Stump Grinding Guides

What people actually want to know

Nearly every call starts with one of three questions: what will it cost, how deep does the stump have to come out, and what happens to the mess. The guides above answer the first two properly. The third is short enough to answer here — unless you ask otherwise, the grindings go back into the hole and get topped off, because that is what most people want and it costs nothing extra. Hauling them away is a separate line on the quote.

Grinding depth is the thing worth getting right

How far down a stump needs grinding depends entirely on what is going on top of it. If you are putting grass over it, six to eight inches below grade is plenty. If you are planting a replacement tree in the same spot, or pouring a slab, or setting posts, it has to go deeper and the roots have to come out with it — and that is a different job with a different price. Telling us which one you are doing changes the quote more than the size of the stump does.

Access decides more than size

A big stump in an open field is often cheaper than a small one in a fenced back yard. The machine has to physically reach the stump, and the width of the narrowest gate or gap on the way is the number that matters. It is worth measuring before you call. A photograph of the stump and a photograph of the way in will usually get you a real price without anyone having to drive out.

Before we grind anything

Underground services are the one thing that stops a job dead. Irrigation lines, low-voltage lighting cable, invisible fencing and septic components are rarely on any map and a grinder will not know it has hit one until it has. If you know where yours run, mark them. If you are not sure, say so and we will work more carefully around the likely lines.

Anything not covered here, ring Jordan and ask. Free estimates, and a straight answer on whether the job is worth doing now or worth waiting for drier ground.