Top 8 stump grinding services on the Gold Coast
Stump grinders on the Gold Coast, from a small backyard stump to big gums on acreage. Specialists with narrow machines for tight gates come first, then tree services that grind stumps as part of a removal.
Last reviewed October 2026 by 
Steven Piper
- 8stump grinders checked
- 4.9average Google rating
- 1offer 24/7 emergency work
Also on the Gold Coast: Tree removal · Arborists · Emergency
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What we check for every listing
- A real businessAn ABN that matches the trading name, a named owner and a real local base. No call-forwarding fronts.
- ReputationA strong record of Google reviews built up over years, not a handful.
- Qualified crewArborist qualifications and insurance as the business states them. Ask to see certificates.
- Direct contactPhone numbers and links go to the business itself.
The best stump grinders on the Gold Coast
Ranked on reputation, experience, focus on stump work and how well each business handles tight access. Ratings are from Google Maps.
Rankings are editorial and no business pays to be listed or to move up. Any paid placement is labelled Featured. Qualifications and insurance are as each business states them, so ask to see certificates. How we make money
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1
ASAP Stump Grinding
Covers the Gold Coast, from Brisbane's south side to Cabarita and out to Jimboomba
Best for tight access, slopes and retaining walls
- Narrow tracked grinder, 84 cm wide, for slopes and hard to reach yards, the business says.
- Will take off fence panels, pool fences and gates to get in, then refit them.
- Most jobs quoted over the phone from photos, according to the business.
- Usually available within 72 hours, the business says.
More about ASAP Stump Grinding
ASAP Stump Grinding is a Gold Coast stump grinding specialist covering the coast and surrounds, from Brisbane's south side down to Cabarita and out to Jimboomba. It runs a narrow tracked grinder for retaining walls, slopes and tight spots, and has access to a much bigger machine for large stumps on acreage.
The business says about 95% of jobs can be quoted over the phone from photos and details of the access, with no hourly rates and no cancellation fee. It says it is fully insured and is usually available within 72 hours.
- Based in
- Gold Coast
- Does
- Stump grinding
-
2
Gold Coast Stump Busters
Gaven base, covers Logan to Tweed Heads
Best for specialist grinding, including tight-access backyards
- Grinding stumps on the Gold Coast since 2003, the business says.
- Owner Jake Heyman is a qualified arborist.
- Runs a Bandit SG40, a Toro STX26 and a small rubber-wheeled access machine.
- Covers Logan to Tweed Heads from its Gaven base.
More about Gold Coast Stump Busters
Gold Coast Stump Busters does one job: stump grinding and stump removal. The business dates to 2003, and Jake Heyman, a qualified arborist who started there as an employee, bought it in 2007, according to the company.
It runs three machines, the business says: a Bandit SG40, a Toro STX26 and a small Stump Humper on rubber wheels for stumps with limited access. Recent jobs on its site include palm stumps and stumps beside retaining walls. It works from Gaven, covers Logan to Tweed Heads and says it is fully insured.
- Based in
- Gaven
- Since
- 2003
- Qualifications
- Owner is a qualified arborist
- Does
- Stump grinding
-
3
JC Tree Services
Gaven base, covers the whole Gold Coast
Best for stump grinding after a full tree removal
- Grinds stumps as part of its removals, so one crew handles the whole job.
- Owner Jez Copley holds a Diploma of Arboriculture, the business says.
More about JC Tree Services
JC Tree Services is a Gaven tree company that lists stump grinding alongside removals, pruning and land clearing. That makes it a sensible call when a tree has to come down and the stump needs to go as well, since one crew can do both.
Owner Jez Copley completed a Diploma of Arboriculture in 2013, and the business says it is a qualified member of the Queensland Arboricultural Association. It also advertises 24 hour storm call-outs, which helps when a fallen tree leaves a root plate behind.
- Based in
- Gaven
- Qualifications
- Diploma of Arboriculture (AQF Level 5), QAA member
- Insurance
- $20 million public liability, plus WorkCover for staff
- Does
- Stump grinding, Removal, Emergency
- Emergency
- 24/7, the business says
- Want 2 quotes to compare? Tell us about the job once and we'll pass it on.Get 2 quotes
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4
Mick Brewer Tree Services
Molendinar depot, covers the Gold Coast
Best for stump grinding from a top-rated local tree crew
- Lists stump grinding and stump removal with its removal and land clearing work.
- Works seven days a week from a Molendinar depot, the business says.
More about Mick Brewer Tree Services
Mick Brewer Tree Services is a family-run tree company in Molendinar that lists stump grinding and stump removal among its core services. It suits homeowners who want the tree, the stump and the green waste dealt with by the same crew.
The business states AQF Level 3 and Level 5 arborist qualifications and says it is fully certified and insured. It also sells mulch and says it works seven days a week.
- Based in
- Molendinar
- Qualifications
- AQF Level 3 and Level 5 arborists
- Does
- Stump grinding, Removal, Land clearing
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5
Affordable Stump Grinding
Elanora base, covers Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta
Best for remote-controlled grinders for southern Gold Coast yards
- Established in 2010 by Craig Trewin, the business says.
- Runs 25hp and 33hp remote-controlled grinders that fit through standard gates.
- Checks for underground services before each job, according to its listing.
- Covers Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta from Elanora.
More about Affordable Stump Grinding
Affordable Stump Grinding was set up in 2010 by Craig Trewin and works from Elanora across the southern and central Gold Coast. It handles stump grinding and stump removal for homes and commercial sites.
According to the business, it runs 25hp and 33hp remote-controlled grinders and mobile rigs sized to fit through standard gates, and checks for underground services before it starts. Stumps are ground to mulch, with debris removal on request. It says it is fully insured and White Card accredited.
- Based in
- Elanora
- Since
- 2010
- Does
- Stump grinding
-
6
Stump Grinding Gold Coast
Ashmore base, covers the Gold Coast
Best for owner-operator grinding with free onsite inspections
- Owner-operator Kevin Nelson is named in most reviews.
- Offers free onsite inspections and green waste removal.
- Uses a Red Roo stump grinder, the business says.
More about Stump Grinding Gold Coast
Stump Grinding Gold Coast is a one-man specialist run by owner-operator Kevin Nelson, who reviewers name again and again. The business sticks to stump grinding and green waste removal, and offers free onsite inspections when a customer wants one.
Its site shows a Red Roo stump grinder at work. It is a newer business, registered in 2025, but it has already built a perfect score across 33 Google reviews.
- Based in
- Ashmore
- Does
- Stump grinding
-
7
Speedy Stump Grinding
Oxenford base, covers the northern and central Gold Coast
Best for narrow-gate grinding and stump grinder hire
- Compact machines need about 90cm of gate clearance, the business says.
- Also hires out stump grinders short and long term.
- Takes on palm stumps, golden canes, yuccas and root removal.
More about Speedy Stump Grinding
Speedy Stump Grinding is a family-run specialist in Oxenford, run by Steve, according to the site. It grinds and removes stumps, including palms, golden canes, yuccas and jacarandas, and can take out roots.
The business says its compact machines need about 90cm of clearance through gates, and it has larger models for big stumps. It also hires out stump grinders short or long term and says it is fully insured.
- Based in
- Oxenford
- Does
- Stump grinding, Palms
-
8
Arrow Tree Services
Tallai base, covers the Gold Coast and hinterland
Best for removal and grinding from one family crew
- Lists stump grinding with removals and block clearing.
- Supplies mulch and firewood from its Tallai yard.
More about Arrow Tree Services
Arrow Tree Services is a family tree business in Tallai that includes stump grinding in its removal and block clearing work. It claims more than 25 years in the tree industry and says it has the machines to get jobs done efficiently.
It suits hinterland and acreage owners who want a tree felled and the stump cleared in one booking. The business says it is fully insured and offers free quotes.
- Based in
- Tallai
- Does
- Stump grinding, Removal, Land clearing
How much does stump grinding cost on the Gold Coast?
Typical ranges for South East Queensland. Your quote depends on the job, so get two to compare.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Stump grinding, small stump under 30 cm | $150 to $300 |
| Stump grinding, medium stump 30 to 60 cm | $250 to $500 |
| Stump grinding, large stump over 60 cm | $400 to $900 |
Typical ranges in South East Queensland from published Australian cost guides and marketplace data, checked October 2026. Prices include GST where the source gives it. Access, powerlines, the species, how much green waste goes and whether a crane is needed move a quote the most.
Do you need council approval on the Gold Coast?
City of Gold Coast protects many trees on private land. Check before any work starts, because penalties fall on the owner.
What's protected
Assessable vegetation: trees over 4 m tall, trunks over 40 cm around at 1.3 m, and anything mapped on the Vegetation Management Overlay. That covers most mature trees.
When you don't need approval
Trees close to an approved house, shed or garage, along a boundary fence, within 1.5 m of a pool fence, pest species confirmed by a Level 3 arborist, or trees a council Level 5 arborist deems dangerous.
When you do
Lodge a development application for operational works, vegetation clearing. Fees and supporting documents depend on the type of application.
Check first
Run the council's self-assessment checklist or call 07 5582 8708. Body corporate land follows separate rules.
Official source: City of Gold Coast. More detail in our Gold Coast tree removal rules guide.
Trees near powerlines
Energex looks after the lines up to the first point of contact on your property, and normally trims trees growing into street powerline clearance for free. Lines past your first property pole are yours to keep clear. Never trim near powerlines yourself.
Neighbour's tree over the fence
You can cut overhanging branches and roots back to your boundary, unless a protection order covers the tree. If branches overhang more than 50 cm and sit under 2.5 m, a Form 3 notice gives your neighbour at least 30 days to deal with them. For higher branches, you can cut back to the boundary yourself or apply to QCAT.
Storm damage
A tree down on the house or across the driveway? Get people clear first, then call for help. 1 of the businesses on this list say they do 24/7 emergency work.
Stump grinding or stump removal?
Grinding chews the stump down below ground level with a spinning cutter wheel and leaves a pile of mulch. It's the usual choice on suburban blocks because it's quick and leaves the lawn or garden around it intact.
Full removal digs out the stump and main roots, usually with an excavator. It costs more and makes more mess, so it's mostly for building sites, driveways and pools where the roots have to go.
Before grinding, the operator should check for underground services, and Before You Dig Australia is free to use. Say what you want the spot for, turf, a garden bed or a slab, because that decides how deep to grind.
How we chose these stump grinders
We built the list from public information, then checked each business by hand.
- 1
Build a long list
We started with stump grinders on the Gold Coast found through Google Maps, the Queensland Arboricultural Association and local searches from Coomera to Coolangatta and up into the hinterland.
- 2
Weed out the fronts
Tree lopping is full of keyword websites that forward calls to whoever pays. We checked each business's ABN, owner and base, and dropped any we couldn't confirm.
- 3
Check reputation
Shortlisted businesses needed a strong, consistent record of Google reviews over years. A few glowing reviews wasn't enough.
- 4
Read their own details
Qualifications, insurance, services and service area come from each business's own website. If a detail was unclear, we left it out.
- 5
Rank the list
Ranked on reputation, experience, focus on stump work and how well each business handles tight access.
What doesn't affect ranking
- Payment. No business pays to be listed or to rank higher.
- Size or advertising spend.
- Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it.
Stump grinding on the Gold Coast: questions people ask
How much does stump grinding cost on the Gold Coast?
In South East Queensland, grinding a small stump under 30 cm usually costs $150 to $300, a medium stump of 30 to 60 cm $250 to $500, and a large stump over 60 cm $400 to $900. Several stumps on one visit usually cost less per stump.
Do I need council approval to remove a tree on the Gold Coast?
Often, yes. The City of Gold Coast protects what it calls assessable vegetation: trees more than 4 m tall, trees with a trunk more than 40 cm around at 1.3 m above the ground, and vegetation mapped on its Vegetation Management Overlay. Some work is exempt, such as trees close to an approved building or along a boundary fence (distances depend on lot size), within 1.5 m of a pool fence, or judged dangerous by a council Level 5 arborist. Anything else needs an operational works application for vegetation clearing. Read our Gold Coast tree rules guide.
How long does stump grinding take?
It depends on the stump's size, the species and the access. Ask the operator when you get your quote, and send photos so they can judge it without a site visit.
What happens to the mulch?
Grinding leaves a pile of wood chips and soil where the stump was. Some operators take it away and some leave it for you to spread, so ask which is included in the quote.
Can a grinder get into my backyard?
Tell the operator how wide your side access is. It decides which machine can get in, and many stump grinding businesses carry a narrow machine for tight gates.
Get 2 quotes on the Gold Coast
Tell us about the job once. We'll pass it to up to 2 local businesses that cover your suburb.
General information only. Always confirm qualifications, insurance, council approval and price directly with the business before work starts.