An old tree stump can take up a surprising amount of space in a Surrey garden, and many homeowners in Dorking and Reigate ask us the same thing: what will it cost to get rid of it? For most gardens the answer is stump grinding, which removes the stump below ground in a few hours without digging up your lawn. Here’s what stump grinding typically costs, what makes a job cheaper or dearer, and how to get an accurate price.
Quick answer: how much does stump grinding cost?
As a rough guide, stump grinding in the UK costs:
- Small stumps (under 30cm across): around £60–£120
- Medium stumps (30–60cm): around £100–£200
- Large stumps (over 60cm): around £200–£400 or more
Most contractors have a minimum charge for bringing the grinder out, often £80–£150, so it’s usually better value to have several stumps done in one visit. Digging a stump out completely, roots and all, is a much bigger job and typically costs £250–£800 or more per stump.
These are national guide prices. Every job is different, so the only way to know the real cost is a quote. South East Tree Surgeons give free, no-obligation quotes for stump grinding in Dorking, Reigate and across Surrey.
What affects the cost of stump grinding?
Size of the stump
Diameter is the biggest factor. A large oak or beech stump can take several times longer to grind than a small conifer, and the grinder has to work across the full width and down below ground level.
Access
After size, access makes the most difference. Our grinders fit through most garden gates, but steps, sloping gardens, narrow side passages between houses or a stump in the middle of a raised bed all add time. If the machine can’t be driven to the stump, the job takes longer and costs more.
Type of tree
Hardwoods such as oak, beech and ash are slower to grind than softer woods. Oak and beech are common in gardens around the Surrey Hills, and large old stumps of either can take a good while to grind out.
Roots and depth
A standard grind takes the stump down to around 15–30cm below ground, which is enough to lay turf or plant over. If you’re putting in a patio, foundations or a new hedge in the same spot, you may need deeper grinding or surface roots removing too, which adds to the cost.
What’s nearby
Stumps close to walls, fences, drains, pipes or cables have to be ground carefully, and sometimes partly by hand. Let us know about any services you’re aware of when you ask for a quote.
Clearing up
Grinding turns the stump into a pile of wood chippings. You can keep them to use as mulch or to fill the hole, or we can take them away and backfill with topsoil. Removal and topsoil usually add £40–£150 per stump, depending on size.
Number of stumps
Because the minimum charge covers bringing the machine out, the price per stump drops when there are several to do on the same visit. If you’re having trees felled, it’s often cheapest to have the stumps ground at the same time.
Stump grinding or stump removal: which do you need?
Stump grinding uses a machine with a rotating cutting wheel to chip the stump away below ground level. The roots are left to rot down naturally. It’s the right choice for most gardens: it’s quick, causes very little disturbance and costs much less.
Stump removal (digging out) means excavating the stump and the main roots. It’s only really needed if you’re building on the spot, for example foundations, or if you need the ground completely clear of roots. It leaves a large hole and takes much longer.
If you’re not sure which you need, we can advise when we visit. You can read more about the whole process in our guide to what happens during a tree removal.
How long does stump grinding take?
Most single garden stumps take between 30 minutes and two hours to grind. A large hardwood stump or several stumps in one garden can take most of a day. We’ll give you an idea of timing when we quote.
Is it worth grinding a stump?
Leaving a stump can be fine in a wild corner of a garden, but in most cases grinding is worth it because:
- stumps can sprout new growth, particularly from species such as sycamore, willow and laurel
- rotting stumps can attract fungi, including honey fungus, which can spread to other trees and shrubs
- they’re a trip hazard and get in the way of mowing
- you get the space back for lawn, planting or paving
How to get an accurate price
To give you an accurate quote we’ll ask for:
- roughly how wide each stump is and how many there are
- photos of the stumps and the route to them, including gates and steps
- whether you want the chippings left or taken away
- what you plan to do with the area afterwards
If you’re having trees felled as well, ask for the stump grinding to be included in the same quote. See our guide to tree removal costs in Dorking and Reigate for the felling side.
Stump grinding in Dorking, Reigate and across Surrey
South East Tree Surgeons provide stump grinding and stump removal for homes, estates and businesses across Surrey, including Dorking, Reigate, Redhill, Leatherhead, Horley and the surrounding villages. We’re a qualified and fully insured team, and we can combine stump grinding with tree felling and removal so the job is finished in one visit.
FAQs
How much does it cost to grind a small tree stump?
A small stump under 30cm across typically costs £60–£120 to grind, but most contractors have a minimum charge for the visit, so one small stump on its own often costs the minimum call-out.
Is stump grinding cheaper than digging a stump out?
Yes. Grinding is usually a fraction of the cost of digging a stump out, because it’s quicker and doesn’t involve excavating the roots or filling a large hole.
Will the roots grow back after stump grinding?
Most species won’t regrow once the stump is ground well below ground level. A few vigorous species can send up shoots from the roots for a while; these can be cut back and will stop as the roots die.
Can I plant in the same spot after grinding?
Yes, once the chippings are cleared and the hole is filled with topsoil. It’s best to plant slightly to one side of the old stump where possible, as the old roots take time to break down.
Do I need permission to grind a stump?
Not usually. If the tree was protected by a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area, check any conditions attached to the felling consent. Our guide on whether you need permission to cut down a tree in Surrey explains the rules, including Mole Valley and Reigate & Banstead councils.
What happens to the wood chippings?
You can keep them as mulch for borders or paths, use them to fill the hole, or we can take them away for you.
Get a free stump grinding quote
If you’ve got a stump you’d like gone, contact South East Tree Surgeons for a free, no-obligation quote. Send us a photo and the approximate size, and we’ll let you know the cost and when we can fit you in.