Stump grinders quote by the inch because grinding time follows the width of the stump. The measurement is the diameter at the widest point above ground, and the rate is applied to every inch, with a trip charge on top. This guide walks through that arithmetic using the unit prices in the EstiCube stump grinding calculator.
All figures are national planning numbers, not a quote. Your contractor may price differently, so use the examples to understand how a quote is built, then enter your own prices in the calculator.
How the per-inch rate works
The calculator uses two rates. The first stump is $3.50 per inch of diameter, and every additional stump on the same visit is $2.50 per inch. The lower second rate reflects that the crew is already on site with the machine set up. A flat $75 trip charge is added once per job, and the job is never less than a $125 minimum.
The default job is three stumps of 18 inches each. The first stump is 18 x $3.50 = $63, and the other two are 2 x 18 x $2.50 = $90, so grinding is $153. Adding the $75 trip charge gives $228. With 54 inches of stump in total, that works out to about $4.22 per inch.
| Line | Cost |
|---|---|
| First stump: 18 in x $3.50 | $63 |
| Two more stumps: 36 in x $2.50 | $90 |
| Trip charge | $75 |
| Total (54 inches of stump) | $228 |
What one stump costs at different sizes
A single stump carries the whole trip charge and gets the higher first-stump rate, so its cost per inch is the highest. The table shows one stump at standard depth with open access.
The 12-inch stump is the minimum job: $42 of grinding plus the $75 trip charge is $117, which is raised to $125. A very small stump has a cost per inch well above a large one for that reason.
| Stump diameter | Grinding | Total | Per inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | $42 | $125 (minimum) | $10.42 |
| 18 in | $63 | $138 | $7.67 |
| 24 in | $84 | $159 | $6.63 |
| 30 in | $105 | $180 | $6.00 |
| 36 in | $126 | $201 | $5.58 |
Why more stumps lower the cost per inch
Two things push the per-inch figure down as the stump count rises: the trip charge is spread over more inches, and every stump after the first uses the $2.50 rate. The table uses 18-inch stumps at standard depth and open access.
Going from one stump to three raises the total about 65% ($138 to $228) while tripling the inches. If you have a few stumps on a property, having them done in one visit is the cheapest way to do it under this model.
| Stumps (18 in each) | Total | Per inch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $138 | $7.67 |
| 2 | $183 | $5.08 |
| 3 | $228 | $4.22 |
| 5 | $318 | $3.53 |
| 10 | $543 | $3.02 |
Depth and access multipliers
Two conditions scale the grinding line, but not the trip charge or the extras. Standard depth is about 8 inches below grade. Deep grinding, about 12 inches and intended for replanting, multiplies the grinding line by 1.3. Tight access, such as gates, slopes or hand-carrying equipment, multiplies it by 1.2.
On the default three-stump job, deep grinding takes the grinding line from $153 to $199 and the total to $274. Tight access takes it to $184, for a total of $259. Both together give a grinding line of $239 and a total of $314, which is about $5.81 per inch.
Roots, chips and backfill
The extras are priced per stump. Surface root grinding is $45, chip removal is $30 and backfill with topsoil and seed is $35. On the three-stump default job they add $135, $90 and $105. With all three switched on the total is $558, or about $10.33 per inch, so the extras can matter more than the grinding.
The calculator also estimates the loose chips left behind. For the default job it is about 0.3 cubic yards, because ground wood is bulkier than solid wood. Decide whether you want the chips hauled off, kept for mulch or used to fill the hole before you compare quotes.
Reading a quote and staying safe
A good quote shows the diameter it assumed, how many stumps, the depth, and which extras are included, so you can reproduce it. If a quote is a single number, ask for the breakdown. A tree care professional can also advise on whether a stump needs grinding at all, and the International Society of Arboriculture's Trees Are Good site explains what arborists do and links to a way to find one.
Grinding goes below the surface, and the 811 site says to contact 811 before any digging, regardless of depth, because some buried lines are only inches deep. Ask whether the line locating has been requested before the machine arrives, and tell the contractor about any known irrigation, electrical or other lines near the stump.
- Diameter used for each stump, measured at the widest point above ground.
- Whether the price is per stump or per inch, and the trip charge.
- Depth below grade and whether surface roots are included.
- What happens to the chips, and whether backfill is part of the price.
Run your numbers with the Stump Grinding Cost Calculator
Change any unit price to match your quote and see every line item add up. It is free, needs no sign-up and works on your phone.
Open the Stump grinding calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost per inch?
In this calculator the first stump is $3.50 per inch of diameter and additional stumps are $2.50 per inch, plus a $75 trip charge and a $125 minimum. The default three-stump job is $228, or about $4.22 per inch overall. Your local quote may differ.
How do I measure a stump for a quote?
The calculator uses the diameter at the widest point above ground, in inches. For several stumps, measure each one and use a typical diameter, or run the calculator for the large and small groups separately.
Why is a small stump more expensive per inch?
The trip charge and the $125 minimum job are fixed costs. A 12-inch stump is $125 in the calculator, about $10.42 per inch, while a 36-inch stump is $201, about $5.58 per inch.
Is grinding more expensive if I want to replant?
Replanting usually calls for deeper grinding. The calculator's deep option, about 12 inches, multiplies the grinding line by 1.3, so the three-stump default job goes from $228 to $274.
Do I need to call 811 for stump grinding?
The 811 site says to contact 811 before any digging, regardless of depth. Grinding removes wood below grade, so ask your contractor whether line locating has been requested, especially if you know of buried lines near the stump.
Sources
- Trees Are Good: tree care information for homeowners — International Society of Arboriculture
- Call 811 Before You Dig — Common Ground Alliance