Gutter Cleaning Cost: A Budgeting Guide for 2024
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Budgeting for a regular maintenance fee to keep gutters flowing freely is cheaper than risking long-term water damage from clogged gutters. Most homeowners pay between $119 and $228, or an average of $163 in gutter cleaning costs.
Highlights
- The typical range for gutter cleaning costs is $119 to $228 with a national average of $163.
- The most significant cost factors for gutter cleaning are house height, gutter length and condition, gutter type, gutter width, roof slope, labor, and geographic location.
- Gutter cleaning can protect against water damage to a home and its landscaping as well as preventing pests, extending the life of the roof and gutters, and protecting home value.
- Cleaning gutters is a suitable DIY project for many, but for homeowners who have physical limitations, are wary of working on a ladder, or don’t have time for this chore, hiring a gutter cleaning service can be highly beneficial.
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It’s easy to take gutters for granted and forget they need regular maintenance. When they work correctly, they do the essential job of channeling excess water away from the house. But gutters are prone to collecting debris. Twigs, leaves, shingles, and even lost toys can quickly overwhelm a gutter, so it’s important for homeowners to schedule regular gutter cleanings to keep them flowing freely.
According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, gutter cleaning costs range from $119 to $228, or an average of $163. The cost is usually calculated by the linear foot, and multistory homes always start at a higher price point. If the gutters have rarely been cleaned, it may cost a bit more to get them in great shape again.
Key Cost Factors
Cleaning gutters seems like a straightforward task, but a few complexities go into calculating gutter cleaning costs. A gutter pro will consider the house height, gutter length and condition, and any potential repairs. Travel time will also factor into gutter cleaning costs, as will the home’s specific location. There are several top factors that influence gutter cleaning prices.
House Height
The gutters on single-story homes are the easiest to reach and clean, which means they’re typically much cheaper to clean than those on larger multistory homes. It usually costs $70 to $250 for a single-story house. If a gutter cleaner needs to reach a second- or third-story gutter, the cost increases to between $100 and $500. The complexity of the roofline, the pitch, and other risk factors can also potentially increase the cost.
Gutter Length and Condition
The length of the gutters is the most significant variable for how much gutter cleaning costs. A 1-story house could have a huge footprint that’s larger than the average house. Most bids calculate the gutter length by the linear foot, which is basically the length of each gutter. Some contractors might bid by the square footage of the entire house, minus the areas without gutters. To calculate the square footage costs, a contractor will estimate the home’s total square footage and multiply it by about $0.40 per foot for a single-story or $0.80 for a 2-story house. It’s also worth noting that gutters that are excessively clogged could cost 10 to 50 percent more to clean.
Gutter Type and Width
Gutters can be classified as either seamed or seamless. Seamed gutters are segmented, and the places where two lengths of gutter meet tend to trap more debris. This can result in a 10 to 25 percent higher gutter cleaning cost since it may take longer to clean seamed gutters. Most new gutters that are installed on homes are seamless, so it may be worth upgrading to this kind of gutter to prevent frequent clogging. Seamless gutters cost between $652 and $1,720 to install.
The vast majority of gutters have a standard width of 5 inches, and for these average gutter cleaning costs will apply. Larger gutters can be as wide as 6 or 7 inches, which may incur a higher cleaning cost since they can hold more debris. Homeowners whose gutters are larger than standard size will want to budget for a 5 to 10 percent price increase in their gutter cleaning costs.
Roof Slope
While most homes are built on relatively flat surfaces, there may be at least one side with a steep slope, making it more challenging to reach the gutters. Because of this extra risk, time, and effort necessary to get the job done, the cost may increase by about 15 percent. The same is true if there is a lot of landscaping around the gutters that makes them difficult to access.
Labor and Geographic Location
Labor makes up a fair portion of the total gutter cleaning costs, with materials accounting for much of the remaining price. Labor costs can vary by region and are also typically higher during peak seasons. Any gear or equipment that is needed for the job will cost between $20 and $50.
The area where the house is located will affect the total price of gutter cleaning. For example, the average cost of gutter cleaning in Illinois starts at $100, whereas in California homeowners pay between $140 and $270. Labor rates tend to be higher in metropolitan and even suburban areas where the cost of living is higher. There may also be increased demand and a low supply of gutter cleaners in some areas, which also drives the price higher.
| State | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| California | $140 to $270 |
| Florida | $110 to $260 |
| Idaho | $110 to $210 |
| Illinois | $100 to $170 |
| Massachusetts | $130 to $220 |
| Minnesota | $120 to $200 |
| New York | $120 to $230 |
| Texas | $130 to $250 |
Additional Costs and Considerations
A well-maintained gutter usually does fine with just a regular cleaning service, but if it’s getting old or is rarely maintained, then it may require additional cleaning and repair. Some additional costs may not be accounted for by a gutter cleaning cost calculator. A gutter cleaning pro can go over any other services that might be needed and their associated costs.
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Gutter Inspection
Gutter inspection is typically done at the time of gutter cleaning in order to determine whether the gutters will also require any repairs. Any damage that is discovered will need to be addressed as soon as possible since it is likely to lead to water damage. In most cases, gutter inspection costs will be included in the cleaning cost.
Downspout Installation and Cleaning
A pro may notice that there aren’t enough downspouts to handle the load. A homeowner may also want to have the downspout buried and extended beyond its current location. Installing downspouts costs between $5 and $20 per linear foot, but installing an extender can come with an additional cost.
Cleaning each downspout is more challenging, which is why it can increase the total cost by $50 to $100 per job. If the gutters were filled with debris, the downspouts could be heavily clogged, so it’s essential to make sure they’re free of debris as well.
Roof Cleaning
The same debris that can end up in a home’s gutters can also litter the roof, especially if the home is located in an area with dense tree cover. Many companies offer both roof and gutter cleaning. Opting for roof cleaning in addition to gutter cleaning will add about $250 to $600 to the overall cost.
Gutter Cleaning Frequency
There is often confusion among homeowners as to how often to clean gutters. A general rule of thumb is to have gutters cleaned out at least three times per year or at the change of each season. In milder climates, it may only be necessary to have them cleaned twice a year. Many homeowners find that gutter guards are worth it as they increase the time between cleanings. If gutters are severely clogged, this could increase the cleaning cost by 10 to 50 percent, so having this service performed regularly may be a cost-effective option.
Gutter Repair
In some cases gutter damage is not noticeable until after the gutter has been cleaned. Some common issues include rusting, bent or dented sections, or loose fixtures. If any damage is discovered during gutter cleaning or inspection, most gutter repairs cost $100 to $250. If there is severe damage and gutters need to be replaced, gutter installation costs $622 to $1,677 on average.
Gutter Guards and Accessories
As gutter cleaners make sure the gutters are free from debris, they’ll do some quick inspections to ensure each part is functioning correctly. They may recommend replacing worn-out guards, corners, caps, or fascia. Additionally, a pro can install one of the best gutter guards, which can help prevent large debris from clogging the gutters. Gutter guards cost $6 to $8 per linear foot to install, and they come with pros and cons. The extra work to remove them for cleaning could increase the cleaning cost, but they’re effective enough that they may decrease the need for frequent gutter cleaning.
Additional Fees
Homeowners may be charged travel fees if they are not within a gutter cleaning company’s service area. Areas with high demand for gutter cleaning, especially during peak cleaning season, may also experience higher costs.
Do I need gutter cleaning?
Signs of gutters in poor condition are apparent. A homeowner might notice stains or mildew, an increase in pests, overflowing debris, sagging gutters, and roof leaks. Generally, these indicate a serious problem with the gutters that may require more than just cleaning.
Staining and Mildew
One of the first signs that gutters that aren’t working correctly are stains on the gutters or the sides of the house. They could be improperly attached or clogged with debris, making the water spill over and leak down the house. This leak can often grow mold and mildew, spreading quickly and threatening a home and its inhabitants.
Pests
Pests of all shapes and sizes love to find dark and moist places to nest. Debris-filled gutters make great homes since they’re out of the way and rarely get disturbed in some climates. Leaving the gutters to the pests can eventually damage the roof or attract larger predators like snakes or feral cats. If there are many insects or mice crawling around the gutters or roof, the gutters likely need a thorough cleaning. Homeowners may also need to hire one of the best pest control companies, like Orkin or Terminix, to help get rid of the pests.
Plant Growth
Gutters that have long been left on their own may even begin to sprout new plant life. With enough dirt, water, and sunlight, any seeds that made their way into the gutter could take root and make a run for the sun. Over time, the roots can damage the roof, shingles, and gutters. While finding plants growing in the gutter may be mildly amusing, homeowners can do an online search for “gutter cleaning near me” to get the gutters back to their original purpose of channeling water, not growing plants.
Excessive Leaves and Debris
It’s normal for homeowners to see some leaves and debris in gutters since the gutters are the collection point for whatever falls with the rain and wind. However, if leaves are abundant, then the gutters require assistance. Water can only push the debris down so much before it clogs or sticks together. Abundant leaves and debris will quickly cause water to overflow onto the house and damage the exterior.
Sagging
A sagging gutter can happen for a couple of reasons. The weight of excessive debris, snow, or ice, or an improper installation may cause gutters to sag. No matter the cause, it’s a precursor to further house damage. It’s a good idea for the homeowner to call a pro at the first sign of sagging gutters for gutter replacement or repair.
Irregular Cleaning
If it has been at least a year since the gutters were last cleaned, it’s probably time to clean them again. Even if there are no apparent signs of damage, there is debris building up. Getting them cleaned out before obvious damage occurs will save money in the long run on more serious repairs.
Overflowing Water
Gutters are designed to tilt ever so slightly toward their downspout. When gutters have the proper design, gravity does the trick to ensure the water flows out the appropriate channel and away from the house. If there is a trickle of water or a waterfall coming from the side of a gutter, there is a clogged gutter problem.
Roof Leaks
One of the worst consequences of clogged gutters is a roof leak. This happens when water can’t flow properly out the downspout and instead finds the nearest exit point, which could be inside the roof. Roof leaks are usually discovered late since they destroy the upper attic before reaching the living space ceiling. The cost of repairing a roof leak could far surpass hiring a regular gutter cleaning service.
Damaged Walls
Similar to a roof leak, overflowing or seeping water can damage the exterior and interior walls. This also happens when a gutter has been blocked for an extended period. The standing water weakens the upper walls and the fascia before working its destruction down the sides of the walls.
Benefits of Regular Gutter Cleaning
It’s easy to forget about gutters since they’re out of sight and out of mind. As long as they look to be in good condition, homeowners can assume that they’re performing correctly. But since water damage is an insidious and slow process, the damage done by clogged gutters may not be apparent until it’s too late. Regularly cleaning gutters is the key to preventing water damage to the house or landscaping and extending the roof’s life.
Need gutter cleaning?
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Water Damage Prevention
The primary purpose of gutters is to prevent dripping water from damaging a house at its most vulnerable points: where the roof meets the walls and along the foundation. When water can’t flow freely down the gutter and downspout, it will find the next easiest way out. That’s usually into any crack in the roofline, down the walls, and along the foundation. Water damage can become a costly home repair, so keeping gutters debris-free is the best prevention.
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