What the price actually covers
Stump grinding means a machine chews the stump down 6 to 12 inches below grade, leaving behind wood chips and a hole you can fill with topsoil. Most quotes include hauling away the grindings, though some crews charge extra for that. Full stump removal, where the root ball is excavated and pulled out, costs significantly more and is rarely necessary unless you're replanting in the exact same spot.
The $110 to $140 national range assumes one stump on an open suburban lot. Multiple stumps on the same visit usually drop the per-stump price because the crew is already there with equipment loaded.
What changes the price
Stump diameter is the most direct driver. A 12-inch pine stump and a 30-inch oak stump both fall in the same national range at baseline, but wood density matters. Hardwoods like oak and hickory wear down grinding teeth faster, and some contractors charge more for them.
Access is the other big factor. A stump sitting 80 feet from the nearest gate, behind a fence, or on a steep slope costs more because getting the machine there is harder. If the crew has to hand-dig around surface roots before grinding, expect the quote to climb.
Hazards add cost too. A stump with utility lines nearby, a buried irrigation system, or a septic tank in the area requires slower, more careful work.
How prices vary by state
TreeNerd's cost model uses Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data to adjust prices by state. The spread is real.
Low-cost states:
- Alabama: $90 to $120
- Mississippi: $90 to $120
- Oklahoma: $90 to $120
High-cost states:
- Hawaii: $150 to $190
- Washington DC: $140 to $180
- California: $140 to $180
The difference comes mostly from labor rates and equipment operating costs, not from stumps being harder to grind in one place versus another.
Permits and local rules
Stump grinding almost never requires a permit on its own. You're removing something already cut down, not altering a live tree. That said, if you're in a historic district or a neighborhood with a tree ordinance, check before you schedule. A few municipalities require documentation that the original removal was permitted. If your contractor pulled the permit for the original tree removal, they'll know what applies.
Always call 811, the national dig-safe line, before any grinding job. It's free and required by law. A grinder can destroy a gas line or fiber conduit in seconds.
How to get an accurate quote
Measure the stump diameter at ground level before calling anyone. Know whether you want the grindings hauled off or left to fill the hole. Tell the contractor about any access constraints, buried lines you know about, and whether you want the area graded after.
Get at least two quotes in person. Phone quotes without a site visit are unreliable. Use TreeNerd's cost estimator to get a localized number based on your state and stump size before you call anyone.