Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Total stump grinding cost
$125
First stump cost
$125
Average cost per stump
$125
Cost per additional stump
$106
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How to use this
- 1Enter average stump diameter (inches).
- 2Enter number of stumps.
- 3Enter rate per inch of diameter ($/in).
- 4Enter minimum service call fee ($).
- 5Enter discount per additional stump (%).
- 6Read your total stump grinding cost on the right — it updates as you type.
- 7Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
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 %
Results
- Total stump grinding cost: $125
- First stump cost: $125
- Average cost per stump: $125
- Cost per additional stump: $106
What each field means
Inputs
- Average stump diameter (inches)
- The average stump diameter used in the calculation, measured in inches. Starts at 18 inches so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 4–60 inches.
- Number of stumps
- The number of stumps used in the calculation. Starts at 1 so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–20.
- Rate per inch of diameter ($/in)
- The rate per inch of diameter used in the calculation, measured in $/in. Starts at 3 $/in so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–8 $/in.
- Minimum service call fee ($)
- The minimum service call fee used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 125 $ so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 50–300 $.
- Discount per additional stump (%)
- The discount per additional stump used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 15 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–30 %.
Results
- Total stump grinding cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- First stump cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Average cost per stump
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Cost per additional stump
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Does stump grinding remove the roots too?
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.
Why do companies charge minimums for tiny stumps?
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.
Is it worth grinding multiple stumps in one visit?
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.
What should I do with the wood chip pile left after grinding?
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.
Accuracy and 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.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Stump Grinding Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/stump-grinding-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/stump-grinding-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stump Grinding Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Stump Grinding Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/stump-grinding-cost) (2026).