Quick Answer: Raleigh-Durham stump grinding costs $3.25-$3.75 per inch, with the Triangle's competitive market and contractor density keeping prices among NC's lowest.

Triangle Metro Pricing

City	Rate/Inch	Notes
Raleigh	$3.50	Standard metro pricing
Durham	$3.25-$3.50	High competition
Cary	$3.50-$3.75	Newer developments, HOA requirements
Chapel Hill	$3.50-$3.75	Tree preservation ordinances add complexity
Apex/Morrisville	$3.25-$3.50	Good contractor coverage

Sample Triangle Stump Costs

Stump Size	Typical Cost
8-14" (dogwood, redbud)	$28-$52
18-26" (pine, oak)	$60-$97
30-40" (mature oak)	$98-$150
45"+ (large hardwood)	$147-$225

Why Triangle Pricing Is Competitive

High Contractor Density: The Raleigh-Durham metro has one of NC's highest concentrations of tree service companies. More competition = lower prices.

Mixed Soil Types: The Triangle sits between Piedmont clay and Coastal Plain sand. Most properties have moderate soil that's neither the fastest (beach sand) nor slowest (mountain rock) to grind.

Common Pine Species: Loblolly and longleaf pine dominate Triangle forests. Softer wood grinds faster and cheaper than hardwoods.

Triangle-Specific Considerations

Cary HOA Requirements: Many Cary neighborhoods have strict landscaping rules. Some HOAs require:

• Licensed/insured contractors only (verify before booking)
• Grinding to specific depths (12-18" below grade)
• Complete chip removal (no leaving chips on-site)
• Immediate replanting or sod installation

These requirements can add $50-$150 per stump. Always check your HOA docs first.

Chapel Hill Tree Ordinances: Chapel Hill has strict tree preservation laws. If your stump is from a protected tree species (certain oaks, hickories), you may need documentation of why it was removed. This doesn't affect grinding prices but can delay permits.

Durham vs Raleigh Comparison

Durham tends to run 10-15% cheaper than Raleigh due to:

• More small, independent contractors competing
• Fewer HOA restrictions in older neighborhoods
• Lower real estate prices = lower operating overhead

Best Time for Triangle Stump Grinding

• Winter (Dec-Feb): Slow season. Ask for 10-15% winter discounts (many offer them).
• Spring (Mar-May): Peak demand. Book 7-14 days ahead.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Hot weather reduces demand slightly. Good availability.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Second peak (storm cleanup). Prices normal but scheduling tight.

Multi-Stump Discounts

Triangle contractors offer aggressive multi-stump pricing:

• 2 stumps: 10-15% off
• 3-5 stumps: 20-30% off
• 6+ stumps: 30-40% off (highly competitive market)

Raleigh-Durham instant quote →