Published cost guides put stump grinding at roughly $120 to $400 for the first stump, $30 to $60 for each extra stump, or $2 to $6 per inch of diameter, with minimum fees around $80 to $160. Diameter, hardwood vs. softwood, access, surface roots, and chip haul-off drive the total. The only real number for your yard is a written on-site estimate for stump grinding in Simi Valley.
- First stump
- $120 to $400 (HomeGuide)
- Each additional stump
- $30 to $60 (HomeGuide)
- Per inch of diameter
- $2 to $6
- Typical minimum fee
- $80 to $160
- Our grinding depth
- 8 to 12 inches below grade
- Before we grind
- 811 / DigAlert ticket
On this page
- How much does stump grinding cost in Simi Valley?
- Stump grinding cost by diameter
- Minimum charges, multiple stumps, and surface roots
- Grinding depth and chip cleanup: what the price includes
- Stump grinding vs. full stump removal vs. DIY rental
- Call DigAlert (811) before anyone grinds
- Eucalyptus, palms, and other local species
- What happens if you leave a stump?
- FAQs
- Sources
How much does stump grinding cost in Simi Valley?
Most homeowners pay somewhere between $120 and $400 to grind one average stump, according to HomeGuide. Fixr reports a national average of about $200 for a 24-inch stump, with most jobs between $150 and $300. LawnStarter puts its national average at $272 per job, with a typical range of $131 to $438.
None of those figures are our prices, and none of them are specific to Ventura County. They are national ranges from published cost guides, and they give you a fair yardstick before anyone shows up with a grinder. The number that actually matters is the one written on an estimate after a crew member measures your stump, checks access, and looks for roots, rocks, and buried lines.
If you just had a tree taken down, the stump is often the cheapest part of the job. Our tree removal cost guide covers the bigger line item, and you can bundle both into one visit to save a second trip fee.
| Pricing method | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Per inch of diameter | $2 to $6 | HomeGuide |
| Per inch of diameter | $2 to $5 | Fixr, LawnStarter |
| First stump | $120 to $400 | HomeGuide |
| Each additional stump | $30 to $60 | HomeGuide |
| Per hour | $100 to $200 | HomeGuide |
| Minimum service fee | $80 to $160 | HomeGuide |
Contractors measure the trunk at its base, not just the cut face, so a stump that flares at the ground line can price larger than it looks from the patio.
Stump grinding cost by diameter
Diameter is the single biggest price driver. A 10-inch ornamental pear stump in a Texas Tract front yard is a quick pass. A 40-inch eucalyptus stump on a Wood Ranch slope with roots lifting the hardscape is a very different afternoon.
| Stump diameter | HomeGuide range | LawnStarter range |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 inches | $30 to $70 | $40 to $75 (up to 10 in.) |
| 24 inches | $50 to $150 | $75 to $150 (10 to 30 in.) |
| 36 inches | $70 to $220 | $200 to $417 (over 30 in.) |
| 48 inches | $100 to $290 | $200 to $417 (over 30 in.) |
| 60 inches | $120 to $360 | Not listed |
| 72 inches | $150 to $430 | Not listed |
HomeGuide notes that its per-size figures sit on top of a minimum service fee of $80 to $160. That is why a single small stump rarely costs only $30 even though the size chart says it could.
Hardwood adds time. LawnStarter reports that hardwood stumps such as oak can add $50 to $150 per stump compared with softer species, while older, partly rotted stumps tend to grind faster.
Minimum charges, multiple stumps, and surface roots
Every grinding job carries a fixed cost: loading the machine, driving it to your street, unloading, and setting up. That is what the minimum fee covers, and it is why the first stump costs the most.
Once the grinder is in your yard, extra stumps are cheap by comparison. LawnStarter puts the first stump at around $123 and each additional one at $37 to $70. Fixr says many companies discount additional stumps when they are ground in the same visit.
Surface roots are a separate conversation. Standard grinding takes out the stump and the root flare, but it does not chase every root across the lawn. HomeGuide lists root removal at $75 to $150 per hour, and Fixr puts root grinding at $100 to $200 per hour.
- Group every stump on the property into one visit, including the small ones along the fence line.
- Point out surface roots you want gone before the estimate, so they are priced in writing rather than added on the day.
- Ask whether the quote is per stump, per inch, or hourly, and get it in writing either way.
- If a tree is coming down soon, book the grinding with the tree removal so there is only one mobilization.
Grinding depth and chip cleanup: what the price includes
We grind 8 to 12 inches below grade. That is deep enough to lay sod, plant groundcover, or pour a paver base over the spot, and it is deeper than the 4 inches Fixr describes for some root grinding services. If you plan to replant a tree in the same location, say so up front, because that calls for a wider and deeper hole than a lawn patch.
Grinding turns the stump into a pile of chips and soil that is often bigger than the stump itself. You have two options: leave the chips as mulch, or pay to have them hauled away and the hole backfilled.
Leaving the grindings is the budget choice. The downside is that fresh wood chips pull nitrogen as they break down, so grass seeded directly into them tends to struggle. Hauling them off costs more but leaves you a clean, level spot.
| Add-on | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chip and debris haul-off | $2 to $4 per inch | HomeGuide |
| Chip and debris haul-off | $2 to $3 per inch | Fixr, LawnStarter |
| Root removal or grinding | $75 to $200 per hour | HomeGuide, Fixr |
| Topsoil to backfill | $10 to $50 per yard | HomeGuide |
| Mulching after removal | $150 to $400 | Fixr |
Our written estimates spell out whether chips stay or go, so there is no surprise line on the invoice. See what is included on our stump grinding service page.
Stump grinding vs. full stump removal vs. DIY rental
Grinding is not the only way to deal with a stump. Full removal means digging or pulling the stump and main roots out of the ground, usually with an excavator or backhoe. It makes sense when you are building a foundation, pool, or slab in the exact spot, and it costs more.
Renting a grinder looks cheaper on paper. In practice, the rental machines most homeowners can tow are slower than commercial units, they kick debris hard, and the rental fee does not include the trailer, the fuel, or your Saturday.
| Option | Typical cost | Source | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional grinding | $150 to $300 per stump | Fixr | Most yards, lawn or planting beds |
| Full stump removal (excavation) | $200 to $700 | Fixr | Foundations, pools, slabs |
| Full stump removal (excavation) | $175 to $516 | LawnStarter | Foundations, pools, slabs |
| Grinder rental, per day | $100 to $400 | HomeGuide | One small stump, experienced DIYer |
| Grinder rental, per day | $178 to $364 (avg. $260) | LawnStarter | One small stump, experienced DIYer |
| Grinder rental, per week | $600 to $1,000 | Fixr | Large lots with many stumps |
HomeGuide also notes that contractors charge a $150 to $350 minimum just to bring out a backhoe for digging. On a typical Big Sky or Indian Hills backyard with a side gate, a narrow commercial grinder is usually the cleaner route.
If you are clearing a whole parcel rather than one yard, our lot clearing crew handles stumps, brush, and haul-off as one job.
Call DigAlert (811) before anyone grinds
Southern California's one-call center is DigAlert, run by Underground Service Alert of Southern California. A free ticket, requested by calling 811 or online, gets the utilities to mark their buried lines with colored paint before work begins.
DigAlert asks for at least two working days of notice, not counting the day you create the ticket. A working day is a weekday from 7am to 5pm, excluding state and federal holidays. Because grinding uses powered equipment, the homeowner exemption does not apply.
Stumps sit right where utilities like to run. Irrigation mains, gas service lines, and low-voltage landscape wiring often pass within a few feet of a tree that was planted along a driveway on Erringer Rd or a parkway off Los Angeles Ave. We open a locating ticket before grinding, and we build that lead time into the schedule.
- Red paint marks electric power lines.
- Yellow marks gas, oil, and steam.
- Orange marks telecommunications.
- Blue marks water, and purple marks reclaimed water.
- White marks the proposed excavation area.
Eucalyptus, palms, and other local species
Eucalyptus is the stump that comes back. Many eucalyptus species resprout vigorously from the base after cutting, so a stump left at grade in Long Canyon or Santa Susana Knolls can push a ring of new shoots within a season. Grinding below the root crown is the reliable fix.
Palm stumps behave differently. A single-trunk palm grows from one bud at the top, so a cut palm does not regrow from the stump. The trunk is dense and fibrous rather than woody, though, and it winds stringy fiber around the cutting wheel. Expect a crew to price palms on their own terms.
Coast live oak is common across the Simi Hills, and hardwood stumps take longer to grind. Pepper trees, pines, and ash fall in between. If you have a mix in one yard, an itemized written estimate will show each stump separately.
If a tree is declining rather than already down, it is worth a look from our tree health team before you decide on removal and grinding.
What happens if you leave a stump?
Leaving a stump is free on day one and costly later. LawnStarter calls stumps a trip hazard and a haven for termites, carpenter ants, and other pests. Decaying wood next to a slab or wood fence is exactly what subterranean termites look for.
Regrowth is the second problem. Species that sucker or resprout will keep sending up shoots that you have to cut back again and again. The third is mowing: a low stump hidden in tall grass is how mower blades and ankles get damaged.
Stumps also block what you actually want to do with the yard, whether that is new sod, a raised bed, or a play area. If you are planning to replant shade elsewhere, read our tree trimming cost guide for what keeping the remaining trees healthy will run.
Ready for a real number? Call (805) 902-1045 for a free written estimate. We serve Simi Valley neighborhoods including Bridle Path, Wood Ranch, and Big Sky, plus nearby cities like Thousand Oaks and Chatsworth. If a storm already dropped the tree, our emergency removal and insurance guide explains what your policy may cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to grind one stump in Simi Valley?+
Published national cost guides report roughly $120 to $400 for one average stump, with minimum service fees of about $80 to $160. Large hardwood stumps in tight spots can run higher. Those are guide ranges, not our prices. For a firm number, call (805) 902-1045 and we will measure the stump and put the price in writing before any work starts.
Is stump grinding priced per inch or per stump?+
Both methods are common. Cost guides report $2 to $6 per inch of diameter, measured at the base of the trunk, or a flat rate of $120 to $400 for the first stump and $30 to $60 for each additional one. Some contractors bill hourly for big multi-stump jobs. Ask which method your quote uses and get it in writing.
How deep do you grind a stump?+
We grind 8 to 12 inches below grade. That depth works for new sod, groundcover, or a paver base over the spot. If you want to plant a new tree in the same hole, tell us during the estimate, because replanting calls for a wider and deeper grind. Learn more on our stump grinding page.
Is grinding cheaper than full stump removal?+
Usually, yes. Fixr reports professional grinding at about $150 to $300 per stump versus $200 to $700 for full removal, which digs out the stump and main roots. Full removal only makes sense when you are building a foundation, pool, or slab in the same spot. For lawns and planting beds, grinding is the practical choice.
Should I rent a stump grinder myself?+
Cost guides list grinder rentals at about $100 to $400 per day. That can work for one small, soft stump if you have a truck, a trailer, and experience with the machine. Rental units are slower than commercial grinders, throw debris hard, and still require an 811 DigAlert ticket before you start, so most homeowners come out ahead hiring a crew.
Will a eucalyptus or palm stump grow back?+
Many eucalyptus species resprout strongly from a cut stump, so grinding below the root crown is the reliable way to stop regrowth. A single-trunk palm grows from one top bud, so a cut palm stump does not regrow, but its fibrous trunk is slow to grind. Either way, an on-site look tells you what the job involves.
Sources
Price ranges above come from these published cost guides and public agencies. They are national or regional averages, not a quote. Your real price comes from a written, on-site estimate.
