Thinking of getting into stump grinding

[brokenknee]

With retirement only a couple of years away I am looking for something to do on a part time basis. I have been to arboristsite.com site and have read a number of threads over there. I am not a member so I could not post any questions.

Some say they can make some OK money doing it while others say it is a tough way to make a buck as you are always working on your equipment and someone is always willing to undercut you on price..

I was thinking about getting a used vermeer 252 or something along those lines. I have to do some more research on the machine. I would mainly market to homeowners, not interested in getting into land clearing.

I already have a truck, dump trailer, chain saw and of course a tractor. So those I would not have to purchase. I know I would have to figure in replacement cost down the road. I also have a nephew that is into landscaping and he said he could through me a few stumps when he gets them, however he did say he does not get that many. I have moved and am now about an hour and a half north of the twin cities and a hour south of Duluth.

From what I have seen a used vermeer 252 goes from around $10,000 to $15,000. That would be a pretty good investment, but figure if it doesn't work out I could always sell it. As long I buy right I shouldn't be out to much money.

Just wondering if anyone here has tried it and how it worked out. I did find an old thread on here from 2008 but that member ended up not pursuing the idea.

 

[bspeedy]

I've no experience at owning the business of grinding stumps, but it seems like guys that do that are a dime a dozen around here. 100 bucks per stump. Takes 20 minutes or so to grind it. 20 minutes travel time between jobs. With the price of fuel, parts for the stump grinder, miles and wear and tear on your truck, and your initial investment - I don't see how that turns out to be a money maker.

 

[LD1]

For the cost of having a stump ground, and the market in my area, I know it wouldn't be a cost effective venture in my area. Your area may be different.

Around here, it's usually around $10 per inch of stump. IE: a 12" tree removed....would cost $120 to grind stump. A 28" tree, $280 to grind stump.

But around here, if one removed a tree it is usually either

1. To clear a building lot to build a house. Excavators and other heavy equipment onsite so do problem with the stump.

2. Home owner removed a tree and just leaves the stump or flush cuts and don't worry.

3. Hire tree removal from a company that ALSO includes stump removal.

Little to no business around here, IMO, for a stand alone stump grinding service. Now if you were properly insured, had a bucket truck and chipper, and offered complete tree, brush, and stump removal....there might be a market. But it's competitive.

 

[Rara Avis]

For the cost of having a stump ground, and the market in my area, I know it wouldn't be a cost effective venture in my area. Your area may be different.

Around here, it's usually around $10 per inch of stump. IE: a 12" tree removed....would cost $120 to grind stump. A 28" tree, $280 to grind stump.

But around here, if one removed a tree it is usually either

1. To clear a building lot to build a house. Excavators and other heavy equipment onsite so do problem with the stump.

2. Home owner removed a tree and just leaves the stump or flush cuts and don't worry.

3. Hire tree removal from a company that ALSO includes stump removal.

Little to no business around here, IMO, for a stand alone stump grinding service. Now if you were properly insured, had a bucket truck and chipper, and offered complete tree, brush, and stump removal....there might be a market. But it's competitive.

Yep...that sums up most of the country...tree removal outfits offers to remove the stump for a price...varies by size of tree and the number of trees removed during the current job...

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My buddy and I rented one of these.
And had it for 3 or 4 days (8 machine hours), I ground 12 or 15 small stumps on my property, he ground 5 or 6 on his, a buddy of his ground 10+ stumps then I ground a few larger stumps for a few other people, the extra stumps I ground paid for 1/3 of the rental.

I really liked that machine, no idea what one costs. I would enjoy playing with one if I was retired, just standing and joystick work, light raking after.

Idk if you would get rich but it would pay for itself and would be something todo.

 

[coobie]

Had 7 stumps removed from our place last year pretty much medium size stumps guy charged $200 bucks I felt bad and paid him $250.IMHO not a money maker.

 

[TheMan419]

We got quoted $65 to grind the stump if they are also taking down tree. Stump is over 12 inches diameter.

 

[CADplans]

I would think you would have to do stump grinding as a sideline to another business.
You need something to pay the insurance,, stump grinding alone would be hard pressed to pay the insurance.
If your other business was paying the insurance,, you could add stump grinding.

You do not want to be the guy that hits a power line,, or a gas line,,, without insurance!!

 

[sandman2234]

We had woodborers mowing thru the woods here, so I had all the pines on my property cut, before I lost them. Me cutting my trees basically stopped the borers from moving tree to tree.
Anyway, I had a bunch in the front yard, and the tree cutter told me he could get the stumps ground as part of me allowing my next door neighbor's trees to come across my property. It cost him $10 a stump, for about 30 in the front yard. So the grinder made almost nothing after fuel, payments and wear on the carbide tips (which aren't cheap)...
As mentioned, great supplement, not going to support itself.
David from jax

 

[AGRIMAN]

I'm no stump grinding expert, but I will tell you that there are two guys around here that have been doing it for 30+ years and all they do is grind stumps. I won't say they have gotten rich, but they seem to have made a nice living with it.

As you said, you already have most of what you wil need. 10 to 15k is not a big investment for starting a new business. I would give it some more though, maybe talk to some more people and if you still feel comfortable go for it. If it doesn't work out as planned, sale the grinder and more on to something else.

There no shame in trying.

 

[beeforty]

Dealing with homeowners mainly, you may be at their mercy as to where they think all of the utilities are. My neighbor just had a tree taken out, 100'+ Sequoia Redwood and the stump at 1' above ground was 8 1/2'. took 1 1/2 days to grind down to a foot below grade. They found one of his water lines and cracked the iron pipe. Also, they hauled off most all of the grindings leaving a flat area. That's something else to decide, what do you do with all the grindings when people want a flat area.

 

[crazyal]

I think if I was going to try it I would see what you can rent for equipment. Several local rental companies have a stump grinders. By renting you are not going to make money but it will give you an idea as to what size and style of grinder that you might want. It should also give you an idea as to how hard it is, how long it'll take you, and if you think it will be profitable. just remember to figure in the price of insurance. You may even want to check on your state's version of dig safe (our version). It might be free or it could cost but might be needed.

 

[brokenknee]

My buddy and I rented one of these. View attachment 517390
And had it for 3 or 4 days (8 machine hours), I ground 12 or 15 small stumps on my property, he ground 5 or 6 on his, a buddy of his ground 10+ stumps then I ground a few larger stumps for a few other people, the extra stumps I ground paid for 1/3 of the rental.

I really liked that machine, no idea what one costs. I would enjoy playing with one if I was retired, just standing and joystick work, light raking after.

Idk if you would get rich but it would pay for itself and would be something todo.

I have seen them online for about $15,000 for a used 26 horse. I have also watched some u tube videos on it and it look pretty sheet. Some of the guys on arboriste.com said they are a little lite in the front for their liking.

 

[brokenknee]

I would think you would have to do stump grinding as a sideline to another business.
You need something to pay the insurance,, stump grinding alone would be hard pressed to pay the insurance.
If your other business was paying the insurance,, you could add stump grinding.

You do not want to be the guy that hits a power line,, or a gas line,,, without insurance!!

I would not want to hit a gas or power line with insurance. I have talked to my insurance guy and he said it would be around $1,000 per year for a 1 million dollar liability policy.

 

[brokenknee]

Dealing with homeowners mainly, you may be at their mercy as to where they think all of the utilities are. My neighbor just had a tree taken out, 100'+ Sequoia Redwood and the stump at 1' above ground was 8 1/2'. took 1 1/2 days to grind down to a foot below grade. They found one of his water lines and cracked the iron pipe. Also, they hauled off most all of the grindings leaving a flat area. That's something else to decide, what do you do with all the grindings when people want a flat area.

I would not grind without having the utilities located, why would you. It is free all you need to do is call and they will be out within 3 days. I would also have it in the contract I would not be responsible for any utilities that are not located/marked i.e. sprinkler systems, power lines to an out building the locators due not normally mark etc. I know that would not necessary stop them from trying to collect, but at least I would have something to bring to court if it came to that.

I would most likely give three options, one grind the stop and leave, two grind the stump and haul the grindings, and three grind the stump, haul the grindings and back-fill with topsoil. If I did offer to seed there would be no guarantee as you have no control on if the home owner would water as needed.

 

[RandyT]

For the cost of having a stump ground, and the market in my area, I know it wouldn't be a cost effective venture in my area. Your area may be different.

Around here, it's usually around $10 per inch of stump. IE: a 12" tree removed....would cost $120 to grind stump. A 28" tree, $280 to grind stump.

But around here, if one removed a tree it is usually either

1. To clear a building lot to build a house. Excavators and other heavy equipment onsite so do problem with the stump.

2. Home owner removed a tree and just leaves the stump or flush cuts and don't worry.

3. Hire tree removal from a company that ALSO includes stump removal.

Little to no business around here, IMO, for a stand alone stump grinding service. Now if you were properly insured, had a bucket truck and chipper, and offered complete tree, brush, and stump removal....there might be a market. But it's competitive.

Nephew runs a stand alone stump removal business on the side. Some years you do a lot other years not so much. The going rate is $2 per diameter inch in my area, and in some cases my nephew has had to just sit back and watch as the bidding wars start and the price has dropped as low as 25 cents per inch.

 

[LD1]

Nephew runs a stand alone stump removal business on the side. Some years you do a lot other years not so much. The going rate is $2 per diameter inch in my area, and in some cases my nephew has had to just sit back and watch as the bidding wars start and the price has dropped as low as 25 cents per inch.

Even that $2 per inch is nuts. Unless he is charging a surcharge for showing up, etc.

Someone wants a 24" stump ground, that will take a good hour by the time you unload, thats only $48. How can you afford to even show up.

 

[brokenknee]

I think if I was going to try it I would see what you can rent for equipment. Several local rental companies have a stump grinders. By renting you are not going to make money but it will give you an idea as to what size and style of grinder that you might want. It should also give you an idea as to how hard it is, how long it'll take you, and if you think it will be profitable. just remember to figure in the price of insurance. You may even want to check on your state's version of dig safe (our version). It might be free or it could cost but might be needed.

We have gopher one call and its free. I have thought about the renting idea, the problem is there is not rental places close that I know off that rents more than a small manual grinder.

 

[brokenknee]

Even that $2 per inch is nuts. Unless he is charging a surcharge for showing up, etc.

Someone wants a 24" stump ground, that will take a good hour by the time you unload, thats only $48. How can you afford to even show up.

I would have to have a minimum charge, no sure how much it would be but think $125 would not be unreasonable.

I have just taken a large willow out of the front yard and in the process of removing about 20 birch (all in clumps) I may call a chipper to find out what they charge. I was told there is a tree service in the area that grinds stumps, but nobody knew of anyone else. I looked in the yellow papers and on craigs list and did not see anyone in the area.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I would not grind without having the utilities located, why would you. It is free all you need to do is call and they will be out within 3 days. I would also have it in the contract I would not be responsible for any utilities that are not located/marked i.e. sprinkler systems, power lines to an out building the locators due not normally mark etc. I know that would not necessary stop them from trying to collect, but at least I would have something to bring to court if it came to that.

I would most likely give three options, one grind the stop and leave, two grind the stump and haul the grindings, and three grind the stump, haul the grindings and back-fill with topsoil. If I did offer to seed there would be no guarantee as you have no control on if the home owner would water as needed.

This is wisdom. All of it.