Stump grinder (walk-behind or tow-behind)
Core machine — buy used to start, upgrade after first few months.
Can You Make $40K a Year Grinding Stumps?
Stump grinding is one of the simplest, most profitable service businesses you can run on weekends. No license required. One machine. $200–$250 per job. Show up, grind, get paid — and be done by lunch with $500–$700 in your pocket.
Easy
Home Services
$4,000–$10,000 Start
8–12 hours a week
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Business Idea snapshot
How to launch a stump grinding side hustle, earn $150–$225 per hour of work, and hit $40K a year running jobs on weekends.
PROBLEM IT SOLVES
Tree removal companies cut the tree and leave the stump — homeowners are left with an eyesore they can't deal with themselves.
REVENUE MODEL
Per-job flat pricing ($200–$250 per stump). Multi-stump bundles ($600–$800 per visit). No license, no recurring overhead.
TARGET CUSTOMER
Homeowners post-tree-removal, landscapers needing a subcontractor, property managers, municipalities, and real estate flippers.
MOONLIGHTING BENEFITS
Jobs are 30–60 min each, no follow-up needed, no license required, done by lunch on Saturday with $500+ in your pocket.
What you need to get started
Must Have
$2,000-8,000
ViewOptional
Stump grinder rental (rent-first option)
Test demand before buying — covers itself on the first job.
$200-400 /day
ViewMust Have
Trailer (equipment hauler)
Transport your stump grinder safely between job sites.
$1,500-3,000
ViewMust Have
Truck or SUV with tow hitch
Required to tow your trailer and stump grinder to jobs.
$0-500
ViewMust Have
Safety glasses / face shield
Flying wood chips and debris are constant — non-negotiable.
$10-40
ViewMust Have
Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)
Stump grinders are extremely loud — protect your hearing.
$10-40
ViewMust Have
Heavy-duty work gloves
Protect hands when handling debris and operating controls.
$15-40
ViewMust Have
Steel-toed work boots
Required foot protection around heavy equipment and debris.
$60-180
ViewMust Have
Chainsaw chaps or work pants
Protect legs from flying chips and equipment contact.
$40-120
ViewMust Have
Replacement cutting teeth / pockets
Teeth dull fast — stock extras to avoid downtime mid-job.
$50-200
ViewMust Have
Rake, shovel & cleanup tools
Clear wood chip debris and leave the yard clean after grinding.
$30-80
ViewMust Have
General liability insurance
Covers property damage — required by most customers.
$500-1,200 /year
ViewMust Have
Branded work shirts (2–3)
Look professional on-site and build brand recognition.
$60-150
ViewMust Have
Door hangers (250–500 ct.)
Drop in neighborhoods where you spot stumps — high ROI.
$40-100 /order
ViewMust Have
Business cards
Leave with tree services, landscapers, and satisfied customers.
$20-60 /order
ViewMust Have
Google Business Profile (free)
Show up in 'stump grinding near me' searches instantly.
$0-0
ViewMust Have
Online scheduling / invoicing tool
Take bookings and send invoices from your phone.
$0-30 /month
ViewOptional
Truck or trailer vinyl wrap / magnetic signs
Turn your vehicle into a rolling billboard in every neighborhood.
$100-600
ViewMust Have
Utility locate (811 call — free)
Call before every job to mark underground lines — required by law.
$0-0
ViewStep-by-step: Validate this idea
Research Local Competition
Search 'stump grinding [your city]' and call 5 competitors as a mystery shopper. Get their pricing per stump, response time, and whether they offer multi-stump discounts. This sets your baseline and shows you the gap to compete on.
Time: 2–3 hoursTest Demand in Your Area
Post in local Facebook groups and Nextdoor offering a weekend special on stump removal. Drive around for 30 minutes and count stumps you can see from the road — then post 'I can take care of that this Saturday.' Track how many responses you get before spending a dollar on equipment.
Time: 1–2 hoursRent a Machine and Book Test Jobs
Rent a stump grinder for $200–$400 for a Saturday. Book 3–4 jobs through your social posts and a few door hangers. Your first job covers the rental. Everything after that is profit. This is your proof of concept before any equipment purchase.
Time: 1 weekendComplete Test Jobs and Track Your Numbers
Execute your booked jobs. Track actual grind time per stump, total job time door-to-door, gross revenue, and rental cost. Take before/after photos and ask every customer for a Google review. Calculate your true hourly rate.
Time: 3–5 hours per jobAnalyze Results and Decide
Review your effective hourly rate, customer feedback, and referral conversations. If your test day cleared $500+ after the rental fee, the demand is there. Decide whether to buy a machine or run a few more rental weekends first before committing.
Time: 1 hour analysisFirst 30 days plan
1
Week 1
Setup
- Research local pricing
- Order safety gear
- Set up Google profile
- Print door hangers
2
Week 2
Customers
- Post in FB/Nextdoor
- Call local tree services
- Drop 100 door hangers
- Book 3–4 test jobs
3
Week 3
Refine
- Rent & run test jobs
- Get 3 Google reviews
- Track time per stump
- Set your flat pricing
4
Week 4
Decide
- Calculate profit/hr
- Buy or rent again?
- Add tree co. partners
- Plan next month's jobs
How to get your first customers
Local
- Call every tree service in town
- Drop door hangers on stump yards
- Partner with landscaping companies
- Leave cards at nurseries & hardware stores
- Network with real estate investors
Online
- Google Business Profile with photos
- Before/after posts on Facebook
- Nextdoor service provider listing
- Simple one-page booking website
- Local SEO for 'stump grinding [city]'
Free Ideas
- Referral fee to tree services
- Multi-stump bundle discount
- Free neighbor quote at each job
- Offer landscapers a rev-share
- Seasonal spring/fall promotions
Upsells
- Haul away wood chip debris
- Fill hole with topsoil/seed
- Surface root grinding add-on
- Commercial lot clearing
- Recurring property maintenance deal
Sample outreach scripts
Tree Service Partner Call
Hey, my name is [Name] — I run a stump grinding service in [City]. I know most tree crews don't grind, so I wanted to reach out — next time a customer asks about the stump, send them my number. I turn jobs around fast, I'm insured, and I'm happy to pay a referral fee for every job you send my way. Can I leave you my info?
Facebook / Nextdoor Post
🪵 Got a stump you've been staring at? I'll grind it out this weekend and haul the chips. $200–$250 for most stumps, multi-stump discounts available. Licensed, insured, and I show up when I say I will. DM me or visit [your website] for a free quote. Serving [City] and surrounding areas.
Door Hanger Script (Leave at Homes with Visible Stumps)
Hey neighbor — I noticed you've got a stump in your yard. I'm [Name], your local stump grinding service. I can grind it down flush with the ground this week for as low as $200. No mess left behind. Scan the QR code for a free quote or call/text [your number].
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WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or