Yea one of the bushes we used to have to trim twice per year was slated for removal. I cut it down to ground level with a chain saw, and had all that cleaned up. Then I went with shovel to get the roots out. It was just a solid mass of roots. I went to the storage shed, and got my cutter Mattock like this one.
It only sank in a few inches with all the roots in place. I said screw that, and told the master gardener to call Joaquin to do that. He showed up with several friends and they beat on it and got it dug out. I know my limits, and that was over my limit. I don't know what she paid him, but it was worth it.