Average Stump Grinding Cost in Utah
Most stump grinding jobs in Salt Lake and Utah County run $150 to $600. A typical single backyard stump lands around $200–$300. The number is driven mostly by the width of the stump at its widest point (including the root flare), how far the grinder has to travel from the truck, and how deep you need it ground.
Stump Grinding Cost by Stump Diameter
| Stump size | Typical trees | Utah price range |
|---|---|---|
| Small stump (under 12" wide) | Ornamentals, young fruit trees, shrubs cut low | $150 – $200 |
| Medium stump (12–24") | Maple, ash, pear, most park-strip trees | $150 – $300 |
| Large stump (24–36") | Blue spruce, Austrian pine, older maple | $300 – $450 |
| Extra large (36"+) | Cottonwood, silver maple, Siberian elm | $450 – $600+ |
| Clustered stumps (Gambel oak) | Several trunks from one root system | Priced as one job |
| Surface root grinding | Runners lifting lawn, sidewalk, or driveway edges | Quoted with the stump |
Small stump grinding cost (under 12")
Ornamental pears, small maples, and fruit-tree stumps grind out in well under an hour. Expect $150–$200 for a single drive-up small stump anywhere along the Wasatch Front.
Large stump grinding cost (24" and up)
Cottonwood, silver maple, and mature spruce stumps are wide at the flare and often sit on a spread of surface roots. Those run $300–$600+ depending on width, grind depth, and how much root chasing the yard needs.
Does Stump Grinding Include Cleanup?
Yes — every quote includes raking the grindings back into the hole, tamping it level, and blowing off adjacent walks and driveways. Hauling the excess chips off site is the one optional add-on, and we price it up front so nothing changes on the day.
Multiple Stump Discounts
Getting the machine to your property is a big share of the cost of one stump. Once it's there, every extra stump is much cheaper — which is why we price clusters and lot clears as a single job rather than stump by stump.
- 1 stumpFull price — covers the trip and setup
- 2–3 stumps, same visitAbout 15–20% off each additional stump
- 4+ stumps or a full lot clearPriced by the hour or as a flat lot price — usually the biggest savings
- Neighbors booking togetherSame-street jobs share the trip charge
What Affects Stump Grinding Prices?
Stump diameter and root flare
We measure across the widest point of the stump, flare included. A stump that looks like 18 inches at the cut is often 26 inches at the flare, and that's the number the grinder actually has to chew through.
Access
A drive-up front-yard stump is the cheapest job we do. Backyard stumps through a standard 36-inch gate are still routine. Steep bench lots in Draper and Sandy, or stumps behind a locked fence line, take longer to reach and cost a bit more.
Grind depth
Standard is 6–12 inches below grade — enough for sod, seed, or landscape rock. Going deeper for a planting hole, a footing, or a fence post adds machine time.
Surface roots
Cottonwood, silver maple, and Siberian elm throw wide surface runners that lift lawn, sidewalks, and driveway edges. We grind those down with the stump so you can patch or re-sod in one pass — quoted together, not as a separate visit.
Chips: keep them or haul them
A ground stump produces a surprising pile of chips. Keep them for your landscape beds and the price drops; have us haul them out and that gets added to the quote.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal Cost
Grinding is cheaper and faster for nearly everyone. Full removal — excavating the root ball — is more disruptive to the lawn and costs meaningfully more, and it's only worth it when you're pouring concrete or planting a replacement tree in the exact same spot. If a live stump is sending roots into a sewer or sprinkler line, tell us; that changes the recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stump Grinding Cost
How much does stump grinding cost in Utah?
Most stump grinding jobs along the Wasatch Front run $150 to $600. Small stumps under 12 inches are typically $150–$200, medium stumps $150–$300, and large cottonwood or silver maple stumps $450–$600 or more. Price is driven by stump diameter, access, and how deep you need the grind.
Is stump grinding cheaper than stump removal?
Yes. Grinding chews the stump 6–12 inches below grade and leaves the chips, so it's faster and cheaper than excavating the entire root ball. Full removal only makes sense when you're pouring a footing or planting a new tree in the exact same hole.
Do you charge less for multiple stumps?
Almost always. Most of the cost of a single stump is getting the machine to your property. Once the grinder is on site, each additional stump is roughly 15–20% cheaper, and a full lot clear is priced as one job.
Does the price include hauling the chips away?
Haul-away is available and quoted with the job. Many homeowners keep the chips for landscape beds, which knocks the price down.
Can I get a stump grinding price without a site visit?
Yes — text a photo of the stump with a shoe or tape measure in frame to (801) 747-9875 and we'll reply with a firm price, usually within a couple of hours.
Get a Free Stump Grinding Quote
Text a photo of the stump — with a shoe or tape measure in the frame for scale — to (801) 747-9875 and we'll reply with a real price, usually within a couple of hours. No site visit, no sales pitch, no price changes once we show up.
