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Written By Ally Sabatina
Home maintenance costs can be never-ending, so it’s always helpful to know what to expect when you set your budget. The cost of cleaning gutters and downspouts varies based on a number of factors. Do you intend to do it yourself? How long has it been since they were last cleaned? Where do you live and what’s the demand for gutter cleaning in your area?
These questions can be enough to get your mind racing, but you’ve come to the right place. We’ve broken down average costs, suggested frequency, and more to help you make an informed decision.
There's a reason Liberty Home Guard was rated the #1 Home Warranty
Service by U.S. News and World Report for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Check out our services.
At face value, cleaning your gutters can be an attractive DIY project because it requires minimal tools. However, it’s important that you understand the risks, including the possibility of falling off the ladder or missing an underlying issue that could lead to issues down the line. Every year, more than 500,000 people seek treatment for ladder-related injuries, 40% of which are estimated to be from extension ladders. These risks are compounded if you have a large home, or otherwise have to climb to significant heights to access your gutters. For this reason, DIY gutter cleaning is only recommended for single story homes, but it’s not without risk.
Professional gutter cleaning can mitigate these risks and ensure your gutters are optimized for peak performance.
Learn More: Best Ways to Clean Your Gutters from the Ground
Gutter cleaning costs aren’t fixed as there are a number of factors that affect your estimate. Understanding the factors that contribute to maintenance costs can help you make an informed decision when you request an estimate, giving you more confidence in the contractor you hire to complete the job.
Factor | Effect on Cost |
Ease of access | You may pay 5–10% more if landscaping impedes access to your gutters. |
Condition | You can expect to pay up to $500 for gutter cleaning if there’s significant debris, about 10–50% more than the cost to clean regularly maintained gutters. |
Gutter length | On average, you can expect to pay about $1 per linear foot of gutters. |
Gutter guards | Gutter guards have an upfront cost of $6–$8 per linear foot, but they can save you as much as 50% on cleaning costs later. |
Home height | Costs generally increase with each story, so multi-story homes will be more expensive. |
Roof slope | Steeper roof slopes can cost 15–20% more. |
Labor | Up to 70% of your total costs will cover the labor for the contractor. |
Add-Ons | Add-ons, such as gutter replacement and downspout cleaning, will increase your costs. |
Sometimes, cleaning out your gutters isn’t enough to ensure they’re operating as intended. In some situations, you may need to replace all or part of your gutters, install a downspout, or elect additional cleaning for your downspout. Here’s how those add-ons can affect your gutter cleaning costs:
Gutter cleaning costs vary significantly by state and region. In general, you can expect to pay $50–$175 per hour for gutter cleaning and our research indicates the average cost nationwide sits around $160 for gutters in good condition.
You can compare your gutter cleaning estimate to the figures in the table below. Keep in mind that these are just averages, so your final cost may fall outside this range.
Northeast United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
Connecticut | $100–$320 |
Massachusetts | $110–$330 |
Mid-Atlantic United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
Maryland | $100–$300 |
New Jersey | $175–$230 |
New York | $120–$400 |
Southeast United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
Florida | $90–$250 |
Georgia | $80–$250 |
North Carolina | $75–$250 |
Midwest United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
Kansas | $80–$230 |
Illinois | $100–$250 |
Missouri | $100–$200 |
Southwest United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
California | $140–$350 |
Texas | $80–$200 |
Northwest United States | |
State | Average Gutter Cleaning Costs |
Oregon | $90–$280 |
Washington | $90–$250 |
While you can’t control your gutter cleaning costs, you can take steps to save money. We’ve compiled five tips on how to save money on gutter cleaning:
That said, gutter guards aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Chris Hock, owner and CEO of Earth Saving Solutions, added, “Gutter guards, in my opinion, in the Colorado market can cause ice damns and water leaks. Depending on your home's insulation health and how well it breathes will depend if it can ice dam after the installation of gutter guards.”
Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, especially after the spring and fall when vegetation, pollen, and other debris are likely to build up. However, you may need to schedule more frequent cleanings if you live underneath significant tree cover, particularly pine trees.
Life doesn’t always stick to a plan, so you may need to have your gutters cleaned if you notice any of the following signs:
Every home warranty provider is different and gutter cleaning isn’t generally included in systems or appliances plans, but Liberty Home Guard offers it as an add-on option. If you choose to add gutter cleaning to your Liberty Home Guard home warranty, you’ll pay a nominal fee to increase your coverage, which can defray your costs throughout the year.
Instead of finding, hiring, and paying a gutter cleaning specialist on your own, your home warranty provider will coordinate with a technician in their network and charge you the service call fee outlined in your policy. As long as you don’t exceed the $500 coverage cap, that’s the end of your out-of-pocket costs.
You can read a sample agreement to learn more about your coverage and its limits. If you like what you see or have any lingering questions, feel free to call (833) 547-3688 for a custom quote.
There's a reason Liberty Home Guard was rated the #1 Home Warranty
Service by U.S. News and World Report for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Check out our services.
Several factors affect gutter cleaning estimates, such as:
Yes, gutter guards can reduce gutter maintenance costs because they reduce debris build up, potential water damage, and cleaning frequency. On average, gutter guards can save homeowners $500 annually on maintenance costs.
If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, you are at greater risk for secondary issues, including water damage, foundation damage, roof leaks, pest infestations, ice dams, stained siding, and structural damage.
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