{
  "slug": "stump-grinding-cost",
  "title": "Stump Grinding Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Stump Grinding Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/stump-grinding-cost",
  "summary": "Per-inch diameter pricing, multi-stump discounts, and a minimum service call fee.",
  "description": "Stump grinding companies almost universally price by the diameter of the stump measured across the top, since diameter correlates closely with how long the grinder has to run and how much root mass needs to be chewed through. This calculator applies a per-inch rate to your stump's diameter, applies a minimum job charge (since even a small stump requires mobilizing a grinder truck), and applies a modest per-stump discount when grinding multiple stumps in the same visit since mobilization is a one-time cost. 2026 US national averages run about $2-$5 per inch of diameter, with a typical minimum service call of $100-$175 for a single small stump, and a 10-20% per-stump discount common on jobs with 3 or more stumps ground in one visit. Larger stumps (30+ inches), stumps with extensive surface roots, or stumps in tight-access backyards often carry a surcharge on top of these base numbers — get a specific quote for oversized or hard-to-reach stumps.",
  "formula": "Per-Stump Cost = max(Minimum Fee, Diameter × Rate per Inch). Multi-stump jobs apply a per-stump discount after the first stump.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=stump-grinding-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "diameterIn",
      "label": "Average stump diameter",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "inches",
      "min": 4,
      "max": 60
    },
    {
      "id": "stumpCount",
      "label": "Number of stumps",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 20
    },
    {
      "id": "ratePerInch",
      "label": "Rate per inch of diameter",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3,
      "unit": "$/in",
      "min": 1,
      "max": 8
    },
    {
      "id": "minimumFee",
      "label": "Minimum service call fee",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 125,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 50,
      "max": 300
    },
    {
      "id": "multiDiscountPct",
      "label": "Discount per additional stump",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 30
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "totalCost",
      "label": "Total stump grinding cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "firstStump",
      "label": "First stump cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "perStumpAvg",
      "label": "Average cost per stump",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "additionalRate",
      "label": "Cost per additional stump",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Average stump diameter: 18 inches",
      "Number of stumps: 1",
      "Rate per inch of diameter: 3 $/in",
      "Minimum service call fee: 125 $",
      "Discount per additional stump: 15 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Total stump grinding cost: $125",
      "First stump cost: $125",
      "Average cost per stump: $125",
      "Cost per additional stump: $106"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter average stump diameter (inches).",
      "Enter number of stumps.",
      "Enter rate per inch of diameter ($/in).",
      "Enter minimum service call fee ($).",
      "Enter discount per additional stump (%).",
      "Read your total stump grinding cost on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "diameterIn": 11,
        "stumpCount": 1,
        "ratePerInch": 1.7999999999999998,
        "minimumFee": 75,
        "multiDiscountPct": 9
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "diameterIn": 18,
        "stumpCount": 1,
        "ratePerInch": 3,
        "minimumFee": 125,
        "multiDiscountPct": 15
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "diameterIn": 29,
        "stumpCount": 2,
        "ratePerInch": 4.800000000000001,
        "minimumFee": 200,
        "multiDiscountPct": 24
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Does stump grinding remove the roots too?",
      "a": "No — grinding chews the stump and visible surface roots down to several inches below grade, but the deeper root system remains in the ground and decomposes naturally over several years. Full root removal (stump extraction) is a separate, more expensive service."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why do companies charge minimums for tiny stumps?",
      "a": "Mobilizing a grinder, trailer, and crew to a site costs the company money regardless of stump size, so even a 4-inch stump usually costs close to what an 18-inch stump costs unless it clears the diameter-based rate — hence the minimum service call fee."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is it worth grinding multiple stumps in one visit?",
      "a": "Yes — since mobilization is the biggest fixed cost, doing 3-5 stumps in a single visit typically saves 10-20% per stump compared to scheduling separate visits, because the crew is already on-site with equipment running."
    },
    {
      "q": "What should I do with the wood chip pile left after grinding?",
      "a": "Most companies leave the ground-up wood chip debris on-site unless you pay extra for haul-away; it can be reused as mulch, though fresh stump grindings should be composted or aged for several months before use near living plants."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tree-trimming-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/mulch-delivery-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dumpster-rental-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Stump Grinding Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/stump-grinding-cost)"
}