Why does it cost so much for us to grind stumps?

Some people understand the cost of quality and professional work. For those who don’t, here’s some of the reasons why it can be so expensive.

Liability Coverage
We are proud to be licensed and insured. This means we are covered in the event that we have a mishap on someone else’s premises. If we accidentally shatter a window from flying debris or someone is injured, we have insurance that covers us. This insurance is not cheap. Its several thousand dollars a year. Do not hire someone that does not carry liability insurance.

High Start-Up Costs
Depending on the type of machine you start with and what you intend to pull it with, stump grinding can cost $70,000 to $100,000 in equipment alone to get started.

High Maintenance Costs
Aside from routine maintenance, there are things that just tend to break over time. Unlike most heavy machinery, stump grinders take quite a lot of beating. They are built tough for that reason, but they aren’t indestructible. Parts tend to be expensive, and often only specialty shops can work on them when we can’t ourselves. We try to maintain our machines on our own as best as we can, but there are many jobs we simply aren’t equipped for. Another maintenance cost are the cutting teeth. Each tooth costs about $20 and they must be sharpened after only about a week of work. Dull teeth means more wear and tear on the machine, so it’s important they be changed out. They can be sharpened for about $4 a piece.

Occupational Hazard
As much as we love grinding stumps, it is dangerous. The cutting wheel can rip an appendage off in a split second if you’re not careful. Debris can also fly out of the mound and hit you, which is why we wear protective gear. We are also trained to keep ourselves and others safe. We have learned this trade and are skilled at it.