Stump Grinding Quote Template
Free stump grinding quote template for residential and commercial stump removal. Covers grinding depth, root removal, backfill, and site clean-up.
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Or try it on the web →This stump grinding quote template is for Australian arborists pricing residential and small commercial jobs. It covers everything from single backyard stumps to clearing a few for a new driveway. Most quotes go wrong on two things: underestimating the time needed for dense hardwood stumps like ironbark, and forgetting to price the green waste disposal correctly. Getting these two items right is the difference between making a profit or doing the job for wages. Use this template to build an accurate quote that covers your costs and protects your margin every time you fire up the grinder.
How to Calculate Your Stump Grinding Rate
The standard way to price is per centimetre of diameter, measured at the widest point at ground level. A common rate is $3.50 to $5.00 per cm, plus GST. This method scales well, but always have a minimum call-out fee, like $180, to cover travel and setup for small jobs. For big or tricky stumps, an hourly rate of $150-$220 might work better. Remember to factor in grinder tooth wear, which costs about $10-$15 per hour of use, plus fuel. Using software like QuoteMate helps you add these as standard line items so you never forget them.
What Gets Left Off a Stump Grinding Quote
Forgetting to check for underground services is the most expensive mistake. Always do a free Dial Before You Dig search before starting. Limited site access is another classic. If you can't get your Vermeer grinder through a narrow gate, you'll need to price for a smaller machine or manual work. Also, specify the backfill material. Leaving the grindings in the hole is cheapest, but trucking in clean soil from a supplier like Australian Native Landscapes costs money. Finally, state your grinding depth. Anything deeper than a standard 150mm will take longer and should be quoted as an extra.
Materials Included
- Stump grinding (below ground level)
- Root grinding (surface roots)
- Backfill soil or mulch
- Turf patch (optional)
- Site clean-up
- Green waste removal
Quoting Steps
- 1Count stumps and measure diameters
- 2Assess access for grinding equipment
- 3Determine grinding depth required
- 4Quote per stump based on size
- 5Include backfill and site levelling
- 6Add turf or seed restoration if requested
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, every time. Hitting a water pipe or Telstra cable will cost you thousands and ruin your reputation. The client won't care how small the stump was. The Dial Before You Dig service is free, takes minutes online, and provides a report showing the location of registered utilities. It's your professional responsibility to check before you grind.
For laying new turf, grinding 150mm below the final ground level is usually enough to stop regrowth. If the client wants to plant a new tree in the same spot, you need to go much deeper, around 400-600mm, to remove the entire root ball. This takes significantly more time, so price it as a separate, higher-cost line item.
Stump grindings expand in volume, so a small stump can create a full ute load of mulch. Check your local council tip fees for green waste, which can be $70-$120 per load. Price this as a separate line item on your quote. Alternatively, offer the client a discount to keep the grindings on-site for use as garden mulch.
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