Usually not. Most tree removal quotes cover cutting the tree down and, sometimes, hauling it away. Stump grinding is often a separate line item, or left out and offered as an add-on.
Need this done? See stump Grinding in Greenville, SC or call (864) 555-0142.
That is not a rule, and some companies do bundle the two. The only way to know is to read the written estimate and ask.
Why is the stump a separate job?
Cutting a tree down and grinding its stump use different equipment. A climbing crew with chainsaws and ropes does the first. A stump grinder, a wheeled machine with a spinning cutter wheel, does the second. Some companies own both, and some send a different crew or a subcontractor for the stump.
Because the machine has to be hauled to the yard and set up, grinding has its own minimum charge, even for a small stump. That is why it shows up as its own line.
What does a tree removal quote usually cover?
A typical quote names the tree, then lists what the price includes. Read yours for these items:
- cutting the tree down and cutting it into pieces
- hauling away the logs and branches, or leaving them
- chipping the branches
- grinding the stump
- cleaning up sawdust and small debris
If the stump line is missing, assume it is not covered. Ask the company to put a yes or no next to it.
How do you compare two quotes fairly?
Ask each company for two prices: removal with the stump left, and removal with the stump ground. Then compare the totals. A company that looks cheaper because it left the stump out may cost more once you add the grinding.
Also check how deep the grinding goes, whether the chips are hauled away and whether the company charges extra for roots that show above ground. Those details change the real price. Read how much stump grinding costs in Greenville for what moves the number.
Can you leave the stump in place?
Yes, and many people do. A stump left in the ground rots slowly over years, but it can sprout shoots, attract insects and catch the mower. If it sits at the back of the yard where nobody goes, leaving it may be fine. If you plan to plant, build or mow over the spot, grind it.
Some people leave a tall stump on purpose, to carve it or use it as a planter. If that is you, tell the crew before they cut, so they leave it at the height you want.
Can you grind the stump later?
You can. A stump does not have to be ground when the tree comes down. The stump gets harder to deal with the longer it sits, because roots spread and the wood can rot unevenly, but a grinder can still handle an old stump. Booking both at once often saves a second trip charge, since the crew is already on site.
What about stumps from a storm?
A tree that comes down in a storm often leaves a different kind of stump: a ragged break, or a root ball tipped up out of the ground. A crew may not be able to cut a clean stump in that case. A root ball needs different work than a grinder can do. If the tree uprooted, describe what you see, and the crew can tell you what the job will take. See emergency tree service if the tree is still on the house.
What should you ask before you say yes?
Four questions cover most of it. Is the stump included, yes or no? How deep will it be ground? What happens to the chips? And is there a minimum charge?
Put the answers in writing, and keep the estimate until the job is done. If you are comparing a tree removal company that grinds stumps with one that does not, add the price of a separate stump visit to the second one.
Ready to get a price for the tree and the stump?
Call or send the estimate form with the tree, the stump and what you plan to do with the spot. We will tell you what the job takes and what goes into the price, stump included or not.
Need help with this?
See our stump Grinding page for how it works and typical prices, or call (864) 555-0142 and tell us what you’re looking at.