Stump Grinding Cost UK: Prices and What Affects Them
How much stump grinding and stump removal typically cost in the UK, what affects the price, and what to expect once the stump is ground out.
A tree stump left in the ground is a trip hazard, a regrowth risk and an eyesore. Grinding it out is a common solution, and the price is easier to estimate than most tree work because it mostly depends on diameter and access.
Typical stump grinding prices
Stump grinders are usually priced by the diameter of the stump, measured across the top, with a minimum charge for the call-out. Typical UK figures are:
| Stump diameter | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Up to about 30cm | around £60 to £120 |
| 30cm to 60cm | around £100 to £250 |
| 60cm to 90cm | around £200 to £400 |
| Over 90cm | often quoted individually |
Many contractors set a minimum fee, often somewhere around £80 to £150, which can make a single small stump surprisingly expensive. If you have several stumps, you often pay far less per stump.
Prices are higher in London and the South East, and for sites that need a smaller machine or hand tools.
What affects the price
- Size and species. Hardwoods and fibrous roots take longer to grind.
- Access. A standard grinder needs a gate of around a metre wide; narrower access means a pedestrian grinder or hand work.
- Surface roots. Grinding large lateral roots adds time.
- Obstructions. Stones, wire, old fence posts and buried services all complicate the job.
- Clean-up. Taking away the wood chips costs extra, but a mound of chippings can be useful as mulch.
Grinding versus other options
Grinding is not the only way to deal with a stump. Alternatives include digging it out by hand, using chemical stump treatments to speed rotting, or leaving it to become a habitat feature or planter. Each has trade-offs in time, effort and cost.
Grinding is quick, usually done in under an hour for a small stump, and leaves the ground ready for turf or planting after a little backfilling.
What happens afterwards
Grinding takes the stump down by around 20 to 30cm below ground level, leaving a pile of woodchip. You can:
- Backfill with soil and turf over the area. Mix the chippings out or remove the bulk, since decomposing wood can temporarily draw nitrogen from the soil.
- Plant a shrub or perennial, but only in a hole you have filled with fresh topsoil.
- Use the chippings as mulch on borders or paths, away from plant stems.
Some species will resprout from roots, such as sycamore, willow or cherry, so be ready to remove suckers as they appear.
Safety and checks
Before the grinder arrives, ask the operator to check for buried services such as gas, water, electric cables, or drains close to the tree. Mark known runs in advance if you have plans. Stump grinding throws debris, so keep children and pets inside and remove ornaments and garden furniture from the area.
Getting a fair quote
- Photograph the stump with something for scale, such as a tape measure.
- Measure the diameter and note any large roots on the surface.
- Mention gate width and distance from the road.
- Ask whether the price includes clearing chippings and levelling.
- If you also need tree felling, ask for the full job quoted together; see tree surgery costs.
Finding help on Compito
You can search your postcode, compare ID-verified local providers and send a request with photos, then accept an offer and pay online. You can message the provider to confirm access and clean-up. Read how it works to see the steps.
Worked example: two stumps in one visit
A homeowner has two stumps: one 35cm across and one 55cm, both in the back garden with a one-metre gate. A contractor quotes a minimum charge for attending and a per-stump figure, and offers a reduced price on the second stump because the machine is already on site. A total in the region of £180 to £350 would be plausible in many areas, higher in London and the South East. Chippings are left in a pile for mulch, and the owner agrees to backfill with soil themselves.
Quote checklist
| Item | Ask |
|---|---|
| Diameter and number | How many stumps and sizes |
| Depth | How far below ground level |
| Chippings | Left, removed or spread |
| Surface roots | Included or extra |
| Access | Gate width and distance |
| Minimum charge | What applies to a single stump |
Special cases
- Protected trees. Check status before any work; see tree preservation orders and conservation areas.
- Stumps near buildings and drains. Tell the contractor, as roots and services may be close.
- Rentals. Landlords usually decide on stump removal.
- Hedges and conifers. Some stumps will not regrow, but ivy and suckers may need clearing.
Doing nothing
A stump can be left as a habitat or planter if it is not in the way. It will slowly decay, and many gardeners simply dress it with ivy or plants. If it is a trip hazard or in the middle of a lawn, grinding is more practical.
Planning the aftermath
Decide in advance what you want in the space, such as turf, planting or paving. A grinder leaves a hollow with chippings, and the work to restore the ground is part of the project, so ask whether the quote includes levelling and soil.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant straight into the ground after grinding?
It is better to remove most of the chippings and replace them with fresh topsoil first. Wood chips left in the planting hole can rob young plants of nitrogen.
How deep does stump grinding go?
Typically around 20 to 30cm below ground level, which is enough for turf or shallow planting but not for large trees or deep-rooted shrubs.
Will the roots keep growing?
Most roots die once the stump is removed, but some species send up suckers for a season or two. Cutting these regularly weakens them.