How much does gutter cleaning cost?
Updated
Short answer
Cleaning the gutters yourself costs $0 to $30, for a gutter scoop and a pair of work gloves, and takes 60 to 180 minutes depending on the house. A gutter cleaning service charges $100 to $250 a visit. The job comes twice a year, so hiring it out means paying that twice, against a free afternoon on a ladder. Which is better depends on the height of the house and how you feel about ladders.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 to $30 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $250 |
| Total | $0 to $30 | $100 to $250 |
The DIY column is a scoop and gloves, and a hose and a bucket from the garage. It assumes you have a ladder that reaches. The pro column is a crew with their own ladders, who clean the gutters, flush the downspouts, and bag the debris.
What drives the cost
- The house. A single-story house with easy access is the low end. A tall house, a steep lot or a walk-out basement that puts the gutters far off the ground is the high end.
- The length of gutter. Many services price by the linear foot, so a sprawling ranch can cost as much as a compact colonial.
- How bad it is. Gutters cleaned twice a year are quick. Gutters packed with years of debris and growing seedlings take longer and cost more.
- Extras. Downspouts that are clogged and need to be taken apart, loose hangers to refasten, or gutter guards to remove and replace, all add to the bill.
- Season. Fall is the busy season, and some services charge more or book out. A spring or late summer visit can be cheaper.
DIY vs. pro
On a single-story house, do it yourself: how often to clean gutters is twice a year, and with a scoop, a hose and a sturdy ladder it's an afternoon. The cost is nothing after the first scoop.
On a tall house, or any house where the ladder has to go up on a slope or a deck, pay the $100 to $250. A fall from a ladder is the most common serious injury in home maintenance, and the service has the ladders, the stabilizers and the practice. If the gutters are overflowing every time it rains, the pro visit also diagnoses why, which is often a downspout rather than the gutter.
FAQ
How much does it cost to clean gutters?
$100 to $250 a visit from a service, depending on the house's height and the length of gutter.
Is gutter cleaning worth paying for?
On a tall house, yes. The fee is small next to the ladder risk, and a clogged gutter can cost far more in fascia, foundation and basement damage.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Twice a year, in late spring and late fall, and more often under heavy tree cover.
Do gutter guards save money?
They cut the cleaning down but don't end it, since fine debris still gets through and collects on top. Weigh their cost against a couple of cleanings a year.