How much should I charge for stump grinding? This is my method to answer that question #71

Just a talking video on how I charge for stump grinding jobs that I've done. I touch on my personal experience in bidding jobs for grinding stumps in my limited experience so far.

[tholi]

We charge approximately 4-6 per inch measuring the widest part of the tree including roots above ground. I would say that was about 120 inches including the root flumes. It would be between $480-$720, probably $600 that would include hauling off the grindings and backfilling with topsoil. We only do it for select clients. We primarily remove trees.

[scotthester]

Good video, good explanations, fair pricing, honest guy. Keep up the good work.

[DougAlesUSA]

Thank you for this video and the rest of the stump grinder related videos.

My woodland mills stump grinder is now in my shop.

Next, I will carefully open the crate with hopes of removing the top, sides, then adding a wheel to each corner of the crates bottom so I can store the grinder on the crate when not in use to easily move it around my shop, when storing or getting it back out.

My intention beyond my own stump grinding needs is not to be a business, but to help family, friends, and neighbors, with those that also help me going to the top of the list and those who never help anyone moving so far down the list that I never get to them.

My SCUT (sub-compact utility tractor) is a John Deere 1025R, plus I have a car hauler for a trailer and a list of attachments such as a loader with bucket and forks, snow blower, box blade, mower, and more. Any attachment I get seems to make my “help other people” list to grow.

However, since I do not charge anything, I maintain strong boundaries. No reason to do free work for cheap millionaires who are strangers. I’m polite but direct as I refer strangers to legitimate businesses like yours or the local equipment rental place.

Any request to borrow my tractor is met with a hard “No.” Any followup as to why is met with “No” is a complete sentence.

[m.jz]

Retired from my tree trimming and and logging business 9 years ago, Have all my equipment.
I find keeping it all was great for me in alot of ways cause I love doing but can't do it all the time anymore.
I still do the work for others in my area, free tree trims and drop logs and only ask for money to cover cost. Lol I have a family that brings me pizza 2 days a week for the last four years, , and others get me stuff all the time even if months go by doing anything for them, love them all.
Bartering is the best seing that money is not a problem at all for me but helping others, thats more to me to see there face after its done knowing they have no way to pay the price..

[traceys]

Never charge by the inch. Charge by job. 250 for that 8’+ stump and 6-8” bellow grade will be a short life for your grinder and your business. You also should have a hourly rate that you stay close to.
Keep in mind on that 250 stump, break some teeth, belt or anything and you just paid to grind someone’s stump.

Grind on.

[xdudex]

I absolutely love my WM24 stump grinder, I’ve done in the neighborhood of 150-200 stumps with my BX. It is so handy to have thanks for the video

[deepnature]

Bought one for my Kubota BX and absolutely love it. So handy. It is built so well that now I want one of their mills.

[beetlefang]

Sounds like you're a fair businessman and have thought out a good plan. Thanks for sharing.

[gbmsisawesome]

Awesome video, I’m looking at getting into this as a side gig too just trying to wrap my head around how much everything will cost getting started and what’s a fair rate for consumers. Thanks for the video man!

[andrewwastien]

i would charge 600 for a stump like that with the stump grinder that i own vermeer 352 because it was gonna take me at least 4 hours if they accept good if they do not its ok too, equipment is not cheap.

[info]

I would bring in a RG80-R for that stump and get it done quickly, I rented a Barrato 30-SG and that was really good for anything up to about 22 inches after that it would get tedious. I had a couple of 24 inch oaks that took a little while. In Florida a guy quoted me $1200 for six hours work I rented the Barrato for $320 and had it all weekend.

[adamfacey]

That is not a $250 stump.... that’s a $600-800 stump. He’s not gonna be in business long

[BigelowWoodcraft]

Nice description on how you charge. I have the same stump grinder and charge much like you however I charge 3/inch. Are we short changing ourselves with the big stumps? The square inch increases quickly as the diameter increases. I've been thinking about this concept. Thank you for the video. Just subscribed.

[hilldweller]

Massive stump, I would charge $1, 000 dollars here in southeast NY, to grind and clean up. Just to grind $750..

[leeellisfabs]

I think your grinding the stumps is worth a premium because of the smaller tractor you use. The guys with the bigger bumper pull grinders tear up properties and simply can't get into the tight areas you can. I have a CK30hst simply because its the largest I can have without turf damage. By the way I love the Woodland Mills grinder also and feel like it was a great purchase years ago!

[mikehydroseed]

Ummm what? Why would you charge by the width? If you had 8 12” trees, would that still be $250? Not trying to insult you but wouldn’t it make more sense to charge by the volume of stump ground? This accounts for length, width and depth. Heck why not also throw in density too?

[col]

Takes a lot less time to to do say 4 stumps equaling 100 inches as opposed to 1 stump of 100 inches. I’m in Australia and I’d charge $500 for that beast.
Need to consider how high above ground it is. What type wood( hard / soft )…. Ricks around it …. Etc etc 😊

[ssprofirewood]

Good information to have. Thanks for sharing! 👍

[mudgem]

Maple used as firewood? no words for that.

[brentdarrin]

I am sorry but your way of charging make snow mathematical sense at all you’re making good money on small stumps and you’re screwing yourself over on large stumps 10 stumps 10 inches in diameter would be 100 inches and you’re saying you would charge the same for one stump 100 inches across well if you knew your geometry you would know that 10 stumps 10 inches across it’s not the same area as one stump 100 inches across You would be doing 90% more work for just 10% of the cost