Per stump or by diameter?

By diameter is fairer across mixed jobs — a 30-inch stump is far more work than a 6-inch one. A per-inch rate keeps big and small stumps priced consistently on the same invoice.

Should haul-away be separate?

Yes. Grinding leaves a pile of chips; hauling them off is extra labor and disposal. Itemizing it lets a customer who wants to keep the mulch skip the charge.

When should I invoice?

On completion, before you leave. It's single-visit work, so invoicing and taking payment on-site closes the job in one trip.

Stump Grinding Invoice Template (Free)

Essential line items on a stump grinding invoice

A professional stump grinding invoice itemizes per-inch trunk diameter measurements, grinding depth specifications, 811 utility line locates, and wood chip removal:

Stump Grinding Business Header: Business name, logo, physical address, phone, email, state contractor license number, and commercial general liability insurance details.
Customer & Job Location: Property owner name, job address, and service date.
Per-Inch Diameter Calculations: Total stump diameter measured in inches across the widest root flare base, multiplied by per-inch rate.
Grinding Depth Specifications: Standard 6” below grade grinding vs. 12”–18” deep root chase for tree replanting or lawn turf establishment.
Debris Cleanup & Wood Chip Haul-Away: Leaving ground wood mulch on-site vs. loading and hauling chips off to commercial green-waste facilities.
Topsoil Backfill & Lawn Re-Seeding: Backfilling stump holes with screened topsoil, starter fertilizer, and grass seed.
811 Utility Call-Out Notice & Payment Terms: 811 One-Call public utility locator verification notes and payment due terms (Net 0).

Free Stump Grinding Text Template

Copy and paste the template below to build professional stump grinding invoices:

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                    STUMP GRINDING SERVICE INVOICE & RECEIPT
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SERVICE CONTRACTOR:                        INVOICE & UTILITY DETAILS:
[Your Stump Grinding Business Name]        Invoice Number: SG-2026-0819
[Commercial Liability Insurance #]         Service Date: August 3, 2026
[Phone & Billing Email Address]            811 Utility Ticket #: 811-TKT-99410
                                           Payment Terms: Due Upon Completion (Net 0)

CLIENT & PROPERTY LOCATION:
Client Name: [Homeowner Name]              Property Address: [456 Oak Tree Lane]

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LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION & STUMP MEASUREMENTS                     AMOUNT
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1. Front Yard Oak Stump (36" Root Flare Diameter @ $4.50/inch) $162.00
   - Spec: Standard Grinding to 8 Inches Below Grade
2. Backyard Pine Stump (24" Root Flare Diameter @ $4.50/inch)  $108.00
   - Spec: Deep Root Chase to 12 Inches Below Grade
3. Wood Chip Haul-Off & Yard Raking Cleanup                    $85.00
4. Screened Topsoil Backfill & Sun/Shade Grass Seed Application $65.00
5. Restricted Backyard Gate Access Surcharge (36" Track Machine) $40.00
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SUBTOTAL:                                                      $460.00
Local Sales Tax (if applicable):                               $0.00
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TOTAL AMOUNT DUE & PAYABLE:                                    $460.00
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PAYMENT STATUS: DUE BEFORE LOADING MACHINE ON TRAILER
Accepted Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card (Mobile Reader), Apple Pay, Cash, Venmo.
Thank you for letting us clear your property!
================================================================================

Per-inch diameter pricing math vs. minimum call-out fees

Stump grinding billing depends on stump hardness, root flare diameter, and machine power:

Per-Inch Diameter Pricing ($3.00–$6.00 per inch): Measure the stump at ground level across its widest root flare (not just the top cut). A 30-inch hardwood stump at $4.50/inch equals $135. Hardwood stumps (Oak, Hickory, Maple) take 50% longer to grind than softwood stumps (Pine, Poplar).
Minimum Job Call-Out Fee ($120–$150): Always enforce a mandatory minimum service charge to cover transport fuel, trailer loading/unloading, and teeth wear on your stump grinding wheel.
Deep Root Chase Surcharge ($50–$120 extra): If the customer plans to replant a new tree or pour a concrete slab over the area, grinding 12 to 18 inches deep to sever main taproots requires extra time and incurs extra tooth wear.

Itemizing chip haul-away, topsoil backfill, and 811 locates

Never leave wood chip cleanup ambiguous on your invoice:

Wood Chip Removal vs. On-Site Mulch Credit ($50–$120): Grinding a 30-inch stump creates 3 to 4 times its volume in wood mulch. Hauling chips off requires manual shovel work and dump fees. Offer a $50 discount if the customer keeps the mulch for garden beds.
Topsoil & Seed Backfill ($45–$95): Filling deep stump holes with topsoil, leveling, and sowing grass seed leaves a finished lawn ready for growth.
811 One-Call Utility Locates: State law requires calling 811 prior to sub-surface digging. Note the 811 ticket number on your invoice to prove public utility lines (gas, electric, cable) were marked.

On-site billing workflow: Paid before loading the trailer

Take payment immediately upon completing lawn raking:

Depth & Clean Inspection: Walk the cleared stump area with the homeowner to verify depth specifications and gate latch closure.
Driveway Payment Collection: Present the digital invoice on your mobile phone or tablet. Take credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, cash, or Venmo payments on the spot before winching your grinder onto the trailer.

If you also offer full tree removal, see our free tree service estimate template or read our guide on how to price tree removal jobs.