The average stump grinding cost in Palm Bay and Brevard County is $100 to $400 per stump for most residential jobs, which works out to roughly $3 to $5 per inch of stump diameter. A 12-inch pine stump is at the bottom of that range; a 40-inch live oak stump with surface roots is at the top or above it. Here’s how the price is figured and how to pay less.
Stump Grinding Cost by Size
| Stump diameter | Typical price | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12″ | $100 – $150 | Crape myrtle, queen palm, small pine |
| 12″ – 24″ | $150 – $250 | Sabal palm, laurel oak, slash pine |
| 24″ – 36″ | $250 – $400 | Mature live oak, large pine |
| Over 36″ | $400 – $700+ | Heritage live oak, multi-trunk clusters |
Diameter is measured at the widest point at ground level, including the flare. Many companies have a minimum trip charge of $100–$150, so one small stump costs about the same as two.
What Changes the Price
- Number of stumps. The biggest savings: grinding five stumps on one visit might cost $500 total versus $150 each separately. Do them all at once.
- Depth. Standard grinding goes 4–6 inches below grade — enough for sod. Grinding 12+ inches for replanting a tree or pouring concrete costs more.
- Surface roots. Live oaks and ficus throw big roots across the lawn. Chasing and grinding them adds time.
- Access. Our tracked, remote-controlled grinder fits through a 36-inch gate. Back-yard stumps behind a pool cage with no gate access need a smaller machine or hand work.
- Palm stumps. Palms are fibrous rather than woody. They grind easily but produce a huge volume of wet pulp that has to be hauled.
- Debris removal. Grindings can be left as mulch (free) or hauled and the hole backfilled with topsoil (adds $50–$150).
- Rocks, concrete, and buried utilities. Anything hidden in the root zone slows the job. Call Sunshine 811 before grinding deep.
Grinding vs. Full Stump Removal
Grinding chips the stump and major roots to mulch below ground level. The remaining roots rot naturally over several years. It’s fast, cheap, and leaves the yard intact. Full removal digs out the entire root ball with an excavator or Bobcat. It costs 2–4 times more and tears up the yard, but it’s required when the site will be built on or when you need to replant exactly where the old tree was. For 95% of Brevard homeowners, grinding is the right call. See our stump grinding service page.
Why Not Leave the Stump?
- Termites and carpenter ants colonize dead stumps and move to the house.
- Oak, maple, and Brazilian pepper stumps resprout aggressively.
- Stumps are tripping hazards and mower killers.
- Ganoderma fungus in old palm stumps spreads to living palms nearby.
- Stumps lower curb appeal and complicate selling.
Save Money: Grind at the Same Time as Removal
If you’re having a tree removed, add stump grinding to the same visit. The crew and equipment are already on site, so the add-on price is lower than a separate stump-only trip. Ask for it in the estimate. Full price context in our tree removal cost guide.
Get a Stump Grinding Quote
Text a photo of the stump with something for scale (a shoe works) to 321-914-9936 and we can usually quote it without a visit. We grind stumps across Palm Bay, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Malabar, the beaches, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, and Merritt Island.
