Posted on: August 12, 2022 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Your home’s gutters are out of sight for the most part, so it can be easy to overlook them and forget that they need to be cleaned regularly. However, in order to effectively channel excess water away from your home, your gutters need to be free of sticks, leaves, and other debris.

The average cost of gutter cleaning in America is $159 but can vary from $118 up to $224 per cleaning. There are important factors that impact gutter cleaning costs, such as the length of gutters, the height of your home, and if there are additional gutter repairs needed. The following information will explain everything you need to know about the factors that impact the cost of gutter cleaning.

Length of Gutters and House Height

In terms of the cost of gutter cleaning, the larger the building, the more it will cost to clean. The main reason for this is that bigger homes have bigger gutter systems. Depending on the gutter cleaning company you choose, the charges may be calculated by square footage or linear length.

You’ll find that it’s cheaper for gutter cleaning on a single-story home than it is on a multi-level building. To give you an example, a one-story home may cost $152, while a three-story building will cost closer to $350.

Current Gutter Condition

If it’s the first time you’re having the gutters cleaned, there’s a good chance that a lot of debris has accumulated. This debris can prove rather difficult to remove and will require additional cleaning time.

To save on this cost, ensure that your gutters are being cleaned around six times per year. And keep in mind that some seasons require it more than others due to leaves falling and such.

Gutter Extras and Accessories

As the professional gutter cleaning company removes the debris from your gutters, they will also conduct an inspection to ensure all parts are operating correctly. Sometimes, they’ll suggest new gutter installation or gutter repair services, which may include replacing worn-out fascia, caps, corners, or guards.

Furthermore, if your downspouts need to be cleaned, you’ll likely be charged an additional $50 to $100.

Roof Slope

When the gutter cleaner requires more effort, time, and risk to do the job, you may be charged more. Though most homes are built on flat surfaces, many homes have at least one steep slope, making it more challenging to access the gutters. And the same is often true if you have landscaping near the gutters that make them hard to access.

Labor and Equipment

Then you must add in the cost of labor and equipment. Just beware that labor makes up a good portion of the total cost, between $0.85 and $1.20 per linear foot. Equipment and materials will add on about $22 to $45 per job if no additional services are required.

Location

Another factor that impacts gutter cleaning costs is the area where you live. Labor rates are usually higher in metropolitan or suburban areas where living costs are higher. And the same is true if you live in a city with high demand but few gutter cleaners.

Seamless vs. Seamed Metal

With some gutter cleaners, you’ll notice that they charge more for seamed gutters. This is because seamed gutters have more locations where debris builds up than what you find with a seamless gutter installation. The additional debris leads to longer cleaning times, adding 10% to 25% to your total bill.

However, if you live in a location where most people have seamed gutters, you may receive discounts that you wouldn’t with seamless gutters.

Wider Gutters

You may also pay a premium fee if your gutters are wider than average. The standard size for home gutters is 5 inches, but some homeowners have 6 or 7-inch gutters installed, which means they hold more debris and take longer to clean.

Downspout Installation

If the gutter professional finds that your downspouts are not enough during the cleaning, they may suggest that you add additional ones to help ease the overall load. Generally, this service costs between $5 and $10 per downspout but will vary by provider. Moreover, if you want the downspouts extended to push water further away from your home, the price may rise to between $6 and $15 per downspout.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, gutter cleaning costs should be expected and budgeted for if you are a homeowner. And, of course, there are lots of DIY videos you can follow, but nothing beats the efficiency and speed of a professional gutter cleaner!

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