--- title: "How to Choose a Stump Grinding Company: Questions to Ask" description: "How to choose a stump grinding company: ask about insurance, written estimates, cleanup and permits. A checklist from ISA, BBB and state AG tips." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-choose-a-stump-grinding-company publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # How to choose a stump grinding company: what to ask before you hire Ask for proof of insurance, get more than one written estimate, check local permit rules, and put cleanup and payment terms in writing. ISA, the Better Business Bureau and the Ohio and Kentucky Attorneys General all give this advice. Do not accept the lowest bid without comparing what each quote includes. GuideUpdated October 26, 20265 min read ## Proof of insurance ISA says to ask for proof of insurance and call the insurance company. BBB says homeowner's insurance is not enough. ## More than one estimate The Ohio and Kentucky Attorneys General both advise getting at least three written estimates. ## Cleanup in writing BBB says to ask whether cleanup is included. Iowa State Extension says chips and hole fill are often extra. ## Payment safety BBB says never make a large payment or deposit upfront. ## Check permits Cities may have permit rules for tree work. Ask who handles them. ## How do you choose a stump grinding company? Check four things: insurance, written estimates, cleanup terms and payment terms. The same advice appears across the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Ohio and Kentucky Attorneys General. None of those pages is written for stump grinding alone, so this guide applies their general advice to a stump job. Use the list below on every company you call, including this one. It names no company and makes no claim about any business. For the work itself, read [how stump grinding works](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-stump-grinding-works) first. Question Why ask Source Can you show proof of insurance? Homeowner’s insurance may not cover injuries from tree work. ISA, BBB Is the estimate in writing? A written estimate lets you compare quotes. ISA, BBB, Ohio and Kentucky Attorneys General What does the price include? Chips and hole fill are often extra. Iowa State Extension, BBB Do local permits apply? Cities set their own rules for public trees. BBB, Ohio Attorney General How and when do I pay? A large deposit upfront is a warning sign. BBB, Ohio Attorney General ## What should you ask about insurance? Ask for proof, then check it. ISA says to ask for proof of insurance and call the insurance company. BBB says your homeowner’s insurance isn’t enough to protect you if someone gets injured doing tree work on your property. It advises verifying that the company has personal and property damage liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. The Kentucky Attorney General lists a requirement that the contractor obtain workmen’s compensation and public liability insurance as a point to put in a contract. The Ohio Attorney General advises asking to see proof of licenses, insurance and bonding, and says state law does not require home improvement contractors to be licensed, but many Ohio cities do. Do not assume any company has any of these. Ask, and keep a copy of what you are shown. ## Should you get more than one estimate? Yes. The Ohio Attorney General lists at least three written estimates from three different contractors. The Kentucky Attorney General gives the same number. ISA says to get more than one estimate and ask for references. ISA also says not to always accept the lowest bid. It suggests weighing price, work to be done, skills and professionalism. For a stump, that means checking that each quote uses the same depth and the same cleanup. Iowa State Extension says arborists charge by the size of the stump, measured at its widest point, so give each company the same measurement. See [how to measure a stump for a quote](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-measure-a-stump-for-a-quote) and [stump grinding cost](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/stump-grinding-cost). Compare Company A Company B Company C Stump size used for the quote Depth below the soil line Chips left, raked or hauled Hole filled with topsoil Proof of insurance shown Total and payment terms ## Who handles cleanup and chips? Ask before the visit. BBB says to inquire about how the company plans to clean up debris after completing the job. Iowa State Extension says most arborists will not remove the wood shavings unless it is requested, that the hole is only filled if requested, and that both typically cost extra. Cleanup is where quotes differ most. One may stop at grinding. Another may rake the chips, haul them away or fill the hole with topsoil. Read [what to do with stump grindings](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/what-to-do-with-stump-grindings) and [after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding) so you know what you want. Terms such as [stump grindings](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grindings), [wood chips](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/wood-chips) and [topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil) help you ask clearly. ## Do you need an ISA Certified Arborist? It depends on the job. BBB advises opting for a Certified Arborist when possible for tree work and says titles like “arborist” or “tree surgeon” don’t require special certificates or training. ISA offers a free “Verify a Credential” tool to confirm whether an arborist holds an ISA credential. For a plain stump grind, a company may not employ one. Ask what credentials the company holds. If it names an ISA credential, verify it on the ISA site. See the glossary entries for [ISA Certified Arborist](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/isa-certified-arborist) and [tree service](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-service). ## What about permits and public trees? Check before work starts. BBB advises checking with your city and county and your homeowners’ association about permit or licensing requirements. The Ohio Attorney General advises checking with local officials to see if permits are required. A stump on the strip between the sidewalk and the street may belong to the city. See [who owns the stump on the tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn) and [before you grind: 811, tree lawns and permits](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits). Private lines are covered in [how to get ready for stump grinding day](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/how-to-get-ready-for-stump-grinding-day). ## How should you pay? Slowly and with a record. BBB says never to make a large payment or deposit upfront, and to pay by check or credit card for added protection. The Ohio Attorney General says the contract should not require a large down payment or payment in full until the project is complete and has been inspected. For small jobs like a stump, a written estimate that lists the price, the work and the payment method does the same job as a contract. Keep your receipt. ## What are the warning signs? Watch for these, each taken from the sources above: 1. A company that will not show proof of insurance. (ISA, BBB) 2. Pressure to sign on the spot. (Kentucky Attorney General) 3. A large deposit demanded upfront. (BBB, Ohio Attorney General) 4. Door-to-door offers of bargains. ISA says to be wary of people who go door to door and offer bargains. 5. Verbal promises that are not written down. (Kentucky Attorney General) If a problem comes up, the Kentucky Attorney General advises trying to resolve it with the contractor first and then contacting the Attorney General’s Office. The Ohio Attorney General suggests checking the local BBB and its own office to see if complaints are on file. ## Next step Once you have your list of questions, read [how to get ready for stump grinding day](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/how-to-get-ready-for-stump-grinding-day). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### What should I ask a stump grinding company before hiring? Ask for proof of insurance, a written estimate that lists what is included, who handles cleanup and chips, whether permits apply, and how payment works. ISA also suggests asking for references. Get at least three written estimates so you can compare. ### Do I need an ISA Certified Arborist to grind a stump? Not necessarily. ISA and BBB advise hiring an ISA Certified Arborist for tree care when possible, and ISA offers a free tool to verify a credential. A stump grinding company may or may not employ one. Ask what credentials, if any, it holds. ### Is the cheapest quote a good choice? Compare before you decide. ISA says not to always accept the lowest bid, and to weigh price, work to be done, skills and professionalism together. Check that each quote covers the same depth, chips and cleanup. ### How much deposit is safe to pay? BBB says never to make a large payment or deposit upfront. The Ohio Attorney General says the contract should not require a large down payment or payment in full until the project is complete and has been inspected. Ask how and when you will be asked to pay. ### Where can I check a company's complaints? The Ohio Attorney General suggests checking with the local Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's office to see if complaints are on file. In Kentucky, you can contact the Attorney General's office if a problem is not resolved with the contractor. ## Terms on this page - [ISA Certified Arborist](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/isa-certified-arborist) - [Stump grindings](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grindings) - [Arboriculture](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/arboriculture) - [Tree service](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-service) - [Wood chips](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/wood-chips) - [Tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) - [Topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil) ## Sources 1. [ISA TreesAreGood.org: Why Hire an Arborist?](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Why%20Hire%20An%20Arborist_0321.pdf) 2. [BBB: How to hire a reputable arborist or tree service company](https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/18640-bbb-tip-tree-service) 3. [Ohio Attorney General: Consumer Tips Home Improvement](https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Consumer-Tips/Consumer-Tips-Home-Improvement) 4. [Kentucky Attorney General: Home Repair and Improvement](https://www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/Consumer-Resources/Consumers/home/Pages/home-improvement.aspx) 5. [Iowa State Extension: How to remove tree stumps](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-remove-tree-stumps) Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [Stump grinding cost: what shapes the price and what to askStump grinding cost depends mostly on stump width, measured at its widest point. Many pros price by the inch and add a minimum charge. Access, wood type, depth and cleanup change the total. Published guides show wide ranges, so a quote for your own stump is the only number that counts.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/stump-grinding-cost) - [How stump grinding works, from the first pass to the pile of chipsA stump grinder swings a spinning wheel with teeth across the stump and chips the wood away, usually to 8 to 12 inches below the soil line. Iowa State Extension says the stump is gone within a matter of hours. A pile of chips stays in the hole unless you ask for removal.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-stump-grinding-works) - [How to measure a stump for a grinding quote, step by stepMeasure the stump across its widest point, in inches. Iowa State Extension says arborists charge by stump size measured there. Note the height, any surface roots and what is nearby. Photos with a tape measure in view help a company quote without a visit.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-measure-a-stump-for-a-quote) - [What to do after stump grinding: chips, topsoil, grass and new treesAfter stump grinding, a pile of wood chips stays in the hole. Extension sources advise hauling the chips away, filling the hole with quality topsoil, and adding a little extra soil because the ground settles as buried wood rots. Wait to plant a tree directly over the old stump.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding) - [What to do with stump grindings: mulch, compost, haul away, and local limitsStump grindings can be hauled off, composted, or used as mulch away from new plantings. Do not mix them into the soil where you want grass or a tree to grow, because wood ties up nitrogen. Check local rules first: Cincinnati curbside yard waste does not take logs or stumps thicker than 6 inches.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/what-to-do-with-stump-grindings)