The published ranges
The figure published on this site for stump grinding on the Sunshine Coast is $150 to $400, depending on the size of the stump.
That is a working band, not a quote. Full excavation of a stump and root plate sits well above it, because the machinery, the spoil removal and the fill are all additional. For the tree work itself, the tree removal cost guide covers the separate ranges.
Five things that move the number
Diameter at ground level. Measured across the root flare, not the trunk. A tree that measures 500mm at chest height can be a metre across where it meets the soil, and the flare is what the machine actually has to cut.
Timber hardness. Camphor laurel, poinciana and most softwoods grind quickly. Spotted gum, ironbark, tallowwood and mature fig grind slowly and consume carbide teeth, which is a real consumable cost.
Access. The factor that surprises people most. A tracked machine that can drive straight in does the job in a fraction of the time a walk-behind machine needs. If your only access is a 700mm side gate, expect that to be reflected in the price regardless of how modest the stump looks.
Ground conditions and contamination. Stumps in old fill, surrounded by rock or pavers, or near a retaining wall take longer because the operator has to work carefully. Anything metallic in the stump - old fencing wire, a star picket, nails - destroys teeth.
Number of stumps. A significant share of the cost of one small stump is transport and setup. The second and third cost only the grinding time.
The separate line items
Ask for these to be itemised so quotes are comparable:
- Removal of the chip versus raking it back into the void
- Clean fill to backfill the hole, if you want it levelled properly
- Surface root chasing, where roots run under paths or lawn
- Turf repair where the machine has crossed the lawn
- Any additional depth required for turf or replanting
Comparing quotes
Two checks matter more than the number.
Confirm the depth. A quote for grinding "to ground level" is not the same as grinding 200 to 300mm below grade, and the first one leaves you with a stump under the turf.
Confirm insurance. A grinder throws material hard, and an uninsured operator who breaks a window, a pool light or an irrigation main leaves you carrying it. Ask for the certificate of currency.
Doing it yourself
For a small stump, hand removal costs nothing but a weekend. For anything substantial the arithmetic favours the machine quickly.
Hiring a grinder yourself is possible but rarely worth it once you add the day rate, the transport, and the fact that an experienced operator will do it in a third of the time.
Getting a price
Ring (07) 5408 6029 with the species, the width across the base, the access width and how many stumps there are. Those four things are enough for a close estimate. If you are still deciding between methods, read grinding versus removal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost?
The guidance published on this site puts stump grinding between $150 and $400 depending on the size of the stump. A narrow softwood stump on open lawn sits at the bottom of that range; a wide hardwood root flare with restricted access sits at the top or above it. Every job is quoted after the stump is seen.
Why is full stump removal so much more expensive?
Because it is a different job. Grinding is one machine and one operator, with nothing to cart in or out. Excavation needs a machine capable of lifting the root plate, a truck to remove the spoil, and clean fill to bring back, so it is priced on machine hours plus disposal rather than on the stump alone.
Is it cheaper to do several stumps at once?
Yes, noticeably. A large part of the cost of a single small stump is getting the machine to your property and off the truck. Once it is on site, each additional stump costs only the time it takes to grind. If you have three, do all three.
Does the price include filling the hole?
Usually not beyond raking the chip back in. Removing the chip and backfilling with clean soil is an additional cost, because it means loading and carting the chip away and bringing fill in. Ask for it as a separate line on the quote if you want it.