Gutters are an essential system that protects your home from water damage. Dirty, clogged gutters more consistently overflow and fail to function correctly. Investing in regular gutter cleaning—at an average price of $0.70 to $2.50 per linear foot—can save you money on expensive repairs in the long run. 

Cleaning your gutters is dangerous and difficult work. If you aren’t comfortable working on ladders, we recommend hiring a professional. This guide will provide a thorough breakdown of average gutter cleaning costs, how pricing is determined, and what to expect when hiring a professional gutter cleaning company.

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How Much Do Gutter Cleaning Services Cost?

The cost of gutter cleaning ranges between $0.70 and $2.50 per linear foot. The price depends on factors such as home size, roof design, and gutter condition. The national average for gutter cleaning a 200-linear-foot gutter system is between $140 and $250. It could cost up to $500 to clean the gutters of a home with three or more stories. 

How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost for Different Home Sizes?

The main factor in determining the cost of hiring gutter cleaners is the number of linear feet of gutters that need cleaning. Larger homes have longer gutters and downspouts, which means higher cleaning costs. The following table breaks down the average gutter cleaning costs for homes of different sizes.

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What Factors Affect Gutter Cleaning Costs?

In addition to gutter length, numerous secondary factors can affect your gutter cleaning costs. Anything that makes a gutter cleaning job more difficult or lengthy will increase your project’s price.

Number of Stories

The cost of any roof or gutter-related work increases for taller homes. The more stories a home has, the more dangerous it is to work on. The increased risk results in higher labor costs. Some homes may require special equipment, such as ladders, lifts, and scaffolding. A gutter cleaning for a single-story home might cost around $160. Gutter cleaning may cost up to $500 for a two-story home or three-story home.

Gutter Condition

Debris builds up over time inside unprotected gutters. This debris will become waterlogged, causing your gutters to hold increased weight. Left unchecked, the gutters can detach from the roof and collapse. Repairing damaged gutters, such as replacing fascia or reattaching gutters to your roof, will increase cleaning costs. Gutters in good condition will cost less to clean.

Location

Areas with higher living costs have steeper labor rates. If you live in a remote location or outside a gutter cleaning professional’s service area, you may have to pay travel fees.

Additional Services and Fees

Many gutter cleaning companies offer gutter or roofing services at an additional cost. Common services provided by gutter companies include the following: 

• Downspout clog removal: Debris can clog downspouts, leading to overflows or freezing in the winter. Cleaning downspouts requires specialized tools and will make your project more expensive. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for downspout cleaning.
• Downspout installation: If you need to install or replace downspouts, several material options are available at varying prices, including vinyl and aluminum. The average cost is between $5 and $20 per linear foot.
• Gutter guard installation: Installing gutter guards can help keep debris out of your gutters and reduce how often they require cleaning. Gutter guards act as filters that maintain water flow while blocking leaves, twigs, and other debris. Gutter guard installation costs vary—from $1,000 to $4,300 or more, depending on the type.
• Gutter installation: Some companies offer complete gutter installation services. If your gutters are damaged or old, you’ll likely save more money in the long run by getting them replaced instead of repaired. 
• Gutter repairs: If your gutters are damaged, sagging, or disconnected, a professional gutter cleaning service may be able to repair them for an additional fee. Minor repairs such as tightening fasteners or standard cleanup will be less expensive than sealing gaps or replacing sections. 

Other Cost Factors

The area around your home and how often you clean your gutters can impact your price.

• Accessibility: You’ll see higher labor rates and service fees if the area around your roofline is difficult to access. Common accessibility issues include trees blocking your gutters or thick shrubs around the base of your home. 
• Cleaning frequency: Regular gutter cleaning is key to shaving costs. Gutters that haven’t been cleaned in a while require more attention than gutters cleaned frequently. You should have your gutters cleaned twice per year. You’ll only need to clean them once every year or so if you have gutter guards. 
• Landscaping: Homes built on steep slopes are more difficult and dangerous to work on. This increased risk will result in higher labor rates and service fees.
• Season: Autumn is the peak time for gutter cleaning services. High labor demand will increase costs. Scheduling a gutter cleaning after demand slows down may decrease your rate.

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How Can You Save Money on Gutter Cleaning?

If you’ve decided to hire a professional to clean and maintain your gutters, here are a few tips to keep costs down:

• Check with friends, family, and neighbors for referrals to local gutter companies with low costs.
• Consider annual contracts for gutter cleaning. Planning for the expense now might save you money in the long run.
• Install gutter guards to keep out debris that can clog your gutters and lead to more expensive cleaning and repairs.
• Look for coupons or seasonal promotions online.
• Look for discounts for seniors, veterans, teachers, or first responders on company websites.
• Shop for at least three free cost estimates from gutter cleaning companies and compare to find the lowest price.
• Undertake regular gutter maintenance to keep them in good condition and lower costs.

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Is Gutter Cleaning Worth It?

Cleaning your gutters is necessary to keep them functioning properly. If your gutters become clogged, they won’t be able to protect your home and roof from water damage. DIY gutter cleaning can be a great way to save money. However, it requires having the right tools, practicing ladder safety measures, and investing the time to do the job right. Hiring a professional can save you time, trouble, and potential injury if your gutters are hard to reach.

We recommend thoroughly researching each gutter cleaning company before making a final decision. Read customer reviews on websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. It’s also a good idea to check their licensing through your state’s contractor licensing lookup tool. You should also ask them if they’re bonded (insured) and request the name of their insurance company and policy number.

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Are Gutter Guards Worth It?

We recommend investing in gutter guards. These add-ons fit over your gutter system and greatly reduce the frequency of gutter cleanings. They also provide your system with the best ongoing protection from debris buildup and pest infestation. We recommend LeafFilter as the best gutter guard brand and Raptor as an effective DIY alternative. 

We reviewed and tested more than a dozen gutter guard brands and found these two products to be the most effective. These guards kept all debris out of our test gutter system while still allowing water to pass through. We also surveyed more than 1,000 gutter guard owners to see if they were satisfied with their systems. According to our survey respondents, 80% were either satisfied or very satisfied with their gutter guards. 

Many professional gutter guard installers, including LeafFilter, offer gutter cleaning services with the purchase of a gutter or gutter guard system. We researched LeafFilter’s prices for gutter cleaning and found it lists average price ranges between $80 and $390, depending on your state.

If you’re interested in installing gutter guards to protect your gutter system, compare our top-recommended providers and request quotes in the table below.

How Does Professional Gutter Cleaning Compare to DIY Cleaning?

DIY gutter cleaning will always be cheaper than hiring a professional. However, cleaning gutters yourself can be time-consuming and dangerous, especially if you have a steep roof. Hiring a professional is faster and more convenient.

Professional Gutter Cleaning

DIY Gutter Cleaning

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FAQ About Gutter Cleaning

How often do gutters need to be cleaned?

Gutters need to be cleaned at least twice per year, while gutter systems with gutter guards installed only need to be cleaned once a year or so.

Are gutter guards worth it?

Gutter guards are worth it for homeowners who want to make gutter cleaning easier and less frequent. Gutter guards may not be worth it for homeowners who live in arid climates or who don’t receive much rainfall or debris around their homes.

What is the average cost to clean gutters per linear foot?

The average cost to clean gutters is $0.70 to $2.50 per linear foot.

Can clogged gutters cause damage to my home?

Yes, clogged gutters can cause damage to your home. Clogs in your gutters result in overflows and water damage that can hurt your home’s foundation, soil, shingles, fascia, and other structures.

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Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We reinforce this research with thorough firsthand product testing, assessing each gutter guard’s durability, quality, filtration, and cleanability. To date, we’ve tested more than a dozen professionally installed and DIY gutter guard products. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.