Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing follows a public bracket table by diameter. Every visit also carries a $150 service-call fee. The full table lives on the pricing page. If you mark your own stumps, you save $100. The price you see in the booking calculator is what you pay on the self-mark path; on the free-quote path the price you see is an estimate and we hand you a firm number on-site before any work starts.

We grind all stumps 6-8 inches below grade as our standard stump grinding service. This depth allows for proper grass seeding, landscaping, or even replanting in most cases. If you need deeper grinding for specific purposes (like building a structure), we can accommodate that - just let us know your requirements when requesting a quote.

After grinding, we level the wood chips over the area where the stump was located. Most customers use these chips as natural mulch for landscaping. Cleanup is included in the standard service — there is no per-job upcharge for raking the chips back into the hole.

Most single stumps take 30-60 minutes to grind and clean up. Larger stumps or multiple stumps will take longer. We'll give you an estimated timeframe when scheduling your service. Our focus is on doing the job completely and correctly, not rushing through it. Learn more about our grinding process.

No, you don't need to be home as long as we have clear access to the stump and you've approved the quote. Many customers prefer to leave us a key to a gate or provide access instructions. Payment is due upon completion, which you can handle when you return home or we can arrange electronic payment. We'll communicate clearly about timing and send confirmation when the work is complete.

We serve 122 cities and towns across five New Hampshire counties: Hillsborough, Merrimack, Belknap, Strafford, and Rockingham. This includes major cities like Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth, and surrounding communities. Check our service areas page for the complete list of locations, or contact us with your address to confirm we serve your area.

Use our online calculator for an instant estimate from the bracket table. If you'd rather have us measure for you, book a free on-site quote and we'll hand you a firm number while we're at the property.

We book at least one week in advance for every job. State law (NH RSA 374:51) requires us to call Dig Safe before any excavation, including grinding stumps, so utilities have time to mark their buried lines. Our universal one-week lead time covers that wait and absorbs weekends or holidays. See our Dig Safe page for the why.

We handle stumps of all sizes - from small ornamental tree stumps to large oak and pine stumps several feet in diameter. Our professional grinding equipment can grind stumps up to ground level and 6-8 inches below grade regardless of size. Larger stumps simply take more time and are priced accordingly.

We take care to minimize lawn damage. Our equipment is designed to access stumps without tearing up your yard. There will be some minor disturbance in the immediate area around the stump, which is unavoidable, but we're careful about protecting the surrounding lawn. We level the area and clean up thoroughly so you can restore the grass quickly.

We grind the stump 6-8 inches below grade, which effectively removes the visible stump and allows for normal lawn care and landscaping. The deep roots remain underground but will naturally decompose over time. This is different from full stump excavation (pulling the entire root ball), which is more invasive, expensive, and usually unnecessary for most residential purposes.

Yes, you can replant in the same location after grinding. Since we grind 6-8 inches below grade, there's enough depth for most plantings. For small plants and shrubs, you can plant immediately in the wood chip and soil mixture. For trees, we recommend removing some wood chips and adding fresh topsoil to give the new tree the best start. Wait a few weeks for initial settling before planting larger specimens.

Absolutely. Complete cleanup is part of our standard service. We level the wood chips over the ground area, remove debris from surrounding areas, and leave your property clean. We take pride in leaving job sites ready for your next steps, whether that's seeding grass, planting, or simply enjoying a clean yard.

Our standard stump grinding service includes: grinding the stump 6-8 inches below grade, grinding major surface roots, leveling wood chips over the area, and complete site cleanup. You get professional service, on-time arrival, clear communication, and quality work.

Across the base, where the root flare meets the soil, at the widest point. If your measurement lands exactly on a bracket boundary like 12 inches, it bills as the lower bracket — we round down in your favor. Full guide: how we measure.

We follow NH RSA 374:51 on every job, which means somebody has to physically mark the perimeter of the dig area in white paint before we call Dig Safe. There are two ways to handle that: you mark your own stumps for a $100 discount and we go straight to grind day, or we drive out for a free on-site quote, mark and measure for you, and come back to grind once you approve the firm price. Both paths are explained on the pricing page.

Yes, we offer volume pricing for multiple stumps. The per-stump cost decreases as the number of stumps increases, since we're already on-site with equipment. When requesting a quote, let us know how many stumps you have and we'll provide pricing for the complete job. Our online calculator automatically applies volume pricing.

Stump grinding can be done year-round in New Hampshire, weather permitting. Many customers prefer spring or fall when they're planning landscaping projects. However, winter grinding is possible during dry, frozen conditions. The best time is simply when it fits your schedule and project timeline. We operate in all seasons and will let you know if weather conditions require rescheduling.

Yes, we grind major surface roots as part of our standard service. We focus on roots in the immediate stump area that would interfere with lawn care or landscaping. Deep roots and roots extending far from the stump are left to decompose naturally. If you have specific concerns about root grinding (for example, roots near structures or utilities), discuss this when requesting your quote.

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. Payment is due upon completion of service when you can see the quality of our work. We'll provide an invoice showing the agreed-upon price - no surprise charges or hidden fees. For larger commercial jobs, we can discuss payment terms in advance.

Yes, we are fully insured. We carry general liability insurance to protect your property and our business. Proof of insurance is available upon request. Professional insurance is part of our commitment to running a legitimate, trustworthy business that you can rely on. Learn more about Merit Pro Services.

We actually show up and call back - which shouldn't be unique but unfortunately is in this industry. Beyond basic reliability, we're obsessed with quality (6-8 inches below grade minimum, never just surface grinding), transparent pricing (the quote is the price you pay), and professional service. We treat your property like our own and believe in doing excellent work, not just good enough work. Merit Pro is built on integrity and merit-based principles, which means we earn your business through proven quality and honest dealing. Read more about our company values and areas we serve.