How Much Does Stump Grinder Rental Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Planning to remove that stubborn tree stump yourself? Renting a stump grinder costs an average of $300 per day, with prices ranging from $90 to $400. Rental duration and the type of grinder influence the overall expense. Before you decide to DIY, remember that hiring a professional will save you time and effort and ensure that your stump is removed safely.

Stump Grinder Rental Cost Factors

If you're considering the DIY route for stump grinding, several factors will impact the rental cost of a stump grinder. Your expenses will depend on the duration of the rental, the grinder type, and where you rent it from.

Amount of Time

Costs start at $60 per hour, or $200 per day. A full day gives you 24 hours of use and is likely the best value, as it gives you a cushion if you're working on a tough stump to help you avoid a late fee. If you're working on clearing a large area of stumps, then you might find it more economical to rent a stump grinder by the week. Here are the average costs for various rental durations.

Brand

The stump grinder rental company also impacts your cost. Here’s a breakdown of some popular stump grinder rental brands.

Grinder Type

Standard stump grinders cost between $200 and $400 per day. Mini grinders are only suitable for small stumps under 10 inches in diameter. For particularly large grinders, you might also need to rent a trailer, which generally adds another $50 to $60 to your cost. 

Mini or compact stump grinders range from $60 to $90 per day, or up to $1,000 for four weeks. They cost less than traditional grinders and weigh a lot less. You might not have to rent a trailer to move it. However, these machines only work for small stumps. Talk to a stump removal company near you to see what they recommend.

DIY Stump Grinding vs. Hiring a Pro

Hiring a professional for tree stump removal costs $370 on average, with prices ranging from $150 to $500. You’ll pay the same amount to grind a stump yourself as you would by hiring a pro, so it's worth getting an estimate from a tree removal company near you .

If you're considering DIY stump grinding, keep these risks in mind:

• Safety: Without the right safety equipment, you risk serious personal injury.

• Size: Rental stump grinders often handle only rotten or very small stumps. If your stump is more than 12 inches in diameter, a rental likely won't suffice.

• Cost: Renting large stump grinders with trailers could end up costing more than hiring a pro.

• Labor: DIY stump grinding is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

• Mess: You might end up with more debris than expected due to wood chips and dirt clods.

Considering these factors, it’s more efficient and safer to hire a professional for your stump removal project.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.