Stump Grinding Cost Northern Beaches: 2026 Price Guide
Stump grinding prices on the Northern Beaches in 2026 by stump size, what changes the quote, grinding versus full removal, depth and what happens to grindings.
| Stump size | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Small Stumps (under 30cm)Smaller stumps with straightforward access and a standard garden finish. | $150–$250 |
| Medium Stumps (30–60cm)Medium residential stumps with a broader root flare or more grinding required. | $250–$400 |
| Large Stumps (60cm+)Large or difficult stumps that need more equipment time, deeper work or extra debris handling. | $400–$600 |
| Multiple StumpsA guide per-stump rate where three or more accessible stumps can be handled in one visit. | $100–$200 each |
General guide prices only. Your written quote states the stumps, grinding depth, surface roots and what happens to the grindings. Ask about combined pricing with tree removal.
Sam · Owner & Local Tree Care Lead
Updated 05 Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Key Takeaways
- 01Guide prices run from $150–$250 for a stump under 30cm to $400–$600 for one over 60cm
- 02Three or more accessible stumps in one visit drop to a guide rate of $100–$200 each
- 03Measure across the widest point at ground level, including the root flare
- 04Grinding depth, surface roots and grindings handling should all be written in the quote
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The Short Answer
Stump grinding on the Northern Beaches is priced mainly by stump diameter: the guide prices above run from $150–$250 for a stump under 30cm across to $400–$600 for a large stump over 60cm. Where three or more accessible stumps can be ground in one visit, the guide rate drops to $100–$200 each. Access, species, roots, grinding depth and what happens to the grindings decide where your stump sits within a band, and your written quote confirms the figure.
How to Measure Your Stump
Measure across the widest part of the stump close to ground level, including the flared base where the roots spread out. That flare is part of what the machine has to grind, so a stump that looks 40cm across at the cut can be wider at soil level. If the stump has several stems or large surface roots, measure and photograph those too.
Once you have the measurement, the bands are easy to read. Under 30cm is a small stump. Between 30cm and 60cm is a medium residential stump, often with a broader root flare. Over 60cm is a large stump that needs more machine time, deeper work or more debris handling.
What Changes the Price
Diameter, root flare and species
Bigger stumps take longer, and broad root flares add to the area being ground. Species makes a difference too: dense hardwoods such as many eucalypts can take longer to grind than softer timber, while palm stumps are fibrous rather than woody.
Access for the grinder
The grinder has to reach the stump. Tell us the width of the narrowest gate or path on the way in, and whether there are steps, steep slopes or tight turns. On the Northern Beaches, sandstone steps and sloping backyards are common, and they change which machine can be used and how long the job takes. Photographs of the full access route help more than a photo of the stump alone.
Grinding depth
How deep the stump needs to go depends on what the area will become. A new lawn, a garden bed, paving and building work can each need a different finish. Ask for the agreed depth to be written in the quote. Rock, concrete or sandstone close to the stump can limit how deep a grinder can safely work, and we will tell you if that applies.
Surface roots
Grinding the stump does not automatically include roots running across the lawn. If you want nominated surface roots ground as well, say so, and make sure they appear in the quote.
Underground services
Water pipes, stormwater, gas, power and communications cables can run near stumps. You can request free plans of underground utility assets through Before You Dig Australia. Those plans may not show private lines on your property, such as irrigation, garden lighting or your own stormwater pipes, so tell us about anything you know is there.
Number of stumps and bundling
Several stumps in one visit cost less per stump because the machine is set up once. Bundled stump-grinding discounts are also available when the grinding is done with a tree removal, so ask for both on the same quote if the tree is still standing. Our tree removal cost guide covers the removal side.
Stump Grinding or Full Stump Removal?
These are different jobs.
Stump grinding uses a machine with a cutting wheel to chip the stump away to below ground level, along with the agreed root flare. The main roots stay in the ground and break down over time. It is quick, makes little mess beyond the grindings and suits most lawns, garden beds and landscaping.
Full stump removal means digging out the root ball. It is a bigger, more disruptive job and leaves a larger hole to fill. It may be needed for some building, drainage or retaining-wall work where roots would be in the way. If that is your situation, tell us early so the right approach can be assessed separately.
Some species can reshoot from the stump base or roots after the tree is removed. If your stump is already sending up shoots, mention it, because it can affect the depth and roots included. Palms behave differently: NSW WeedWise notes that a cocos palm trunk cut below its lowest leaf will not regrow.
Should You Hire a Grinder and Do It Yourself?
Hiring a stump grinder can look cheaper for a single small stump, but compare the full picture: the hire charge, getting the machine to and from your property, protective equipment, the time it takes someone unfamiliar with the machine, and handling the grindings afterwards. Grinders throw chips and stones with real force, and hitting a hidden pipe or cable is costly. If the stump is large, close to the house or paving, or on a slope, a professional job is usually the simpler choice.
What Happens to the Grindings?
Grinding turns the stump into a pile of woodchip mixed with soil, and the pile is usually much bigger than the stump looked. There are three common options:
- Leave the grindings in the hole and spread the rest as garden mulch
- Use some to backfill the hole and remove the rest
- Remove all of the grindings so the hole can be filled with soil for turf or planting
Grindings left in the hole break down and may settle over time, so an area planned for lawn may need topping up with soil. Backfilling, grindings removal and cleanup depend on the written quote, so choose the finish you want before you accept it.
What to Confirm in the Written Quote
- Every stump included, with its rough diameter
- The grinding depth
- Any nominated surface roots
- What happens to the grindings: left, spread, or removed
- Whether backfilling is included
- Any access issues and how they are handled
- The total price, and any combined pricing with tree removal or several stumps
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Send these with your enquiry to help us prepare an accurate written quote:
- The stump, with a tape measure across it at ground level
- A wider shot showing surface roots and anything nearby, such as paving, fences or garden edges
- The access route from the street, including the narrowest point
- Any other stumps you would like done at the same time
- A sentence on what the area will become
How to Compare Stump Grinding Quotes
Make sure each quote covers the same stumps, the same depth and the same handling of grindings. A cheaper quote that leaves a heap of grindings on your lawn is not the same job as one that removes them and backfills the hole. Check that the business is insured; we are, with public liability and workers compensation held.
How We Can Help
We provide free on-site assessments and written quotes for stump grinding across the 47 Northern Beaches suburbs we cover, with no travel surcharge. Whether it is one stump in a front garden or several left from an old removal, send us the photos and we will tell you what is practical for the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our guide prices are $150–$250 for a stump under 30cm, $250–$400 for 30–60cm and $400–$600 for over 60cm. Three or more accessible stumps in one visit are a guide $100–$200 each.
Measure across the widest part close to ground level, including the flared base. Send a photo with a tape measure across the stump and photos of the access route.
No. Grinding chips the stump away below ground and leaves the main roots to break down. Full removal digs out the root ball and is a bigger job, assessed separately.
They can be left in the hole, spread as mulch, or removed so the hole can be filled with soil. What happens depends on the written quote, so choose the finish you want first.
Usually, yes. Bundled stump-grinding discounts are available when the grinding is done with the tree removal, so ask for both on one quote.
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About the author
Sam
Owner & Local Tree Care Lead
Sam owns and leads Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches. He is the main point of contact for many customers and coordinates the right team, equipment and next steps for each job.
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