Tree Stump Removal Cost: 2026 Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Tree stump removal cost ranges from $200 – $1,200 per stump, depending on stump diameter, grinding depth, root spread, access, slope, cleanup, debris hauling, and local labor rates.
Small stumps in open areas cost less, while large stumps, hardwood stumps, deep root systems, tight access, nearby utilities, rocks, and full root removal can raise the price quickly.
Cost Calculator
Tree Stump Removal Cost Calculator
Estimate tree stump removal pricing based on number of stumps, stump diameter, grinding depth, root flare, root removal needs, stump age, wood hardness, access for grinding equipment, slope, nearby utilities, rocks, cleanup level, chip removal, backfilling, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 1 stump
$200 – $1,200
About $200 – $1,200 per stump
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment & Disposal | $50 | $300 |
| Labor | $150 | $900 |
| Estimated tree stump removal cost | $200 | $1,200 |
| Removal cost per stump | $200 | $1,200 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Tree Stump Removal Cost vs Value
Tree Stump Removal may recover about 20%–45% of its cost.
Bottom line: Tree stump removal costs depend on stump diameter, grinding depth, root spread, access, cleanup, and whether the job includes chip removal, backfilling, or full root extraction.
Worth it: Remove a stump when it creates a trip hazard, attracts insects, blocks mowing, interferes with landscaping, or sits where a patio, fence, lawn, or new planting will go.
Skip it: If the stump is small, hidden, not in the way, and you do not need the roots removed, leaving it or grinding only the visible stump may cost less.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
Contractor Reality Check
Tree stump removal is usually priced separately from tree removal because it requires different equipment and cleanup. Grinding the stump below grade is the most common option, while full stump and root removal costs more because it requires heavier digging, more labor, and more yard repair afterward.
My rule of thumb: Ask whether the quote includes grinding depth, surface root grinding, chip removal, backfilling, topsoil, cleanup, and whether underground utilities need to be marked before work begins.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Stump count: Confirm how many stumps are included and whether multiple stumps receive a lower per-stump rate.
- Stump diameter: Ask how the contractor measures diameter, especially if the stump has a large root flare.
- Grinding depth: Confirm how far below grade the stump will be ground, especially if you plan to plant grass or install landscaping.
- Root work: Ask whether surface roots, major roots, or full root removal are included.
- Access: Confirm whether the grinder can reach the stump through gates, slopes, fences, steps, or narrow side yards.
- Cleanup: Ask whether chips, dirt, debris, backfilling, and final raking are included.
- Buffer: Budget 10% to 25% for large root flares, deep grinding, poor access, rocks, utility concerns, and chip hauling.
Surprise Costs That Move the Price
| Item | Why It Adds Cost | Typical Add |
|---|---|---|
| Large stump diameter | Wide stumps take longer to grind and create more chips to remove or spread. | $100 – $700+ |
| Deep grinding | Grinding deeper below grade costs more but may be needed for grass, planting beds, or future hardscaping. | $75 – $400+ |
| Surface root grinding | Visible roots around the stump may need extra passes with the grinder. | $100 – $800+ |
| Chip removal | Grinding creates a large pile of wood chips and soil that may not be hauled away unless listed in the quote. | $75 – $500+ |
| Full stump extraction | Digging out the stump and roots costs more than grinding and usually leaves a larger hole to repair. | $500 – $2,500+ |
Tree Stump Removal Cost by Stump Size
| Stump Size | Typical Diameter | Removal Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small stump | Under 12 inches | $100 – $350 each |
| Medium stump | 12 – 24 inches | $200 – $600 each |
| Large stump | 24 – 36 inches | $400 – $1,000 each |
| Extra-large stump | 36+ inches | $700 – $1,800+ each |
Tree Stump Removal Cost by Method
| Removal Method | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic stump grinding | $200 – $1,200 each | Most lawn, yard, and landscaping projects where the stump only needs to be removed below grade. |
| Deep stump grinding | $300 – $1,500 each | Areas where grass, soil, mulch, or shallow planting will cover the former stump location. |
| Stump grinding with root flare | $400 – $1,800+ each | Large trees with visible roots spreading across the yard or near walkways. |
| Full stump and root removal | $700 – $3,500+ each | New construction, fencing, patio work, major regrading, or areas where roots must be removed. |
| Multiple stump removal | $100 – $600 each | Several stumps handled during the same visit with shared equipment and setup time. |
Tree Stump Removal Cost by Project Size
| Project Size | Typical Scope | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| One small stump | Easy access, shallow grinding, light cleanup | $100 – $350 |
| One average stump | Standard stump grinding, chips left on site or light cleanup | $200 – $1,200 |
| Stump plus chip removal | Grinding, cleanup, hauling, and basic backfilling | $300 – $1,700+ |
| Multiple stumps | Several stumps completed during one visit | $500 – $3,500+ |
Is Tree Stump Removal Worth It?
Tree stump removal is worth it when the stump creates a trip hazard, attracts insects, blocks mowing, interferes with landscaping, or sits where a patio, fence, lawn, driveway, or new planting will go.
Skip it: If the stump is small, hidden, not in the way, and you do not need the roots removed, leaving it or grinding only the visible stump may cost less. Compare the Tree Removal Calculator, Small Tree Removal Calculator, Large Tree Removal Calculator, or Tree Trimming Calculator.
References – Tree Stump Removal Cost
- International Society of Arboriculture: Why Hire an Arborist
- OSHA: Tree Care Industry Safety
- U.S. Forest Service: Tree Information
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated: 6/27/26
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