How Much Does It Cost to Clean Gutters?
When it rains, snows, or hails, all the water that lands on your house must go somewhere. If not directed and funneled to an appropriate location, it could seep into your roof or walls, causing structural problems. This is why homeowners choose to install gutters. Gutters are crucial in keeping your house dry with no water damage. They work to move all precipitation away from your home into the downspouts, which then move the water to the ground. For gutters to work properly, they should be cleaned at least twice a year, in the fall and spring, to remove all debris. Fallen leaves, twigs, and dirt can quickly dam up a gutter system, causing it to malfunction.
The national average cost to clean gutters is between $150 and $225. Most people pay around $190 for a standard cleaning of 100 linear feet of gutters on a single-story house. At the low end of the spectrum, you can expect to pay around $100 for a standard cleaning of 100 linear feet of gutters on a single-story house with a repeat customer discount. At the high end, you can pay up to $450 for cleaning and debris removal of 150 linear feet of hard-to-access gutters on a single-story house with a clogged downspout and gutter repairs.
Cleaning Gutters Price
| Gutter Cleaning Cost | |
|---|---|
| National average cost | $190 |
| Average range | $150-$225 |
| Minimum cost | $100 |
| Maximum cost | $450 |
In this guide
Gutter Cleaning Prices by House Height
Gutter Cleaning Service Cost
Cost of Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts
Roof and Gutter Cleaning Cost
Clogged Gutter Problems
Benefits of Gutter Cleaning
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
Gutter Maintenance
How to Measure Gutters
Enhancements and Improvement Costs
Additional Considerations
FAQs
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Gutter Cleaning Cost by Project Range
Gutter Cleaning Price per Foot
A professional service that cleans gutters normally charges $1 to $1.50 per linear foot of gutter length for cleaning and inspecting first-story gutters. This price increases to around $1.90 to $2.50 for a two-story home and $3 to $3.17 for three stories. The cost to have gutters cleaned is normally charged per foot because the cost is based on how many feet of gutters you have. The more feet of gutters you have, the more you can expect to pay.
Gutter Cleaning Prices by House Height
House height is a big determinant of the price to clean gutters ranging between $1 and $3.17 per linear foot depending on the height of the building. The base pricing generally assumed a single-story home which ranges anywhere between $1 to $1.50 per linear foot to have gutters cleaned. Additional charges apply for a two and three story home since the extra height requires extension ladders, specialty tools, and a second worker. In the following table, you can see how much the price per linear foot increases for two or three story houses.
| Number of Stories | Cost per Linear Foot (Labor Included) | Cost for 150 Linear Feet (Labor Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Story | $1 - $1.50 | $150 - $225 |
| Two Stories | $1.90 - $2.50 | $285 - $375 |
| Three Stories | $3 - $3.17 | $450 - $476 |
Gutter Cleaning Service Cost
For the standard cleaning and debris removal of 150 linear feet of gutters on a single-story house, expect to pay $128 to $180 in labor and $22 to $45 in materials, for a total average cost of $150 to $225. The material costs $0.15 to $0.30 per linear foot. Labor costs between $0.85 and $1.20 per linear foot. To calculate how much the cleaning service can cost, a rough rule of thumb is that for every 100 sq.ft. of a home, you can expect to have 10 linear feet of gutters. For example, a 1,500 sq.ft. house will have approximately 150 linear feet.
Hiring a professional service provides you with experienced technicians who can get the job done quickly and efficiently, giving you some peace of mind. The cleaning process for gutters is very straightforward. First, the technician leans a ladder against your house and climbs up with the necessary tools, manually removing debris using a gutter scoop or gutter brush. Once any caked-on debris is loosened and removed, a stream of pressurized water flushes out the remaining dirt. The water is directed toward the downspout, where it travels to the ground. If the downspout is clogged, the technician uses special tools to free the clog. This service usually incurs an additional charge. Once the gutters and downspout are clean, the technician sweeps up any debris that landed in your yard. It is also the time for a full inspection, which checks for problem areas that need repairing and confirms that the slope of the gutters is correct.
While cleaning costs are often quoted per linear foot of gutter, multiple factors determine what that quote will be. The first cost factor is the home’s height. Baseline cleaning costs for gutters are based on a single-story home, so additional floors impact the final number. If the ground below your gutters is unstable, steeply sloped, or difficult to maneuver due to shrubs, trees, or other landscaping features, it will take longer to set up and move the ladders, and therefore cost more. If you choose to install gutter screens or gutter guards over your gutters, you can expect to pay a higher cost. The gutter condition is another factor that influences the cost. After cleaning, the technician conducts a gutter inspection. Depending on what they find, you may need to pay for repairs like re-affixing loose gutter hangers to the fascia board or replacing rusted, warped, bent, or broken gutter sections, adding 15% to the quote for minor pairs. Finally, if your gutter system has a lot of debris, the downspouts may become clogged and need to be cleared out.
Cost of Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts
The cost to clean gutters comes at an additional charge of $150 to $225. Clogged downspouts frequently add to basic cleaning charges for gutters by $50 to $100. If your downspout is not clogged, the cleaning should be included in the standard flat-rate quote. Cleaning includes the following tasks: clearing out and inspecting your gutters, unclogging downspouts, repairing fasteners and seals, and removing dirt and debris. When shopping around and deciding which company to hire, confirm their per linear foot cleaning rates. Tell them how many linear feet of gutters and downspouts you have.
Roof and Gutter Cleaning Cost
The average cost for gutter and roof cleaning is between $600 and $925. When getting a quote, ask about a potential discount for scheduling both a gutter and roof cleaning at the same time. Many companies offer reduced rates for bundled services. Many gutter-cleaning companies also service roofs so that you can combine both cleaning services in a single visit. Roof cleaning removes lichen, moss, stains, and other debris lodged on your rooftop.
Clogged Gutter Problems
Leaves and other types of debris regularly build up in the gutter system, leading to clogged gutters. The buildup can form a dam in the gutter, restricting water flow to the downspout and away from your house. The dam causes the water to back up and overflow the gutter’s sides, leading to many problems. The first problem that may arise is structural damage. A clogged gutter can cause water to overflow, running across the eaves, onto your roof’s edge, and down the sides of your house. This eventually damages the home’s roof and sides. Secondly, water overflowing your clogged gutters may pool on the ground beside your home’s foundation, where it can seep beneath the foundation into the basement or crawlspace, causing flooding. Experiencing flooding in any of these areas can lead to extensive structural damage to your home. Clogged gutters can also lead to a cracked foundation. Water pooling around a foundation is susceptible to freezing in the winter months, causing the soil to heave upwards, expand, and crack. Finally, pooling water on walkways and driveways poses a danger to pedestrians who can slip on the wet surfaces.
Benefits of Gutter Cleaning
Biannual cleaning is vital to the health and longevity of your gutters. Cleaning keeps the gutter system free from accumulated debris so that the water is diverted away from the structure rather than backing up, infiltrating your home, and causing mold and rot. When debris builds up in the gutters, it can cause the gutter to bend or break. If the gutter pulls away from the fascia boards, they may suffer damage and need replacing. This leads to costly repairs or replacements that could have been avoided by following a regular cleaning schedule.
The inspection after the cleaning provides an opportunity to reassess the gutter’s slope and condition. Minor damage or leaks can be caught early during the inspection so that repair costs are minimal. If standing water lingers in the gutters, that indicates the slope is off. The cleaning professional will adjust the gutter hangers so that the water flows freely toward the downspout. If you hire a professional cleaning service to clean your gutters, you have the peace of mind that a professional performs the inspection. Since they are experienced, gutter cleaner technicians do the job quickly and correctly. You do not have to purchase special tools or climb ladders.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
The frequency of cleaning depends on how quickly leaves, branches, and other debris get caught in your gutters. The standard recommendation is to clean gutters a minimum of twice a year. Most homeowners choose to schedule these cleanings for the spring and fall. If you live in an area that gets more frequent wind and rain or your landscaping includes tall trees that deposit leaves and twigs into your gutters regularly, you may need to schedule an additional summer cleaning. An extra cleaning may also be necessary after a particularly large storm. Consider how much debris your cleaners remove from the gutters each time, as well as any damage they find. If your gutters or downspouts are routinely filled or clogged, it is time to add another cleaning to your yearly schedule.
Gutter Maintenance
Gutters require bi-annual inspections and cleanings, which typically take place in the spring and fall. If the gutters have become bent or warped, a gutter professional may need to adjust the slope to keep the water flowing toward the downspouts. The downspouts need to be inspected for obstructions to ensure that they can efficiently channel water away from the foundation. The inspector should also look for spots of peeling or flaking paint and rust. The downspouts and gutters must be snugly affixed to the structure and fascia board. The inspector will inspect the fascia boards for damage or rotting. If damage or rotting is seen, it is recommended to have the wood replaced or treated using wood preservatives. While biannual inspections are recommended for all gutters, homeowners who live in an area with frequent storms or have gutters positioned below tree branches should consider more frequent cleanings and rain gutter maintenance to prevent the gutters from clogging.
How to Measure Gutters
When you get quotes for having your gutters cleaned, the first question they will ask is how many linear feet of gutters you need cleaned, followed by how many stories your house is. If you do not know how long your gutters are, you need to measure them. The easiest way to measure gutters is to use twine or string and have an assistant. Have the other person hold one end of the twine against the gutter edge while you go to the other end of the gutter. Mark the length of the gutter on the twine. Go to the next gutter and repeat the process, starting from where you marked the end of the first gutter. Once all gutters are measured, total the length of the twine. Measure the downspouts as well and have those numbers available when you call to request a quote.
Enhancements and Improvement Costs
Gutter Guard Cost
The cost of installing gutter guards averages $2.60 to $18.50 per linear foot. Gutter guards keep leaves and debris from falling into the gutter trough. The guards, also called gutter covers or gutter screens, depending on the style, allow water to flow into the gutters while blocking larger debris. This decreases the chances of the gutters clogging and makes the cleaning process faster. It can also extend the gutter’s lifespan.
Gutter Repair Prices
Professional gutter repair is normally charged by the hour, ranging from $50 to $150 per hour. Many factors determine the cost of gutter repairs. These include the time needed, how many fasteners are required, how many caps require resealing, and how many outlets need repairs. Frequent maintenance and cleaning prevent damage to your gutters, saving you money in possible repair costs.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Debris removal. Before hiring a professional service to clean your gutters, consult with them to ensure they include removing all debris in their quoted price.
- Price increases. Discuss with the professional gutter cleaning company about the potential of price increases if large bushes or trees get in the gutter technician’s path when cleaning the gutters.
- Climate. If you live in an area with abundant rainfall, consider having your gutter system divert the water into a dry well area.
- Location. Gutters located below trees often require more frequent cleaning because they tend to fill up with leaves and debris from the trees, especially after a storm.
- Water pooling. Water that pools in the gutter system’s troughs can cause rust or rotting wood. This is especially true if the gutter is made out of sheet metal.
- Professional cleaning. Any roof that is higher than a single story should have a professional cleaning company clean the gutter system because of safety. Taller structures require an extension ladder.
- Cleaning. Gutter guards and leaf catchers prevent debris from building up in a gutter system, but they are not a complete solution. Gutters still require biannual cleanings because small pieces of debris filter past the leaf guard screens. The screens must be removed and cleaned.
- Bad working conditions. Never work on a roof that is icy or wet because you could slip and fall. Also, avoid working in windy conditions because a sudden burst of wind could knock you off the ladder.
- Clogged gutter problems. Always check to make sure your downspouts expel water away from the house because water pooling near the home’s foundation can seep into the crawlspace or basement, causing structural damage. The pooling water can freeze and cause the home’s foundation to crack. To avoid this, downspout extenders can be installed to divert water away from the home’s foundation.
- Regional differences. Gutters will require more frequent cleaning in regions that experience frequent storms since leaves and debris build up in the gutter more quickly.
- Maintenance contracts. Many professional cleaning companies that cover gutters provide maintenance contracts that offer repeat customer discounts.
- Quotes. It is important to get at least three different quotes from companies before selecting one to ensure you are getting the right price.
- Under gutter cleaning. You can expect to pay more for the under cleaning of gutters due to the extra labor.
- DIY gutter cleaning. When it is time to clean your gutters, you can do it yourself or hire a professional. DIY is less expensive and allows you to do the project whenever you have time. This can be a time-consuming project, require specific tools, and increase the risk of injury.
FAQs
- Why is gutter cleaning so expensive?
Gutter cleaning can be a bit pricey due to the labor costs involved in hiring a professional with skilled knowledge of the process.
- How much does it cost per foot to clean gutters?
Expect to pay anywhere between $1 to $3.17 per linear foot for the cleaning, depending on the height of the house.
- How do you clean gutters with gutter guards?
The gutter guards must be removed from the gutter before cleaning. Each guard’s screen must be cleaned with a pressure hose, the debris in the gutter removed, and then the gutter guard must be replaced.
- How much does it cost to install gutter guards?
A professional gutter company typically charges $2.60 to $18.50 per linear foot to install gutter guards.
- How often should gutters be cleaned?
Gutters should be cleaned in the fall and spring. However, they may need immediate cleaning after a severe storm. Gutters located beneath large trees often need to be cleaned out more than twice a year because leaves, debris, and insects from the tree fall into the gutters and can clog them.
- How much does it cost to have your gutters cleaned?
Most gutter cleaning companies charge between $1 to $1.50 per linear foot to clean basic gutters on a one-story house.
- What is gutter cleaning?
Gutter cleaning involves removing all the accumulated debris from a gutter system so that the water can freely flow through the gutter system’s troughs and downspouts.
How much does it cost to clean gutters in my city?
Cost to clean gutters varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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