| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | $2.96-$3.19 per inch of diameter; $100-$400 per full stump |
| Time | About 2 hours of labor for a medium stump, per local estimates |
| Who's qualified | Ask for proof of insurance; the pro should contact Alabama 811 before grinding |
Madison, AL: what's different here
Madison is in Madison County, Alabama, about 12 miles and roughly 13 minutes by car from Huntsville via the main highway. The area falls in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b or 8a, with average annual extreme minimum temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Madison is covered by the Huntsville-area tree-service market, where stump-grinding costs are local market estimates rather than fixed statewide prices. Cedar stumps from cleared lots and mature yards are common candidates for grinding in the area.
What does cedar stump removal cost per inch in Madison?
Madison-area pricing guides put stump removal at about $3.08 per linear inch of stump diameter, with a range of $2.96 to $3.19 per inch. That estimate covers grinding and removing the stump to an 8-inch depth. Measure your cedar stump across the widest point to estimate your total.
Is there a flat price for grinding a cedar stump?
Broader Huntsville-area market estimates run $100 to $400 for a full stump, depending on size, and another common band is $125 to $500 or more per stump. A medium stump in Huntsville is estimated at about $75 to $133, with labor figured at 2 hours and an equipment allowance included. These are local market estimates, not fixed statewide prices.
Do I need a permit or authorization for stump grinding in Madison?
Madison sits in the Huntsville-area market, and the City of Huntsville requires permits for many land-disturbing activities. If you plan grading, drainage work, or erosion control after the stump is ground, the permit rules may apply. Ask the pro what site work could trigger a permit.
Does the contractor need a state license for cedar stump removal?
An Alabama municipal bid document shows one city did not require a State of Alabama General Contractors License for a tree-removal, stump-grinding, and pruning project due to the nature of the work. Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Board requires a residential home builder license only for residential construction or improvement projects over $10,000. Municipal jobs can still require written authorization from the city.
How does Madison's climate affect cedar stumps?
Madison is in Madison County, in the Huntsville-area USDA plant hardiness zone listed as 7b or 8a, with average annual extreme minimum temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. NOAA climate normals put Huntsville's annual average temperature at about 60.9 degrees. Cedar is a durable wood, so grinding depth and equipment matter more than weather for removal.
What to do next
- Measure your cedar stump's diameter in inches at its widest point, then multiply by the $2.96 to $3.19 per-inch range for a ballpark.
- Ask the pro whether the quote includes grinding to the 8-inch depth used in the Madison-area pricing estimate.
- Confirm the pro will contact Alabama 811 before grinding or excavation, as Alabama bid documents direct contractors to do.
- Request a free written estimate that states the price per stump or per inch, plus cleanup and depth.
- Call (256) 578-4701 or email [email protected] for a free quote from an independent, insured stump grinding pro.
HSV Stump Guy is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
