How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?
After chopping down a tree, removing the stump becomes a challenge for many DIY enthusiasts. Grinding is the fastest way to remove a stump. However, this is not something you can easily do on your own. You may need the help of an arborist. But how much does stump grinding cost? Read on to know!
How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost? – Factors That Increase the Cost
There are different types and sizes of tree stumps. There are a host of other factors that can make a stump grinding pretty expensive. Here are some:
- Nearby water or gas pipes
- A narrow access
- Underground cables
- The stump is close to another person’s property
- A garden bed nearby
- Sloping ground
Just Google the term: how much does stump grinding cost? The answers may surprise you. Now you may have some idea about why the task can be expensive. Concrete, iron, and stones on the site can dull the blades of the machine. And if that happens, stump grinding will be more time-consuming. And that will increase the cost.
A Breakdown of Stump Grinding Costs
Stump grinding costs are not proportional to the size of the stumps. It is because when a stump grinding service gives you a quote, they take factors such as setup time and travel into consideration. If the stumps have easy access, here are some estimates of the cost:
- For a stump that is half a meter wide: $100
- For a stump about a meter wide: $160
- For a stump about a couple of meters wide: $330
After stump grinding, you are left with a hole that needs to be filled. For filling the hole, the company will charge some more. Some services may want to take the wood chips. However, wood chips make very good mulch, and that is why you may consider keeping them.
How much does stump grinding cost? As we have stated, there is no straightforward answer to this question because the cost depends on a host of factors. Be clear about these terms when you hire a stump grinding service. When you get a quote from a stump grinding service, ask the service to clarify everything. Ask them what services are included in the price.
Other Possible Costs
If you want just a stump gone, the only thing you have to pay is for stump grinding. However, in most cases, some other possible costs are taken into consideration.
If you need to remove a dead tree, you will have to pay more, because the grinding service will have to remove the dead tree. And felling a dead tree can be hazardous.
Taking factors such as the size and location of the tree, a tree removal company may charge a high fee for felling a tree. If you have a 6-meter tree with a narrow trunk, you may have to spend $500 to have it taken down.
After inspecting the tree, these professionals can issue submitted to the local council. For this, the costs might be as follow:
- For 1 to 5 trees: $75 to $100
- For each additional tree: $20 to $25
- For submission to council: $35
If you want to have a live tree removed, contact an arborist. If the tree is a protected tree but you still need to have it removed, you can try to get council permission. Permits are granted if the tree has a disease or poses a danger to the nearby property. An arborist can inspect your tree and tell you whether the tree can be removed.
If a stump has an extensive root system, it can be harder to remove. In such a case, a stump grinding service will charge a bit higher. The reason is simple: to reach the roots, workers have to excavate.
Experienced stump grinders know the right way to remove the roots. An arborist can determine whether the roots of a particular tree need to be removed. And you can throw the question to the same arborist: how much does stump grinding cost? Getting multiple quotes will help you figure out how much tree companies charge.
Hiring a Stump Grinding Service
Before you hire a company, make sure that the company has personal injury insurance, public liability insurance, and previous clients you can contact. In case a worker gets injured, public liability insurance can be a savior. If an accident takes place, personal injury insurance covers the loss. This is why established tree removal companies take this insurance so seriously.
For stump grinding, hiring a reputable service is important, because the task can be dangerous. Talk to multiple companies and ask the same question: how much does stump grinding cost? And compare the quotes they offer.
Make sure that the company has previous clients you can get in touch with, and ask whether the company is reliable. Talking to previous clients is one of the best ways to learn about the reliability of a company. If the company has a website, you can read customer reviews to learn about the quality of their services.
Workers take precautionary measures when working with stump grinding equipment, especially if there are underground gas lines, water systems and cables near your home. These things make the job a lot more complicated and time-consuming.
There are some arborists that offer stump grinding services as well. How do you know that an arborist has the right qualifications? Well, you can request them to show the license. Ask them if they have a website. If there is any, visit the website and learn about their services. Make sure they serve Danbury, CT as well.
Final Thoughts: How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?
Grinding a tree stump is something that is going to cost you some money. As we have discussed, the cost depends on the width and location of the stump and some other factors.
Since the work involves some risk, it is important to hire a qualified stump grinding service. We hope now you have a good idea about the cost, and you will get the job done smoothly.
No matter the cost, the bottom line is that you need professionals to do the job. Contact a local tree service company to get the task done.