Grinding unwanted stumps and selected surface roots so the space can be used again.
Stump grinding from
$150
Stump grinding clears the visible stump and agreed root flare so the area can be prepared for lawn, garden beds, paving, access, or new planting. The required depth depends on what you plan to do with the space and whether nominated surface roots also need attention.
The team checks stump size, species, access, nearby services, fences, walls, paving, and garden areas before choosing the equipment and grinding depth. Grinding is usually the practical option; full root-ball excavation may be more suitable where construction needs the entire root mass removed.
Stump grinding is usually booked when the remaining stump interferes with how the area needs to be used, maintained, or prepared.
The right stump removal approach depends on the stump size, access, root flare, surface roots, and what you want to do with the area afterwards.
Best for
Most residential tree stumps where the area will become lawn, mulch, planting, or a general garden bed.
How it works
We grind the visible stump and root flare below ground level so the area can settle, be backfilled, and be reused without leaving a raised stump.
Best for
Stumps under planned paving, slabs, paths, retaining walls, driveways, pools, or other hard landscaping.
How it works
The stump is ground deeper than a standard garden finish so remaining timber is less likely to interfere with the planned surface or excavation depth.
Best for
Exposed roots creating trip hazards, mower problems, uneven lawn, or access issues around paths, lawns, and garden edges.
How it works
Nominated surface roots are ground down where practical. We avoid promising full underground root removal unless excavation is specifically required and quoted.
Best for
Construction, drainage, retaining wall, or replanting work where grinding alone will not give enough space below ground.
How it works
Excavation is different from stump grinding. If the whole root ball needs to come out, we assess access, services, soil, and disposal before quoting it separately.
General price bands and the main things that affect your written quote
| Job | Price band | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Stumps (under 30cm)$150–$250Smaller stumps with straightforward access and a standard garden finish. | $150–$250 | |
| Medium Stumps (30–60cm)$250–$400Medium residential stumps with a broader root flare or more grinding required. | $250–$400 | |
| Large Stumps (60cm+)$400–$600Large or difficult stumps that need more equipment time, deeper work or extra debris handling. | $400–$600 | |
| Multiple Stumps$100–$200 eachA guide per-stump rate where three or more accessible stumps can be handled in one visit. | $100–$200 each |
The table is a guide only. Your quote will state the stumps, grinding depth, surface roots, backfilling, grindings and removal included. Ask about combined pricing with tree removal or several stumps.
Ingleside
Bayview
Beacon Hill
Google reviews
Elisa H
“Sam and his crew did a fab job this week. Efficient, friendly, accommodating and professional. Even understood who the real client was in the process. :-) Would certainly recommend.”
The Forest McGrath
“Sam was delightful to work with. Very efficient and always responded in a timely manner. His work trimming bamboo down was fantastic.”
Josh Hardy
“Sam and the team at Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches were fantastic to work with. They were exceptionally professional, highly safety-focused, and completely customer-oriented throughout the entire process. We had a tricky tree removal very close to our neighbor’s boundary line. Sam and the crew were remarkably kind and considerate to our older neighbor throughout the job. To make the process as quick and easy as possible, they carefully took down a section of fence and put it back up perfectly when the work was done. On top of the brilliant service, Sam worked directly with us to find a very fair, competitive price. If you need reliable tree services on the Northern Beaches, I can't recommend them highly enough.”
Reviews from Google. Showing recent 5-star reviews.
Read all reviews on GoogleThe grinding depth and cleanup are agreed around what you want to do with the area next.
The team checks the stump diameter, species, access, nearby services, structures, paving, and the intended use of the area.
The required grinding depth and nominated surface roots are agreed, then rocks, debris, and nearby areas are prepared.
The stump and agreed root flare are ground progressively to the depth suited to lawn, planting, paving, access, or construction preparation.
The area is backfilled and raked, with the resulting grindings retained, spread, or removed according to the quote.
Straight answers about the work, pricing, access and next steps
Stump grinding costs depend on stump diameter, root flare, species, access, nearby services, and the required depth. Our guide prices are a starting point. For an accurate price, request a quote based on the stump and access. Our stump grinding cost guide explains what to compare.
For most Northern Beaches homes, stump removal means grinding the visible stump and root flare below ground level so the area can be reused. It does not always mean excavating every underground root. Full root-ball excavation is only needed for some construction, drainage, or paving situations and is quoted separately after an on-site assessment.
The depth depends on what you want to do with the area next. Lawn and garden preparation may need a different finish from paving or building work. We agree the intended use and grinding depth in the written quote.
Often, but it is usually better to avoid planting directly into the same pocket of grindings and remaining roots. Tell us your planting plan before the work so we can discuss depth, backfilling and whether another position would be more suitable.
The stump produces a mix of wood grindings and soil. It can be left, spread or removed depending on the job. Your written quote will state what is included so there is no uncertainty on the day.
Compact stump grinders can reach many side paths and garden areas, but the actual width, steps, slope and turns still need to be checked. Send photographs of the stump and the full access route when you request a quote.
Yes. Fresh and older stumps can usually be ground, although decay, embedded objects, access and surrounding roots can affect the work. We inspect the stump before confirming the quote.
A stump grinder needs access and creates grindings around the immediate work area. We plan the route and protect nearby surfaces where practical. Any access limitations or likely disturbance will be explained before the quote is accepted.
Often, but the machine cannot safely remove timber hidden under or directly against a structure. We inspect the position and explain what can be reached before agreeing the work.
Useful advice about costs, Council requirements, timing and choosing the right work.
A map of the Northern Beaches from Manly to Palm Beach, outlining the 47 suburbs we service, with our base in Forestville marked.
Free on-site assessments in all 47 suburbs of our service area, with no travel surcharge.
Other tree services that may be useful for your property
Free quote
Tell us what needs attention and add a few photos if you can. We will review the details and arrange the next step.
