Cost of Stump Removal: What You'll Really Pay
That leftover stump in your yard is more than an eyesore. It's a tripping hazard, a magnet for termites and fungus, and it's probably blocking whatever landscaping plan you had in mind. Before you call anyone, you want a real number, not a vague "it depends" answer. The cost of stump removal typically runs between $150 and $500 per stump, though we've seen jobs go higher when the trunk diameter, root system, or access to the property complicates things.
So how much for stump removal specifically for your situation? It comes down to a handful of factors: stump diameter , wood hardness, how many stumps you're grinding at once, and whether roots have grown into a driveway or septic line. A single small stump might cost you $100, while a massive oak stump with a sprawling root network can push past $600.
We've ground down stumps across Vancouver, Portland, and the surrounding Pacific Northwest for over 15 years, so we know what actually drives stump removal pricing in this region. Below, we'll break down the real cost factors, typical price ranges by stump size, and what separates a fair quote from an overpriced one.
Why stump removal costs vary so much
Stump removal pricing isn't a flat rate because no two stumps come out of the ground the same way. A contractor pricing your job weighs stump diameter , wood density, root spread, and how much equipment can actually reach your yard. Two stumps that look similar from the curb can cost wildly different amounts once a crew gets a grinder or excavator on site.
Diameter and root spread drive the base price
Most companies price by the stump's diameter measured across the top, sometimes combined with a per-inch rate. A 12-inch stump might run $75 to $150, while anything over 36 inches can climb past $500 once root flare and depth get factored in. Roots that have pushed under a sidewalk, fence, or septic line add labor time because the crew has to grind carefully instead of just plowing through.
Stump price almost always comes down to diameter first, roots second, and everything else after that.
Wood type and stump age change the labor
Hardwoods like oak and maple resist the grinder longer than softer species like pine or alder, which pushes the price up even when the diameter matches. An older, partially rotted stump can actually cost less to grind because the wood breaks apart faster, but a rotted stump sitting near a foundation sometimes needs hand-digging instead of machine work, which flips the cost equation entirely.
Access and method affect the final bill
Getting a grinder to a backyard stump through a narrow side gate takes longer than rolling equipment straight off a driveway, and that extra time shows up on your invoice. Full stump removal, which pulls the root ball out entirely, costs more than grinding because it involves digging, hauling, and often backfilling the hole, so it helps to know what you'll really pay for stump grinding before you compare the two.
| Method | Typical Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Grinding (grind below grade) | $100–$400 | Replanting grass, quick cleanup |
| Full removal (root ball pulled) | $300–$700+ | New construction, planting a new tree in the same spot |
Working with a licensed and insured crew that quotes based on your actual property, not a generic phone estimate, keeps you from getting surprised by an access fee once the truck shows up, and there are good reasons this work belongs to licensed professionals in the first place.
How to estimate your stump removal cost
Before you pick up the phone, grab a tape measure. Most companies quote stump removal prices based on diameter, so knowing your number before a crew arrives helps you spot a fair quote versus an inflated one. This is also the fastest way to answer "how much stump removal cost" for your own yard without waiting on a callback.
Measure before you call
Stand at the widest point of the stump, usually right at ground level, and measure straight across in inches. Then walk your property and count how many stumps you actually want gone, since most crews drop the per-stump rate when they're already on site grinding a second or third one.
- Measure diameter at the widest point, not the narrowest.
- Note whether roots run toward pavement, pipes, or a foundation.
- Count total stumps needing removal in one visit.
- Check if the area is reachable without removing a fence panel.
Factor in your specific yard conditions
Once you have a diameter, multiply by a rough per-inch rate of $2 to $5 to get a ballpark price for stump removal , then add extra for tight access or root damage to hardscaping. A 20-inch stump at $3 per inch lands around $60, but that number climbs fast once a crew has to hand-dig around a sprinkler line or haul equipment through a gate.
A quick diameter measurement and an honest look at your yard access will get you closer to the real number than any online calculator.
Getting an actual site visit still beats guesswork, since photos rarely show root flare or soil type accurately.
Typical stump removal prices by size and method
Knowing the stump removal cost for your exact stump size takes the guesswork out of budgeting, so here's what we typically quote across Vancouver and Portland yards. These numbers assume reasonable access and average wood density, so a hardwood stump wedged against a fence will land at the higher end, and our project photos of completed stump grinding work show what each situation looks like on the ground.
Small, medium, and large stump price breakdown
Most homeowners searching for stump removal prices want a quick reference before they call around, so use this table as your starting point.
| Stump Diameter | Grinding Price | Full Removal Price |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 inches | $75–$150 | $200–$350 |
| 12–24 inches | $150–$300 | $350–$500 |
| 24–36 inches | $250–$400 | $450–$650 |
| 36+ inches | $400–$600+ | $600–$900+ |
Grinding costs roughly half of full removal for the same stump, and that gap only widens as diameter grows.
Grinding versus full removal cost comparison
Grinding a stump down below grade leaves the root ball in the ground, which keeps the stump removal price lower and the job faster, usually done in under an hour for a mid-size stump. Full removal digs out the entire root system, which means more labor, a bigger hole to backfill, and often a dump fee if the roots are too large to chip on site.
Planning a new tree or a paver patio in that exact spot pushes most customers toward full removal despite the higher cost for stump removal , since roots left behind can still send up new shoots for years.
Ways to save on stump removal costs
Cutting your stump removal cost doesn't mean cutting corners, it means timing the job and bundling the work smartly. A few practical moves can shave real money off the final invoice without sacrificing the clean, damage-free result you're paying for.
Bundle multiple stumps into one visit
Grouping stumps together is the single biggest lever you control. Crews charge a mobilization fee just to bring the grinder out, so removing three stumps in one visit almost always beats three separate service calls. If you've got an old stump from a tree we already removed plus a couple of older ones scattered around the yard, ask for a bundled quote before scheduling anything.
One visit, multiple stumps, one mobilization fee split three ways instead of paid three times.
Schedule during slower seasons
Late fall and winter tend to bring lighter demand for stump removal service cost work in the Pacific Northwest, since most homeowners call in spring and summer. Booking during a slower stretch sometimes opens up better scheduling flexibility and pricing.
Pair it with tree removal you already need
Removing a hazardous tree and grinding its stump in the same appointment saves a second setup fee entirely, and it pays to know what tree removal really costs in 2026 before you bundle. If you're already exploring hazardous tree removal in Vancouver, WA for a diseased or storm-damaged tree, ask us to quote the stump grinding alongside it. Rolling both into one job is one of the fastest ways to lower your total stump removal pricing without waiting for a discount code that doesn't exist.
Planning your stump removal budget
You now know what drives the cost of stump removal : diameter, wood type, root spread, and how easily a crew can reach your yard. Most homeowners land somewhere between $150 and $500 per stump, with bundled jobs and off-season scheduling shaving that number down further. Measuring your stump before you call, and being upfront about fences, sprinkler lines, or septic pipes near the roots, gets you a quote that actually holds once the crew shows up.
Skip the guesswork and the vague phone estimates. Our crew has ground stumps across Vancouver, Portland, and the surrounding Pacific Northwest for over 15 years, and we quote based on your actual property, not a generic per-inch chart. If you're ready for a real number instead of a range, get your free estimate today and end up with a stump-free yard and no surprise fees.
