Should You Remove Stumps Before Selling Your Ottawa Home?
Short answer: yes, almost always. Here's the longer version — including what buyers actually think, what agents recommend, and whether the math works out.
What Buyers See When They See a Stump
Most buyers aren't stump removal experts. They don't know that a typical stump costs $75–$150 to remove. What they do know is that a stump looks like a problem — something neglected, something they'll have to deal with, something that will cost them money.
In a buyer's mind, a stump might represent:
- ✓Unknown cost (they'll often assume much higher than reality)
- ✓A hazard for kids or elderly family members
- ✓Evidence that the property hasn't been well-maintained
- ✓A landscaping project they have to take on
A $150 stump can be perceived as a $1,000 problem by a buyer who doesn't know any better — and that perception affects offers.
What Ottawa Real Estate Agents Say
We've talked to many Ottawa-area realtors and the feedback is consistent: curb appeal and yard condition matter disproportionately to sale price and speed of sale.
Buyers make emotional decisions in the first 30 seconds of a showing — and that first impression starts at the curb. A clean, stump-free yard signals a well-maintained property. A stump (or multiple stumps) does the opposite.
Specific agent advice we hear regularly:
- ✓"Remove the stump before listing — buyers use it as a negotiating chip even if they weren't going to complain"
- ✓"A $200 stump removal can prevent a $2,000 price concession"
- ✓"It's a small investment that makes the yard photograph better and show better"
Does the Math Work Out?
A single stump at $75–$150 to remove: almost always worth it.
Multiple stumps on a property with, say, 5 stumps at $70/ft average: likely $350–$700 total. If it prevents even one round of negotiation or gets you a faster sale, it pays for itself.
The ROI on stump removal before a sale is typically 5:1 to 10:1 — you spend a few hundred dollars and prevent thousands in price concessions.
What About Disclosure?
In Ontario, sellers are generally required to disclose known defects. A stump itself isn't typically a structural defect — but if the stump is causing drainage issues, root damage to a structure, or pest infestation, those conditions may need to be disclosed. Removing the stump eliminates the question entirely.
Timing: When to Book
Book stump removal at least 2–3 weeks before your listing goes live. This gives time for:
- ✓The grinding to be completed
- ✓The area to be filled with topsoil
- ✓Grass seed to be laid and germinate before photos are taken
- ✓The yard to look its best for listing photos
For spring listings (Ottawa's busiest real estate season), book in March to secure a spot before the spring rush.
Get a Pre-Listing Quote
We offer fast, free quotes for sellers preparing to list. Call or email and we'll have your stumps gone well before your listing goes live.
📞 (613) 791-5366
✉️ Team@stickmanstumpremoval.ca
Serving Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Fully insured.
Ready to Remove Your Stump?
Free quotes. Same-week service across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.