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If you’re hiring a company to perform stump grinding—or any home service for that matter—you’ll want them to at least have general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. This type of coverage protects both you and the business in the case of any accidents. Professional liability insurance and inland marine insurance plans are also important for tree companies to have. Ask any pro you’re considering hiring about licenses and insurance coverage before booking the job.

If you’re planning on keeping the tree, unless the roots are invasive, there’s no need to remove them, as doing so can cause damage to the tree. If the tree has been cut down and the stump and roots are left, grinding and removing the stump can cause root decay for some species. For other species, the stump and roots will need to be removed to prevent pests, disease, and possible tree regrowth.

Tree removal costs an average of $750, but it can range from $200 to $2,000, depending on the tree's height, diameter, and accessibility. For instance, very large, thick trees will generally cost more to remove than small, thin trees. It's also typically customary to tip your tree removal professional, usually $20 to $100.

Whether it's better to grind or remove a stump depends on your professional tree service’s advice and what you intend for the landscape to look like after removal. Grinding is faster and likely more affordable, but manual removal unearths the root system and leaves the potential for a clean slate for landscape design.