Quick guide
How to measure your stump
Stump grinding is priced by diameter — but only if you measure the right thing. Use the widest point of the visible stump including the root flare. That's the number we use for pricing.
Real pricing, posted right on the site. $3–$4 per inch, $150 minimum, most jobs $150–$600.
Pricing across Lake Country and the broader Waukesha County area is consistent across most reputable grinders — the variation comes from add-ons (cleanup, topsoil, multiple stumps) and from job-specific factors like access and species. This page lays out exactly what we charge and how the price gets calculated, so you can ballpark your job before you even call.
Here's what we actually quote for common stump sizes:
| Stump diameter | Grind only | + Haul-away | + Topsoil & seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 inches (small ornamental) | $150 (minimum) | $190 | $270 |
| 14 inches (typical residential) | $150–$195 | $220–$265 | $330–$375 |
| 20 inches (mature maple) | $240–$320 | $340–$420 | $540–$620 |
| 30 inches (large oak/cottonwood) | $360–$480 | $510–$630 | $810–$930 |
| 40+ inches (old growth) | $480–$720+ | $680+ | $1,080+ |
Multi-stump jobs almost always work out cheaper per stump because we only travel and set up once. If you have 3+ stumps to grind, ask for a multi-stump quote.
Stump grinding is priced by diameter — but only if you measure the right thing. Use the widest point of the visible stump including the root flare. That's the number we use for pricing.
Send us a photo and rough measurement. We'll text you a real price within an hour.
The five factors we look at when quoting:
Measure across the stump at its widest — including the root flare. That's the number we charge against.
Oak and old maple grind slower than pine, willow, or dead ash. Very old hardwoods can push the per-inch rate to $4.
Front-yard, drive-up access is the default rate. Backyard-only with a narrow gate (under 36") can add $50–$100.
Default is 4–6 inches below grade. Deeper (8–12 inches for replanting a tree) costs more.
Rocky soil, hidden rebar/concrete, or buried debris can damage cutter teeth and add cost.
You'll occasionally see quotes around $75–$100 advertised. Two things to watch for:
First, those rates often only apply to grinding to grade level — meaning the visible stump is gone but 6+ inches of wood and the entire root system stay underground. That works if you don't care about the spot, but it's a problem if you want to plant grass (the wood blocks roots) or anything else there.
Second, "grind only, you handle the chips" sounds like a deal until you realize a 14-inch stump produces about a 30-gallon yard waste bag of mulch you have to deal with. We include basic chip cleanup at our standard rate.
Lake Country and Waukesha County pricing runs roughly in line with greater Milwaukee. Slightly cheaper than Madison (where competition is thinner) and Door County (where travel costs everything more). Our $3–$4 per inch is the regional standard. Be skeptical of quotes much above $5/inch unless your stump has unusual access, depth, or species complications.
Most Waukesha stump grinding companies charge by stump diameter — typically $3 to $4 per inch — with a minimum job charge of $100 to $150. We charge $3–$4 per inch with a $150 minimum.
The cheapest legitimate stump grinding in Waukesha is around $100–$150 for a small single stump (under 10 inches diameter) on accessible ground. Quotes much lower than that usually skip the cleanup or only grind to grade level, leaving roots that re-sprout.
Five things drive the price up: stump diameter (more wood = more grinding time), root flare size, hardwood species (oak and old maple are slower than pine), tight access (fenced yards or backyard-only access need smaller equipment), and grind depth requirements (deeper grinds for replanting cost more than grade-level grinds).
Yes, significantly. Stump grinding in Waukesha runs $150–$600 per stump. Full stump removal — pulling out the entire root ball with an excavator — typically costs $400–$2,000+ per stump and leaves a large hole that needs fill. Grinding is the right call for ~90% of homeowners.
Basic cleanup (sweeping the chips into a pile or back into the hole) is included. Full debris haul-away is $5 per inch of stump diameter. Topsoil and grass seed restoration is $10 per inch.
Most quotes back within 1 business hour, 7am–7pm Mon–Sat. We'll text you a price estimate.
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing reflects current Lake Country and Waukesha County market rates and our actual quote ranges.
