Gutter Cleaning Cost: Is it Worth It?

Updated on: 06/16/2022

While cleaning your gutters is an important part of keeping your home’s exterior clean and well-maintained, it’s easy to shirk this tedious chore. If you don’t have time or aren’t able to clean your gutters yourself, consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service to handle the job for you.

But, how much does gutter cleaning cost if you just want a ballpark estimate?

According to Forbes, the national average for gutter cleaning is about $160. This is based on an average cost of $0.80/linear foot with the average single-story home having around 200 linear feet of gutters. For larger homes or particularly challenging jobs, that cost may go up to over $2.00/linear foot—or $400 or more.

Keep reading to learn more.

Average Gutter Cleaning Costs in 2022

Your gutter cleaning cost will depend on a few different factors, one of which is your home size. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for professional gutter cleaning:

Cost of Gutter Cleaning by Home Size
Home Size Average Price
One Level $100 to $200
Multi-Level $300 to $400

Factors Impacting the Cost of Gutter Cleaning

There are various other factors beyond just home size that could impact how much gutter cleaning costs. This is why regardless of location, it’s important to get a free, no-obligation estimate so that you have a more realistic idea of the price. Here are some of the things that could impact your gutter cleaning costs.

Time of the Year

The cost of gutter cleaning tends to vary from state to state (and even regions within each state), but for most of the southeastern United States, summer months tend to be the wettest, rainiest times of the year. Here’s what to expect in your area:

  • North Carolina. Late spring in western North Carolina tends to be the rainiest, wettest time of the year while autumn is the worst in the piedmont and coastal regions. Summer tends to be the best time of the year to have your gutters cleaned in North Carolina.
  • South Carolina. For the state as a whole, May through August tends to see the most rain. Homeowners should schedule gutter cleaning for their South Carolina home during late autumn, winter, and spring months.
  • Tennessee. December to July tends to be very rainy for much of the state, with May typically seeing the most rainfall. October is usually the best time of the year to get your gutters cleaned in Tennessee.
  • Alabama. There aren’t really dry seasons in Alabama, but northern Alabama sees less rainfall in summer and autumn. The southern part of the state tends to see more rain in the summer. Autumn is the best time to get your gutters cleaned in Alabama.
  • Florida. July through September tends to be the rainiest time of the year in Florida. January is a good time to schedule your gutter cleaning in Florida, but anytime outside of hurricane season is ideal.
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Obstructions and Blockages

One common problem with gutters is neglect. It’s easy to go years without cleaning gutters, which could lead to numerous problems for your property. Build-ups, obstructions, and blockages can all add to your overall cost of gutter cleaning, so it’s important to know how often you’ll need your gutters cleaned.

Repairs and Installation

During the course of a gutter cleaning service, it isn’t uncommon for professionals to find loose fasteners or areas of the gutter system that are in general disrepair and need to be repaired in order to work properly. This extra work will also add to your quote and will depend on the number and size of repairs that need to be done.

Unusual and Hard to Reach Gutter Systems

For homes that have an unusually steep roof or gutters that are difficult to get a quote might be higher. Things like chimney placement, obstacles that are part of the home or landscape, or an unusual placement can all cause a gutter cleaning company to spend more time or take a higher than normal effort to clean your gutters.

Downspout Installation or Cleaning

For some companies, cleaning the downspout is included in the quote. Other gutter cleaning companies may offer it as an add-on, making it an additional cost for the service that would increase the quote. For homes that require downspout repairs or installing or replacing an existing system, this will also increase your cost, though it’ll likely be a one-time cost that won’t occur again anytime soon with regular maintenance of your gutter system.

Estimating Your Gutter Cleaning Costs

It can be difficult to give an accurate estimate without an in-person evaluation. Numerous factors can add time to a job, increasing the quote. Regardless if a company charges an additional labor cost or by the hour, things like a tough blockage, repairs, or a particularly difficult job can easily add anywhere between $75 to $125+ to your estimate.

You can get a better idea of what your estimate will be by evaluating your property before calling a professional. Look for things like

  • Twigs and debris protruding from the downspout or over the side of the gutters
  • Pooling water around your foundation, or gutters that are overflowing during storms
  • Visible sagging or damage to the gutters and downspouts

Keep in mind as well that hard-to-reach areas will also add to the overall quote that you’ll be given. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks like a ladder is needed, even with extension poles and other gutter cleaning equipment, it will likely add to your quote.

The Bottom Line: Gutter Cleaning Costs Are Worth It

Without hiring a professional, property owners are left with two choices: ignore the gutters altogether, or do it yourself. Both of those routes can have costly consequences. Ignoring your gutter system can lead to damage to your property while using ladders and unsafe equipment could lead to injury for you.

It’s worth the money to hire a professional gutter cleaning company to take care of your gutter system, whether it’s cleaning it out, repairs, or installing gutter guards or downspouts. As you shop around for the right company, make sure you understand all the services you are getting for the price quoted.

A quality gutter cleaning professional will remove all debris and clean your gutters, check for needed repairs, and at the very least offer downspout services to ensure that your entire gutter system looks great and is in great shape when they are finished.

Frequently asked questions about the average cost of gutter cleaning in 2022.

Curious to know what you’ll be paying for gutter cleaning this year? Browse our frequently asked questions to learn more.

What are typical gutter cleaning costs?

When charged by the foot, the typical cost of gutter cleaning is about $160. This price comes from the national average of $0.80 per foot and the average home having about 200 feet of gutters.

How often should your gutters be cleaned?

Typically we recommend having your gutters cleaned twice a year. For homes and businesses in heavily forested areas, we may recommend it more frequently due to debris.

Is it worth it to clean your own gutters?

While it may be tempting to take on gutter cleaning as a weekend project, the equipment needed, risks of falling, and the amount of time it takes often adds up to a stressful and potentially dangerous chore that isn’t worth the money saved by doing it yourself.

How do professionals clean gutters?

Professional gutter cleaners typically start with removing debris from the gutters and downspouts before moving on to any necessary repairs. Once gutters and downspouts are secure and flowing, they use equipment to clean the gutters and clean up any debris from their work area, leaving your gutters flowing and property clean.

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