Call or text: 303-578-0822

What are my options for stump removal?

“There are other ways to remove a stump, there just aren’t any other good ways.”

There are several different options for getting the stump removed from your yard. To help you make a more informed decision, we’ve outlined a few of the most common approaches, and the pros and cons of each, below.

Remember, always call #811 before you or your contractor attempt stump removal! It protects you, and it’s Colorado state law.

Best option: Hire Flatirons – the NW Denver, Boulder Professional, Specialized Stump Removal Service

Cost:  Flat rate written estimates based on stump size (not what we think you can pay).

Advantages:

• Operator is a background checked professional, a Colorado native, and business owner.
• Stump removal carries an unconditional guarantee.
• Written scope of work and specifications before start of service.
• Flatirons is fully insured. A copy of our insurance is provided upon request.

Flatirons Stump Removal is the highest rated, dedicated stump service located in and focused on the northwest Denver to Boulder area.  By specializing in stump removal you get better service. By focusing on our local area, we are able to keep stump removal affordable by reducing travel time. Give yourself some peace of mind, cross that stump off your list (or your spouses list.) Our goal is to be one of your favorite companies, and we hope our professionalism and service will win your trust and referrals to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Give us a call (or text) for a free estimate – 303-578-0822.

Flatirons unconditional guarantee

If you discover, at any time, that your stump was not removed to the specifications on your invoice, we will return and remove any excess at no charge.

Other methods to remove a stump

Hire a Tree Service

Cost/pros/cons:  Often 10-40% more expensive and with a lower quality of work.

Stump removal for many tree companies is often an “afterthought” service, something they have to offer to be considered a full-service company, but not something they are enthusiastic about.  The operator may not be someone with experience and expertise, but may have just been assigned to grind stumps that day. Some companies wait until they have a group of stumps to remove and then rent a machine, resulting in delay of service.

DIY: Rent a Stump Grinder

Pros/Cons/Cost:  $110-130 for four hours, $150-300 per day, can be taxing and unsafe.

While DIY can be awesome, DIY stump removal can get a little dicey. At Flatirons Stump Removal, our operator will wear a forestry helmet and surround the stump with protective guards to minimize thrown debris. When renting a machine, these safety devices are not included (and are often unavailable.) Renting a stump grinder from a local rental company, such as Home Depot or Sunbelt Rentals, will usually have a four hour minimum. Add in tax and a damage waiver (always a good idea since there is no way to know what is buried under, around or in a stump until the cutter head finds it for you) your minimum cost is about $130 (Home Depot) to $150 (Sunbelt).

For even a small stump, you will need a good chunk of that four hour minimum to get your machine rented, transported, your stump removed and the machine returned. You will also need a way to transport the stump grinder (a pickup bed or at least vehicle that can tow a trailer). Rental units are less powerful, are controlled by hand and can be physically demanding. If you have a large stump or multiple stumps, you might be wishing you had spent your weekend differently. (Remember, Flatirons will remove stumps up to 20 inches in diameter for $165.)

Methods Not To Try

If you or your significant other is considering removing a stump by hand yourself, please take some time to learn about what is involved before starting. Anything more than a small bush stump or very small tree stump takes significant effort or involves dangers.

***Please Do Not Attempt***

Digging out the stump:

Cost: time of labor
Other considerations:  Life & limb, environmental hazards

We found an online video showing stump excavation before carving it up with a chainsaw, and then breaking it up with an axe. Again, for obvious safety reasons, please do not attempt! Even a 8 inch tree stump, several hours of difficult labor are often involved to hand excavate. Roots will need to be cut, and there’s not a good way to do that since chainsaw chains dull as soon as they hit dirt. For every additional inch diameter the chance of your spouse calling Flatirons Stump Removal the next day for you increases 50% (this is field estimate, not derived from scientific data.)

***Please Do Not Attempt***

Chemicals:

Cost:  Variable
Some online DIY sites have instructions to drill holes in your stump and use chemicals to help your stump deteriorate very rapidly (6-8 weeks), then break it apart with an axe.  In Colorado, because of our low humidity, chemicals often do not react and stay, crystallized, in the bottom of the drilled hole. If the chemicals do react, they can leach into the ground, poisoning and killing nearby vegetation, and making revegetation nearly impossible without exchanging the soil. The warning label speaks for itself – keep your pets and children away from the area.

***Please Do Not Attempt***

Vehicles:
Please don’t try this! A quick YouTube search will show what can go wrong with vehicles and stumps. A tragic story in Aurora in 2013 reported the traumatic death of a man who was killed trying to pull a stump out of the ground with his SUV, destroying his vehicle and also injuring his elderly neighbor.

Takeaway:  Some things are best left to professionals.