How Much Does It Cost to Clean Gutters?

Gutter Cleaning Cost Factors 

Multiple factors affect the gutter cleaning cost calculator, including the number of linear feet of the gutters, the number of stories on the home, the condition and design of the gutters, and whether you also want to clean the downspouts.

Number of Stories

As a basic rule, the contractor will charge the homeowner based on the measurement of the gutters in linear feet. 

The cost range for cleaning gutters on the first story of the home will typically be $0.70 to $1.30 per linear foot, while gutters on the second story and higher typically cost $1.25 to $2.50 per linear foot to clean.

For a home with 100 linear feet of gutters on the first story and 50 linear feet on the second story, a gutter cleaning service near you would typically only charge the premium for cleaning the 50 linear feet of second-story gutters, not the entire job.

Gutter cleaning costs increase when the cleaners are working on the second story or higher because they need larger ladders and special safety equipment to work on these gutters. Working at the second story or higher also may require a second person, further increasing the cost.

Gutter Length

The length of all gutters attached to the home, measured in linear feet, will play the largest role in determining the gutter cleaning costs. 

The typical home gutter installation will involve 125 to 200 linear feet of gutters. Larger homes will probably have more than 200 linear feet of gutters.

Rather than measuring the length of the gutters, some gutter cleaning contractors will base the estimate for the gutter cleaning costs on the square footage of the home. The contractor may use about $0.40 per square foot to estimate the first floor and about $0.80 per square foot on the second floor. 

If you have an oddly shaped home or multiple areas that don’t have gutters, you may want to insist on having the cleaning company actually measure the length of the gutters for the greatest accuracy in the measurement and in the charges.

Gutter Conditions

If you are not cleaning your gutters regularly, the contractor may charge an increased gutter cleaning price per foot of 10% to 50% for the extra time required for cleaning, depending on the level of debris. Clogged gutters may need some cleaning by hand, which increases the amount of time required, necessitating the premium charge.

The contractor should alert you of this premium charge while giving you a cost estimate, not after starting the job. The cost to repair or replace gutters will be an additional charge, with the national average range falling between $600 to $1,700. 

Seamed vs. Seamless Metal

Some gutter cleaning contractors will charge a premium if you have seamed gutters. Seamed gutters have more areas where debris could catch and pile up than a seamless gutter installation. More debris leads to a longer cleaning process. The premium charge for seamed gutters will range from 10% to 25%.

In locations where the majority of homeowners have older seamed gutters, you may receive a discount on your cleaning bill when you have newer seamless gutters installed. This discount could be 10% to 25% for seamless gutters. Again, the contractor should make any premium charges or discounts obvious when generating the estimate for the job.

Downspout Cleaning

In a typical gutter cleaning, the contractor will not specifically clean the downspouts and extenders, unless you request to have these areas cleaned. Cleaning the downspouts and extenders separately often will cost an extra $50 to $100.

As the cleaning contractor washes the debris out of the gutters, the water and debris should naturally go through the downspouts. However, if your downspouts have significant clogging that blocks the water, the cleaning service may need to clean the downspouts separately. 

If you choose not to have downspout cleaning included as part of the initial estimate, but the company ends up needing to clean the downspouts, this charge may occur in excess of the estimate.

Cleaning Wider Gutters

Some cleaning services may charge a slight premium of 5% to 10% if you have wider-than-average gutters. Standard gutters for a home will be 5 inches in width. However, extra-large gutters may measure 6 or 7 inches in width, which means they may accumulate more debris than a narrower gutter.

DIY vs. Gutter Cleaning Service 

If you want to clean your own gutters rather than hiring a professional, you can save some money. However, gutter cleaning companies have power washers made to work at various heights and made to wash debris down the downspouts. 

A garden hose won’t have the power to match the cleaning company’s equipment. Because of this, you may have to remove some debris by hand when cleaning the gutters yourself. Ladders are heavy and can be awkward to move into place. Cleaning companies will have the proper height of ladders, and they will have training to use them safely.

If you decide to hire a pro, make sure they have proper insurance and licenses to do the job safely and to cover any injuries that may occur from a fall. If you hire a teenage neighbor to do the work, you could be liable for any injuries.

FAQs

How often should gutters be cleaned?

Cleaning gutters two to three times per year is the best way to keep them free of dirt and debris that build up during different seasons of the year. Altogether, it's an important maintenance project to execute that saves you money in the long run.

When should you clean your gutters?

Always clean your gutters in the autumn after the leaves fall, as leaves are the most common reason for clogs. Clean them again in the spring, just before heavy thunderstorms become more common. 

Some people also choose to clean the gutters in early summer, as pollen structures, seeds, flower petals, and other items can fall from blooming trees during spring and clog the gutters.

How long does it take to clean gutters?

A professional gutter contractor may take one to two hours to clean the gutters on an average home. The contractor may need extra time to clean the gutters if they have significant debris in them, if you have gutter guards attached, or if many of the gutters are on the second or third story.

Do gutters with gutter guards need to be cleaned?

Yes, you will need to clean your gutters with a gutter guard installation, although cleanings can occur less frequently. 

You might be able to clean the gutters once a year and have a gutter guard inspection done at the same time. Dirt and small particles can still reach the gutters, even with gutter guards installed, necessitating occasional cleaning.