Stumps, Boulders, Old Concrete and Demolition in Minneapolis

HomeGuide's national figures place stump removal at $100 to $400 on average and house demolition at $6,000 to $25,000. In Minneapolis, a house demolition needs a city wrecking permit and a licensed wrecking contractor.

All dollar amounts here are national ranges from HomeGuide, never our own prices for a Twin Cities job. Frost, glacial clay or sand, groundwater near the lakes, alley access and haul distance all move the real cost. The HomeGuide pages were checked in October 2026.

What does stump removal cost in a Twin Cities yard?

Stump removal in a Twin Cities yard averages $100 to $400 a stump, per HomeGuide. Grinders charge $2 to $6 an inch of diameter with $80 to $160 minimums, and pulling a stump with a backhoe is $80 to $190 each, with a $150 to $350 backhoe minimum.

Should I grind a stump or have it dug out before building?

You should have a stump dug out before building, because a buried stump rots and leaves a soft spot under a slab or a footing. Grinding is fine, and cheaper, where the spot stays lawn or garden.

What about 20 ash stumps, or one huge old oak stump?

Twenty ash stumps after emerald ash borer removals cost much less each than a single stump: HomeGuide lists the first at $120 to $400 and each added one at $30 to $60. One huge old oak stump costs $300 to $800 to grind. Where all the stumps sit in a future building area, the excavator digs them out in one pass.

Can I burn or bury brush on my property in the metro?

Burning brush is heavily restricted in most metro cities, so plan on chipping or hauling unless your city and the DNR fire rules allow a burn. Burying brush under a future lawn or building is a bad idea, because it rots and leaves the ground uneven.

Can an excavator remove glacial boulders or buried concrete?

Yes, an excavator removes glacial boulders, old footings and buried concrete, with a breaker when pieces are too large. HomeGuide prices rock removal at $50 to $200 a cubic yard kept on site and $220 to $250 hauled. Boulders left by the glaciers turn up in many Twin Cities digs.

What does it cost to tear down an old garage or shed?

Tearing down an old garage or shed costs $1,000 to $5,000 by HomeGuide's detached garage figure, including the slab and the haul. Power to the garage is disconnected first by an electrician, and most cities require a permit.

What does it cost to demolish a house in Minneapolis?

To demolish a house costs $4 to $10 a square foot, or $6,000 to $25,000 on average, in HomeGuide's national figures, and up to $25 a square foot with asbestos or lead. In Minneapolis, a wrecking permit is required to demolish a one- or two-family house or a commercial building, and the work must be done by a licensed wrecking contractor. HomeGuide puts demolition permits at $100 to $450 nationally; the city sets its own fee.

Need a real price for your Twin Cities property? Call or text (612) 688-4650; we walk the site first and then send the scope and price in writing.