What published estimates say stump grinding costs
The most common published pricing is per inch of stump diameter. LawnStarter's stump grinding price guide, updated October 2026, lists $2 to $5 per inch with a minimum fee of about $100, and an average job of $272 within an overall range of $131 to $438. HomeYou's Hernando County, Florida page, dated October 2026, lists $2 to $3 per inch, a $100 minimum with some companies, and $60 to $350 per stump depending on size.
Other reported figures came from search results, not pages we opened. A Jacksonville guide was described as saying most professional services charge $3 to $5 per inch and $5 to $7 for stumps over 36 inches, with minimum fees of $100 to $150 for stumps under 12 inches. A Keystone Heights contractor was reported at $3.00 per inch and $3.50 for pine. These are third-party estimates and not a Polk County price survey.
Per-inch pricing versus flat fees
Per-inch pricing multiplies the stump's diameter, measured across the top, by a rate. A 20-inch stump at $2 to $5 per inch comes to $40 to $100 on paper, which is at or below the typical $100 minimum, so the minimum would usually apply. Flat pricing by size bracket gives a similar answer. LawnStarter lists stumps up to 10 inches at $40 to $75, 10 to 30 inches at $75 to $150, and over 30 inches at $200 to $417.
The brackets and the per-inch rates do not line up perfectly, and the largest stumps are where they differ most. Big stumps take longer, can need a larger machine, and often have more surface root to grind. Ask whether a company prices by diameter, by the stump or by the hour. LawnStarter lists hourly labor at $125 to $200 for the work, which matters for big or awkward jobs.
Minimum charges and multiple stumps
A crew has to move a heavy machine to your yard for every job, so a small stump costs nearly as much as a medium one. That is why the published minimum charge sits around $100 in several sources. One search result described an $83 minimum in Orlando, which was the only figure of that kind we found, so we treat it as an outlier.
Prices fall when a crew grinds several stumps in one visit. LawnStarter lists about $123 for the first stump and $37 to $70 for each additional one, and HomeYou's Hernando page lists $120 to $150 for the first and $40 to $60 for each additional stump. If you have more than one stump, or a neighbor does, ask for a combined price.
Our rough planning range
This is our rough reading of the published figures, not a quote and not a Polk County price survey. For a single stump, the minimum charge of roughly $100 to $150 covers most stumps up to about 12 inches across (the $150 top rests on a search-result figure we did not open). For stumps of about 12 to 30 inches, roughly $100 to $150 is where the published per-inch ($5 times 30 inches is $150) and flat-bracket figures overlap. Stumps over 30 inches run higher, from about $200 to $420 or more, and the price depends on size and access.
These figures assume grinding only. Extras such as hauling chips, root removal, filling the hole and permits can add to the total, and the sections below explain each. A price that looks low may be leaving the extras out, so ask what the number includes.
What changes the price
Diameter is the main factor, followed by access. A stump in an open front lawn is easier than one behind a locked gate, near a pool cage, or on a slope where the machine cannot be driven in. Species and age matter. LawnStarter lists hardwoods such as oak at an extra $50 to $150 per stump, and both LawnStarter and HomeYou say older, rotten stumps are cheaper to grind because the wood is softer.
Rocky soil, buried material and dense roots that spread above ground also add time. Hourly crew rates apply when the job is unusual. Check for utilities before work begins: call 811 before any digging near a stump, a step the LawnStarter guide recommends.
What is and is not included
Published prices usually cover grinding the stump itself. LawnStarter's guide does not say what the base price includes, and it lists several items as separate. Roots are not automatically included, since roots can remain after grinding and root removal is listed at $103 to $198 per hour. Wood chips and debris removal are listed at about $2 to $3 per inch, so chips may be left on site unless you pay for hauling.
Grinding depth and filling the hole are not addressed in the sources we opened, and companies handle them differently. Ask the crew how deep it will grind below grade, whether it will rake the chips back into the hole or haul them off, and whether it will bring in topsoil. Put the answers in the written estimate so two quotes can be compared fairly.
DIY rental versus a crew
LawnStarter lists stump grinder rental at $178 to $364 per day, averaging $260, and says DIY grinding can take one to three days. It also says the work needs significant physical effort and some skill to operate the equipment safely, and that the savings on labor are generally spent on tool rental and safety gear. For one small stump, the rental price alone can be above a crew's minimum charge.
Doing it yourself starts to make sense mainly when you have several stumps, open ground and some experience with heavy machinery. LawnStarter advises hiring a professional if the stump is near your house or a utility line. A grinder throws chips and can kick up debris, so eye and ear protection are minimum gear.
What to do afterward
After grinding you are left with a mound of chips and a hollow. Many tree-service guides recommend removing most of the chips, filling the spot with good topsoil, and leaving it a little high because the area can settle. Decaying wood can use up soil nitrogen, which is why filling a hole with chips alone often leaves a weak patch of grass. We did not find UF/IFAS guidance on this specific step, so treat that as general practice.
To bring back turf, level the patch and lay sod or plant grass once the topsoil is in. Our guides How to Lay Sod in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide and How Much Does Sod Installation Cost in Florida? cover the steps and what published prices say. If the stump came from a tree you plan to replace, ask the crew how far the roots extend before planting, and see Florida-Friendly Plants That Thrive in Polk County for choices. If the stump came from a tree removal, ask whether grinding was part of that price before you book it separately.
Sources
Written by the Polk County Landscaping editorial team. Rules and prices change, so check the linked agency before you act. Spotted a mistake? Send a correction.
