a rate per inch of diameter and add a minimum charge for small stumps and travel. Your own rate should come from your cost per hour and your target margin, not from a number you heard elsewhere.

Other factors change the price. Hard access, such as a narrow gate or a steep slope, slows the work. Roots above ground add work. Rocks, fences and buried lines are hazards. Ask the customer about utilities, and call the free utility locating service before you dig or grind in the US.

Think about depth and cleanup. Does the customer want the hole filled with chips, the chips hauled away, or topsoil added? Each choice changes time and disposal cost. Put it in the quote.

Think about multiple stumps. A group of stumps on one visit is easier to price because setup and travel are shared. Offering a clear discount for a group can help win the job.

Grinding is also a natural add-on to a removal. Quote it as a separate line, so the customer can choose.

Try our stump grinding estimator with your own numbers. It gives an estimate to think with, not a quote.