Landscaping Bid Advice - Stump removal

[Southern Oasis]

I have a job where I have to remove 4 stumps. Two are Queen Palms that were probably 8 inches in diameter at the base and two are Pygmy Date Palms (Phoenix Roebelenii) with two stalks each. I have no idea how long it will take me to remove these stumps, so I am unsure how to set the price. Is there any rule of thumb regarding this. Also, I hear that Palms can be difficult to remove. They have been cut down to stumps for an entire season, as they didn't make it through the winter of 2009/2010. Two of the stumps seem very dry (rotten) above the surface of the ground, but I don't know the condition of the roots. Any input will be appreciated.

[950thomas]

Lawn care business tips

Sounds like $200 if u are using a stump grinder

[Steve]

Have you thought about how you want to remove them? Do you want to pull them out or are you looking to grind them down and then cover with dirt?

[Southern Oasis]

Thanks for the input. I need to get three of them out and plant new trees in their place. The other one just needs to come out, but nothing is going back in that spot (at least for now).
Also, do any of you have an price per square foot for cleaning grass out of flower beds or do you just estimate how long it will take and charage it by the hour? The grass has covered the beds pretty well in this case. Thanks again.

[Southern Oasis]

In the case of the stump grinder, I would have to rent one. Is that the best way to go? I have heard that palms can be tough on the blades and a pain in general to get out.

[Steve]

I would think the stump grinder would be a good way to go. Check with your local rental places for rates, also if you have a home depot there, they sometimes have stump grinders as well.

I'd make sure I cut the stump down as low as possible before I started to grind it to minimize time spent using the grinder.

Let us know how it goes and take some pictures.