Question 1

How deep do you grind a stump?

Accepted Answer

Standard grind is 100–150mm below grade — deep enough for re-turfing, garden beds, mulch and most landscaping. For paving or concrete slabs we grind 300mm+ below grade. For pool work, footings or anywhere structural we grind 400–500mm and follow the major lateral roots out 1–2m. Otherwise the root mass rots over 5–10 years and creates voids that crack pavers and slabs.

Question 2

Will the grinder fit through my side gate?

Accepted Answer

Almost always. We run a 30cm narrow-access grinder that fits through a 900mm gate (standard residential side gate is 900–1000mm), plus a 76cm tow-behind for big paddock and rural stumps. If the gate is under 900mm or there's a deck/path obstruction, we lift the grinder over (it weighs ~120kg) or detach the cowling. Worst-case access we hand-grub the stump with axes and a small petrol stump-cutter, slower but possible.

Question 3

What about the roots — do they need to come out?

Accepted Answer

Depends what you're doing with the space. For re-turfing or garden bed: no, the lateral roots will rot in place over 5–10 years (sometimes triggering fungal growth, sometimes not — species-dependent). For paving, slab, footing, pool surround: yes, the major lateral roots out to 1–2m radius need to be ground or chased out, otherwise the rotting mass creates settlement voids. We quote both options at the site visit.

Question 4

What about the chips? Can I keep them?

Accepted Answer

Yes — stump chips are excellent garden mulch (high carbon, slow-release nutrients). We can leave the chip pile on-site for free, dump it elsewhere on the block, or remove it. If you want topsoil backfill instead of chips, we backfill with screened topsoil (extra $40–$80 depending on volume). Chip from stumps treated with herbicides (paint-on glyphosate killers) shouldn't go on edible-garden beds.

Question 5

Are there underground services I need to worry about?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and we check before grinding. Stumps are often near service entries (gas, water, NBN, electrical). We require a Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) lookup for any stump within 5m of a service entry, and we mark services with paint before grinding. Tree roots can also grow around old service pipes and pull them when ground — we work conservatively near services and pause if we hit anything that doesn't feel like root.

Question 6

Can you do it the same day as the removal?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes if access for the grinder is straightforward. On tight backyard removals we sometimes have to schedule the grinder for the next available slot because the truck and chipper take up the access during the climb. We always quote stump grinding as a separate line item so you can decide whether to bundle or not — it doesn't save money to bundle, but it does save a return visit.

Question 7

How much does stump grinding cost?

Accepted Answer

Small stump (under 30cm diameter): $150–$250. Medium stump (30–60cm): $250–$400. Large stump (60–100cm): $400–$700. Multiple stumps in one visit: discounted to $80–$150 per additional stump. Below-grade for paving / slab / pool: + $100–$200. Lateral-root chasing for structural work: + $100–$400 depending on radius.

Stump grinding in Pakenham & Cardinia Shire.

How deep to grind — depends on what comes next.

Two grinders, every job.

Before we grind.

Typical Cardinia Shire stump-grind jobs.

Where we work.

Get a fixed-price stump-grind quote.