Stump Removal Cost in Seattle, WA2026
Estimate stump grinding and removal cost in Seattle, WA by stump size, count, method, cleanup, accessibility, and labor.
Project Details
Total estimated cost
$84
Adjusted for local cost of living (+13%)
Cost Breakdown
Cost Distribution
Data sources: Base costs derived from national industry cost surveys and contractor pricing data, adjusted with BLS inflation indices, Census housing/income signals, and FRED CSV fallback when BLS data is temporarily unavailable. Regional adjustment (Seattle, WA) based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index data. Latest index refresh: June 2026.
Disclaimer: Estimates are approximate and for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on project complexity, contractor rates, material availability, and local market conditions. Always obtain multiple quotes from licensed contractors before starting a project.
Typical Project Cost by Removal method
Adjusted for Seattle, WA (+13%)Same default project size (default scope), priced across each material tier.
| Tier | Material rate | Total project | Installed per stump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinding below grade | $2.99 | $84 | $84 |
| Grinding deep 8–12 in | $4.99 | $120 | $120 |
| Full root extraction | $7.98 | $174 | $174 |
Material rates reflect the latest BLS construction PPI adjustment. Installed totals include labor and supplies but exclude permits and any tear-out beyond the calculator's default scope.
Recent Cost Trends Affecting Seattle
Wholesale construction prices typically lead homeowner-facing quotes by 2–4 months. Use the trend below to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait for the next reading.
Residential Construction PPI — Trailing 12 Months
BLS series PCU236211236211, single-family construction producer prices.
200.6
+4.0% vs May 25
The PPI is the wholesale price of materials and labor that contractors pay, before margin. A rising index usually flows into homeowner quotes within 2–4 months. Use this trend to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait.
Local Labor Rates Near Seattle, WA
State-level mean hourly wages from BLS OEWS, May 2023.
| Trade | SOC | Mean hourly (WA) | vs national | Loaded billing rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction LaborersMost relevant | 47-2061 | $30.10 | +32.1% | ~$72/hr |
| Electricians | 47-2111 | $41.86 | +30.0% | ~$100/hr |
| Plumbers & Pipefitters | 47-2152 | $40.18 | +22.4% | ~$96/hr |
| HVAC Mechanics | 49-9021 | $35.41 | +23.6% | ~$85/hr |
| Carpenters | 47-2031 | $33.61 | +16.1% | ~$81/hr |
| Painters | 47-2141 | $27.45 | +10.8% | ~$66/hr |
| Roofers | 47-2181 | $28.45 | +9.9% | ~$68/hr |
"Mean hourly" is the BLS OEWS state-level cross-industry mean wage paid to the worker. Loaded billing rate is a typical 2.4× multiple used in residential bids to cover overhead, insurance, taxes, vehicle, and contractor margin. Use it as a sanity check on a quoted hourly rate.
Best Months to Schedule Landscaping & sod / planting in Seattle, WA
Derived from NOAA climate normals for WA: heating/cooling degree days, freeze months, and annual precipitation.
Why these months
Plant establishment needs mild soil temperatures. The state's mild, very wet winters west of the Cascades and dry, hot summers east pushes ideal install months into the windows above.
Booking tip
Pair planting with the local nursery's drought-resistant catalog to avoid paying twice if a heat wave kills new sod.
Stump Removal Cost by City
Browse all 202 cities by state
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming
Local Market Context for Seattle, WA
This Seattle page uses direct metro CPI coverage for local inflation context, then layers in project formulas, state-level housing signals, and current construction inputs.
Relative cost level
13% above national
This reflects the city multiplier currently applied to labor-sensitive project costs.
Local data source
Direct metro CPI
This city has a direct metro inflation series in the market data snapshot.
Market profile
West · 737K city population
Region and city size help explain labor pressure, contractor demand, and housing-stock mix.
Compare Nearby Markets
Check the same calculator in nearby or same-region cities to see how the local multiplier changes the estimate.
Stump Removal cost in Spokane
Washington market · smaller metro · 98 cost index · ~15% lower than Seattle
Compare Stump Removal pricing in Tacoma, WA
Washington market · smaller metro · 103 cost index · ~10% lower than Seattle
Vancouver stump removal estimates
Washington market · smaller metro · 104 cost index · ~9% lower than Seattle
How much stump removal costs in Bellevue
Washington market · smaller metro · 114 cost index · ~1% higher than Seattle
Stump Removal prices around Denver
West market · mid-size metro · 101 cost index · ~12% lower than Seattle
Portland, OR stump removal budget
West market · mid-size metro · 106 cost index · ~7% lower than Seattle
Local stump removal estimate for Las Vegas
West market · mid-size metro · 98 cost index · ~15% lower than Seattle
Stump Removal near San Francisco
West market · mid-size metro · 111 cost index · ~2% lower than Seattle
Average Cost in Seattle, WA
For a typical stump removal scenario in Seattle, WA, this calculator currently models a total around $84, or about $84 per stump.
When budgeting Stump Removal in Seattle, local quotes usually reflect conditions across Washington. Seattle-area permit complexity and Puget Sound moisture exposure add envelope and drainage layers to many western Washington projects.
Contractors serving Seattle often balance local jobs with regional work, which can affect how quickly crews can start.
Landscaping timelines around Seattle, WA are often seasonal; wet or frozen ground can push starts earlier or later than expected.
Annual weather in Seattle (38" of rainfall, ~3 freezing months) typically influences both crew scheduling and exterior product specs.
Washington's housing stock skews to single-family with wet-climate detailing and craftsman stock, which gives Seattle contractors a fairly consistent set of structural and finish patterns to bid against.
In Seattle, modeled costs are currently about 13% above the national baseline. That usually reflects a mix of mid-sized metro labor pricing, subcontractor availability, and broader west regional cost pressure.
Local labor conditions, permit timing, and finish selection all influence how this project prices in Seattle.
Low / Mid / High Project Scenarios
Low Scenario
$47$47 per square foot
One small stump with shallow grinding, grindings left, easy access.
Mid Scenario
$389$195 per square foot
Two medium stumps with deep grinding, backfill, moderate access.
High Scenario
$1,871$624 per square foot
Three large stumps with full root extraction, topsoil and seed, tight slope access.
What Changes the Estimate Most in Seattle?
- Stump diameter and root-system complexity drive the removal cost more than any other variable in a stump project.
- Stump count, access difficulty, and surface-root chasing are the main reasons stump-removal labor exceeds a quick single-grind visit.
- Backfill, topsoil, and re-seeding or re-sodding are the extras that most often expand a stump-removal estimate.
When This Calculator Is Less Accurate
This calculator is less accurate when the project includes large root-system extraction, surface-root chasing under hardscape, multiple deep grinds, or significant backfill and re-grading beyond a standard stump grind.
Use the result as a budgeting starting point, then validate with local contractor quotes if the scope includes specialty materials, hidden damage, or permit-driven design changes.
How Much Does Stump Removal Cost in Seattle?
Typical stump work often falls around $100–500 per stump depending on diameter, how deep you grind versus full extraction, whether grindings are hauled, and how hard the machine can reach the stump.
Cost Factors:
- Diameter is the main cost driver—wider stumps need more machine time and larger cutters
- Deep grinding or full root removal costs more than shallow surface grinding
- Hauling grindings, backfilling, and reseeding add flat per-stump fees on top of grinding
- Fences, slopes, utilities, and tight side yards slow work and increase hourly rates
- Multiple stumps on one visit usually lower the average cost per stump due to mobilization
In Seattle, home improvement costs are 13% above the national average. This reflects local labor rates, material availability, and cost of living in the Seattle metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions (5)
How localized is the Stump Removal estimate for Seattle, WA?
This page applies a West regional cost model plus local signals for Seattle, WA, so totals are modeled around 13% above a national baseline before you change inputs. Use it as a budgeting range, then compare written quotes for your exact scope.
What should I verify with contractors in Seattle?
Confirm permits, HOA or historic-district rules, material lead times, and whether demolition or hidden damage is included. Washington codes and local inspection steps can change both price and schedule compared with national averages.
Is grinding cheaper than pulling the stump?
Usually yes. Grinding leaves roots in place but is faster and less disruptive; full extraction is reserved for replanting, construction, or invasive roots near foundations.
What happens to the wood chips?
You can keep them as mulch, spread them in beds, or pay to have them removed and the hole filled with soil. Cleanup options in this calculator reflect common add-ons.
Do I need to mark utilities first?
Yes—call before you dig services are often required when grinding near known lines. Your pro should verify locates where depth or extraction could contact buried utilities.
Data sources & methodology
Estimates blend national base costs, the BLS residential construction PPI, regional and direct metro CPI series, BLS OEWS state labor wages, and U.S. Census ACS housing signals. Market data refreshed June 2026. Expect ±15–30% spread vs an actual contractor quote.
Explore Related Project Costs
These are common next-step comparisons for people researching stump removal in Seattle.
Full tree and stump removal
Tree Removal Cost Calculator
Stump removal is most often needed right after a tree has been taken down.
Re-sod after stump grinding
Sod Installation Cost Calculator
Useful when the ground needs sod or seed after a stump is ground and backfilled.
Redesign after stump removal
Landscape Design Cost Calculator
Helpful when a removed stump opens up space for a new planting or hardscape design.
Related Calculators
Tree Removal Cost Calculator
Estimate tree removal by size, count, access, stump option, hauling, and local labor factors.
Sod Installation Cost Calculator
Estimate sod cost by yard size, grass type, prep, removal, sprinklers, and labor.
Landscape Design Cost Calculator
Estimate design fees by yard size, plan level, survey, planting, hardscape design, and revisions.