How much does stump grinding cost in the UK?
Stump grinding costs £150 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £90 and £300 per stump. Stump size: Small £90 to £140, Medium £130 to £220, Large £200 to £300. Prices reviewed July 2026.
Stump grinding usually costs between £90 and £300 per stump in the UK, with most people paying around £150. The price depends mainly on the diameter of the stump, how hard the wood is and how easy it is to get the grinder to it.
Stump grinding cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your stump grinding in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
To price the whole job, use the tree removal cost calculator.
Stump grinding cost breakdown
Typical stump grinding costs, by option:
| Stump size | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Small, under 12 inches across | £90 to £140 |
| Medium, 12 to 24 inches | £130 to £220 |
| Large, over 24 inches | £200 to £300 |
What's included in the price?
Typical stump grinding prices include:
- A visit from a tree surgeon with a mechanical stump grinder
- Grinding the stump down to about 6 to 8 inches below ground level
- Grinding out the larger surface roots that are in the way
- Raking the ground back to level and tidying the work area
What changes the price?
The things that move stump grinding prices most:
The diameter of the stump measured across the top
How hard the wood is, as oak, beech and yew take longer
Access to the stump, such as narrow gates or distance from the van
How deep it needs grinding, especially before paving or building
Whether you want the wood chip taken away
How many stumps are ground in the same visit
These are why two quotes for the same job can differ, and the only way to know your price is to get prices from local firms (through Bark; we may earn a fee, at no extra cost to you).
How the price is built up
The price covers the call-out, moving the grinder into position and the time spent grinding the stump and surface roots below ground level. Bigger and harder stumps take longer, poor access slows the job, and taking the chip off site adds around £25 to £50. Stump grinding is almost all labour and machine time, with no materials beyond fuel for the grinder. Any charge for taking the wood chip away is a disposal cost rather than materials.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Have all your stumps ground in one visit to spread the minimum charge
- Leave the wood chip on site to use as mulch instead of paying for disposal
- Book direct with a local tree surgeon rather than through an agency
- Ask for a shallower grind if you are only re-turfing, as extra depth costs more
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, stump grinding typically costs around £180, about 20% above the UK average of £150. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £150.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £90 | £150 | £300 |
| London | £110 | £180 | £360 |
| South East / South West | £95 | £160 | £320 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £85 | £150 | £290 |
Guide prices per stump, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Stump grinding cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £85 | £140 | £290 |
| Birmingham | £90 | £150 | £300 |
| Bristol | £95 | £160 | £320 |
| Cardiff | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Edinburgh | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Glasgow | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Leeds | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Liverpool | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| London | £110 | £180 | £360 |
| Manchester | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Newcastle | £85 | £150 | £290 |
| Sheffield | £85 | £150 | £290 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for stump grinding, not quotes.
Tree surgeons in London and the South East charge the most; the North, Wales and Scotland are often £20 to £40 cheaper per stump.
Compare this with a real quote
The figures above are guide prices. Two or three quotes for your stump grinding tell you what it costs where you live.
Free and no obligation. You answer a few questions on Bark, local pros get in touch, and you decide who, if anyone, to hire. We may earn a fee, at no extra cost to you.Common questions
How much does stump grinding cost in 2026?
About £90 to £300 per stump, with most people paying around £150. A small stump under 12 inches across is usually £90 to £140, while a large hardwood stump over 24 inches can reach £300 or more.
What affects the price of stump grinding?
Mainly the diameter of the stump and how hard the wood is. Poor access, grinding deeper for a patio or foundation, having the wood chip taken away and doing several stumps at once all change the price.
Is it cheaper to grind several stumps at once?
Yes. Most firms have a minimum charge of £80 to £150 to cover travel and setting up, so doing three or four stumps in one visit costs far less per stump than booking them separately.
Can I grind a stump myself?
You can hire a stump grinder for around £100 to £150 a day plus fuel, which can pay off for several stumps. For one stump the hire, the risk and the learning curve usually make a local pro better value.
How long does stump grinding take?
A single stump is often done in 20 to 60 minutes once the grinder is in position. A garden with several stumps or difficult access can take up to half a day.
Is grinding better than digging the stump out?
Grinding is faster, cheaper and far less mess than digging the whole root ball out. Full removal costs more and leaves a large hole, so grinding is the usual choice unless you need the ground fully clear for building.
What safety kit do I need to grind a stump myself?
Eye and hearing protection, boots and gloves, and a check for buried services before you start. HSE's leaflet on mobile stump grinders (AFAG606) lists a mesh visor or safety glasses, hearing protection where the noise level exceeds 85dB(A), boots with good grip and ankle support, gloves with reinforced palms and fingers, and non-snag clothing. It also says to check the site for underground services, clear stones and metal from the stump, and screen people and property from flying debris. If the hire shop does not supply the kit, add it to the cost before comparing the hire with a tree surgeon's minimum charge.
Official guidance and sources
The rules and schemes referenced on this page come from these official UK sources. The price figures are Costwise's own; see how we price.
- Mobile stump grinders (AFAG606) HSE · HSE's safety leaflet for stump grinder operators: the protective equipment to wear, checking for underground services, clearing stones and metal from the stump, and screening against flying debris.
Cite this data
These figures are free to use in articles, reports and research under a CC BY 4.0 licence. All we ask is a credit to Costwise, and online a link. Where your style allows, please make "Costwise" the linked word so readers can check the figure for their own region.
Costwise (2026): Stump grinding typically costs £150 in the UK, ranging from £90 to £300. Reviewed July 2026. costwiseuk.co.ukSource: Costwise (costwiseuk.co.uk)Costwise (2026). Stump grinding cost. Costwise UK cost data, version 2026-10-12. https://costwiseuk.co.uk/stump-grinding-cost/2026-10-12 (158 jobs)Dataset DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21159943 · also on Kaggle, Hugging Face and Figshare. Method: how we price. Downloadable CSV.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.