How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Stump Grinder?

Cost to Rent a Stump Grinder by Time

How much you'll pay for stump grinder rental depends heavily on the size and type of machine you need and how long you need it for. Renting by the hour or for a half day are the most expensive options on a cost-per-minute basis. 

Most people choose to rent a grinder for a full day for small projects, as this gives you a full 24 hours, isn't that much more costly than the half day rate, and covers you if a stump takes longer to remove than you anticipated.

For larger projects, you may want to rent a grinder by the week or, in some cases, per month, which costs more overall but less on a cost-per-minute basis.

Cost to Rent a Stump Grinder by Length of Time

Mini Stump Grinder Rental Price

Mini or compact stump grinders typically range from $60 to $90 per day, or up to $1,000 for four weeks. They cost less than traditional grinders and weigh a lot less. You might not have to rent a trailer to move it. However, this machine only works for small stumps. Talk to a stump removal company near you to see what they recommend.

Stump Grinder Rental Cost Factors

When figuring out the cost of stump grinding, and you're contemplating taking the DIY route, there are several factors that impact the price of the stump grinder rental. How much you'll pay depends on time, grinder type, and where you hire it from. 

Amount of Time

Costs start at $60 per hour, or $200 per day. A full day gives you 24 hours of use and is likely the best value, as it gives you a cushion if you're working on a tough stump to help you avoid a late fee. If you're working on clearing a large area of stumps, then you may find it more economical to rent a stump grinder by the month, which costs around $2,150. 

Stump Grinder Type

Standard stump grinders cost between $200 and $400 per day. Mini grinders cost between $60 and $90 per day, but they're only suitable for small stumps under 10 inches in diameter. For particularly large grinders, you may also need to rent a trailer, which generally adds another $50 to $60 to your cost. 

Brand 

Cost to Buy a Stump Grinder

Buying a stump grinder costs between $1,450 and $19,800, with most models available for less than $3,000. Grinders for construction or large commercial purposes could cost well over $100,000.

DIY Stump Grinding vs. Hire a Pro

Hiring a professional for tree stump removal costs $320 on average. You could very well pay the same amount to grind a stump yourself as you could hiring a pro. It’s worth talking to a tree removal company near you for an estimate.

If you decide to DIY, keep a few risks in mind:

• Safety: If you don’t have the right safety equipment, you could put yourself at great risk of personal injury.

• Size: Rental stump grinders often can only handle rotten stumps or very small ones. If your stump is more than 12 inches in diameter, a rental won’t get the job done.

• Cost: Renting large stump grinders with trailers attached could cost more than hiring a pro.

• Labor: DIY stump grinding is very labor-intensive and takes a long time to complete.

• Mess: You could end up with more of a mess than you expected, due to wood shards and dirt clods.

FAQs

Is it worth it to grind a stump?

Yes, it's worth it to grind a stump if you want to use the area for planting or for building. If the goal is to convert the area into an ornamental or edible garden, getting rid of the tree stump is necessary, as it'll simply be in the way. Plus, it'll rob the soil of nitrogen as it decomposes. 

If you want to put any kind of structure over the area, the tree stump and the roots have to come out. Otherwise, as the stump and the roots decompose, they'll leave voids in the earth, which collapse in on themselves. This puts stress on a structure and can cause the foundation to shift or crack.

How long does it take to grind a stump? 

It all depends on the size and type of the stump. A small, soft stump can take as little as 15 minutes to grind, while a huge, dense tree can take a full 8 hours to get rid of. 

Should I grind or remove a stump?

Grinding a tree stump is usually the right option. However, it doesn't get rid of the roots, so if root removal is important for your future plans, then you'll either need to purchase a separate root removal service or hire someone for a full-service stump and root removal.