Stump grinding costs $100 to $400 on average per HomeGuide, or about $250 with most jobs between $120 and $500 per HomeAdvisor and Angi – sister brands sharing one dataset.1,2,3 Pros charge $2 to $6 per inch of stump diameter, with minimum service fees of $80 to $160.1,2*
$100 – $400
average, HomeGuide
$250
average job, HA/Angi
$2 – $6
per inch of diameter
$80 – $160
minimum service fee
Quick math: a single 12-inch stump measures $24 to $72 at the $2 to $6 per-inch rate – our multiplication – but minimum callout fees ($80 to $160 per HomeGuide, $100 to $150 per HomeAdvisor and Angi) usually govern, so one small stump lands near $100 to $160.
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026 (HomeAdvisor and Angi share one dataset, so count them as a single estimate):
| Measure | HomeGuide1 | HomeAdvisor / Angi2,3 |
|---|---|---|
| Per inch of diameter | $2 – $6 | $2 – $5 |
| Average job | $100 – $400 | $250 average, $120 – $500 typical, up to $1,600 |
| First stump | $120 – $400 | $100 – $150 minimum |
| Each additional stump | $30 – $60 | $40 – $75 |
| Minimum fee | $80 – $160 | $100 – $150 |
| Hourly rate | $75 – $200 | $50/hr for difficult terrain, or flat up to $200 |
| By diameter, 12 in | $30 – $70 | $124 – $160 |
| By diameter, 24 in | $50 – $150 | $148 – $220 |
| By diameter, 36 in | $70 – $220 | – |
| By diameter, 48 in | $100 – $290 | – |
| Debris / chip haul-away | $2 – $4 per inch | $50 – $200, or $2 – $4 per inch, or $50/hr |
| Permit (if required) | – | $100 – $500 |
Why the diameter rows look different: HomeGuide’s diameter table is the raw per-inch math, while HomeAdvisor’s bakes in its $100 to $150 minimum fee – a 24-inch stump is $48 to $120 at the per-inch rate, then the minimum lifts it. The per-inch rates themselves agree closely ($2 to $6 vs $2 to $5).
What pushes the price up
Diameter: the single biggest factor – measure the base where it flares out of the ground, not the cut surface, per HomeGuide.1
Wood hardness: hardwood stumps like oak, maple and walnut can add up to 20% per HomeAdvisor; Angi notes harder species take more time and bigger grinders.2,3
Terrain and access: rocky soil, slopes or a stump far from where the truck can park – expect about $50 per hour extra or a flat fee up to $200 per Angi.3
Root removal: full root-system removal runs $75 to $200 per hour per HomeGuide.1
More stumps cost less each
Per-stump pricing drops fast with volume. Angi’s multi-stump table: 1 stump $100 to $150, 2 stumps $140 to $175, 3 stumps $180 to $250, 4 stumps $220 to $325, 5 stumps $260 to $400. HomeGuide structures the same discount as $120 to $400 for the first stump plus $30 to $60 per additional.1,3
Grinding vs full removal vs rotting
Grinding is the common choice – the stump goes several inches below grade and the chips can stay as mulch (see our mulch cost guide). Digging out runs $80 to $190 per stump with a $150 to $350 minimum per HomeGuide. Chemical rotting costs $100 to $200 but takes months. Afterward, budget resodding the spot – our sod cost guide has current numbers. If the tree itself still needs to come down, see tree removal cost.1
Three worked examples (we did the math)
| Project | At HomeGuide | At HomeAdvisor / Angi |
|---|---|---|
| One 18-inch stump | $36 – $108 per-inch math, but $80 – $160 minimum governs | $136 – $190 (table includes minimum) |
| Three 12-inch stumps | $120 – $400 first + 2 x $30 – $60 = $180 – $520 | 3-stump table: $180 – $250 |
| One 24-inch hardwood stump + haul-away | $50 – $150 + chips $2 – $4/in = $98 – $246 | $178 – $264 with 20% hardwood premium + $50 – $200 debris = $228 – $464 |
These are example projects, not quotes – diameter, species, terrain and your region set the real number.
Related guides and tools
Tree removal cost | Tree trimming cost | Mulch cost | Sod cost | Land clearing cost
FAQ
How much does stump grinding cost per inch? $2 to $6 per inch of diameter per HomeGuide; $2 to $5 per HomeAdvisor and Angi. Minimum fees of $80 to $160 mean small stumps rarely cost the per-inch math.1,2,3
Is it cheaper to grind multiple stumps at once? Yes – additional stumps run $30 to $60 each per HomeGuide, or $40 to $75 per Angi, versus $100 to $150 for a lone stump.1,3
Do I need a permit to grind a stump? Sometimes, especially with utility lines underneath – $100 to $500 where required per HomeAdvisor. Call 811 before any digging regardless.2
Can I remove a stump myself? Chemical rotting runs $100 to $200 and burning $50 to $200 per HomeGuide, but both are slow and burning is restricted in many areas. Renting a grinder costs roughly a pro visit for one stump.1
Sources
- HomeGuide – Tree Stump Removal Cost
- HomeAdvisor – Stump Grinding Cost
- Angi – How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by diameter, species, terrain and region. Get at least three itemized quotes.