Cost guide
How much does stump grinding cost?
Diameter at ground level sets the grinding price, with UK averages near £225 for a single stump. Most contractors carry a minimum charge of £80 to £150 that covers travel and machine transport, which is why the second stump on a visit is far cheaper than the first.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Small stump, under 30cm across | £60 to £150 |
| Medium stump, 30cm to 60cm | £120 to £250 |
| Large stump, over 60cm | £250 to £500 |
| Three or four stumps on one visit | £150 to £350 |
| Full excavation rather than grinding | £150 to £400 |
| Day hire of a stump grinder | £50 to £150 |
Per hour grinding rates are rarely published; contractors quote per stump or per inch of diameter instead. Backfilling with imported topsoil and chip removal are separate charges that few price lists show, so ask for both in writing.
What moves the price
- Diameter measured across the cut face, quoted at £2 to £5 per inch depending on the contractor.
- Gate width. Machines that fit 750mm openings work slower than the tracked grinders used on open sites.
- Depth specification. Turf needs about 200mm; a slab or shed base needs deeper grinding and imported topsoil.
- Root spread. Buttressed species such as poplar and willow take far longer than a compact birch of the same diameter.
- Chip disposal. Leaving the arisings on site is free; carting them away is priced with the rest of the green waste.
Who quotes for it
2 of the 18 gardeners listed on this site take on stump grinding.
Most of them in one place: Shrewsbury (1), Telford (1).
Questions about stump grinding
Can the ground be planted straight after grinding?
Woodchip left in the hole locks up nitrogen as it breaks down, which stunts new planting. Removing the chip and backfilling with topsoil gives a bed that performs from the first season.
Is hiring a grinder cheaper than paying someone?
Machine hire runs £50 to £150 a day plus collection, fuel and safety kit, which is close to the price of one stump done by a contractor. Hire makes sense across four or five stumps, not one.