Gutter cleaning is essential but can be a miserable job for homeowners. Gutter clogs can lead to overflows, water damage, pest infestations, and many other problems.
Thankfully, with professional gutter cleaning services, you can have sparkling clean gutters without dealing with gutter gunk on your own. In this article, I’ll go over average gutter cleaning costs and everything else you need to know about this convenient service.
If you are looking to get free estimates, check out our recommendations for the top companies below:
What Is the Average Cost of Gutter Cleaning?
The standard cost of gutter cleaning ranges from $115 to $450, with an average price of about $165. For most gutter cleaning services, you can typically expect to pay between $0.65 and $1.25 per linear foot for the first floor and $1.30 to $2.55 for the second floor. If your home has three stories or more, the expense of cleaning is even higher, with costs reaching as high as $500 or more.
Here is a table outlining the average national costs for gutter cleaning based on different standard lengths of gutters.
| Gutter’s Total Length in Linear Feet | National Average Cost |
| 100 linear feet | $65 – $125 |
| 150 linear feet | $97.50 – $156.25 |
| 200 linear feet | $130 – $250 |
| 250 linear feet | $162.50 – $312.50 |
| 300 linear feet | $195 – $375 |
What Are the Factors That Affect Gutter Cleaning Costs?
The primary factors that affect the cost of gutter cleaners include your home’s number of stories (or home height), your gutter’s length, condition, materials, and more. Below, I’ll explain all the factors that impact the cost of gutter cleaning.
Gutter Cleaning Costs by Height
The most impact cost factor in gutter cleaning prices is the height of the home. A home’s height directly affects the service costs of your gutter cleaning, increasing the price per linear foot by as much as 100%.
The taller a home is, the more difficult it is to reach its gutter system (and the more dangerous it is if things go wrong). Because of the increased difficulty and risk, gutter cleaning companies need to take more time and precautions to handle the job properly. The result is a higher cost of services and more expended labor hours, which increases your expenditure.
Gutter Cleaning Costs by Gutter Length and Roof Type
The next most important factor in your gutter cleaning final bill is the total linear feet of gutters. The more gutters a company has to clean, the more labor hours needed to complete the job, and the more you’ll have to pay.
Remember that homes with complex roof systems, such as gabled roofs, butterfly roofs, or bonnet roofs, have much longer gutter systems. These roofs often have multiple tiers, each with a different gutter system and multiple downspouts. This can be more time-consuming and difficult to navigate, which leads to higher service and labor costs.
| Roof Type | National Average Cost |
| Gabled roofs | $115 – $200 |
| Butterfly roofs | $150 – 250 |
| Bonnet roofs | $150 – $300 |
| Hip roofs | $200 – $400 |
| Intersecting hip roofs | $250 – $450 |
While it’s less common, some companies charge by the square footage of your roof instead of by the linear feet of your gutter system. When fairly priced, the total cost should be about the same. However, some companies use this pricing model as a way to inflate prices for larger homes with smaller gutter systems. This is why it’s always a good idea to compare multiple cost estimates before hiring a gutter cleaning company.
Gutter Cleaning Costs by Gutter Condition and Cleaning Frequency
If your gutters are in poor condition, a cleaning company may have to put in extra time to clean them. In extreme cases, the company may even need special equipment. On the other hand, if you perform regular preventative maintenance and common gutter repairs, they should be in good condition, which can keep costs lower.
| Gutter condition | National Average Cost |
| Poor | $200 – $450 |
| Good | $150 – $350 |
| Excellent | $115 – $275 |
Gutter Cleaning Costs by Roof Slope
If your home has a steep slope (as in landscaping, not your roof pitch), gutters can be more difficult and dangerous to clean. The gutter cleaning company needs to take more time and increased precautions to complete the project, resulting in a more expensive bill.
| Roof slope | National Average Cost |
| Slight | $115 – $325 |
| Moderate | $125 – $375 |
| Steep | $175 – $450 |
Labor
Labor costs comprise the most significant share of the bill for a gutter cleaning project. The labor costs for gutter cleaning services can vary depending on your state, current inflation rates, the season, and job difficulty.
Travel
If your chosen company has to travel a long distance to your home, you may have to pay an additional fee — this is especially true if the company has to travel outside its standard service area. Some companies charge a flat fee, while others may charge by the mile, including vehicle refueling.
| Travel Distance | National Average Cost |
| Less than 50 miles | N/A |
| 50 – 75 miles | $50 – $75 |
| 75 miles or more | $75 – $175 |
Season
During peak seasons (late spring and late fall), you can expect to pay between 10% and 20% more for gutter cleaning services.
| Season | National Average Cost |
| Spring | $135 – $540 |
| Summer | $115 – $450 |
| Fall | $135 – $540 |
| Winter | $115 – $450 |
Accessibility
If there are objects like tall trees that block access to your gutters, the cleaning company will need to take care to navigate them when working.
| Accessibility | National Average Cost |
| No obstructions | $115 – $450 |
| Some obstructions | $135 – $400 |
| Many obstructions | $200 – $450 |
Gutter Cleaning Costs by Type of Gutters
The cost of your gutter cleaning job also depends on the type of gutters. Some gutters, like copper and zinc, are high-end, made from luxury materials that require special cleaning techniques.
Beyond materials, the design of your gutters can also affect your cleaning price. Seamed gutters (sectional gutters) are more expensive to clean than seamless variants. Seamed gutters collect more debris inside the small seams between sections, making them harder to clean. Additionally, seamed gutters can’t be power washed, as pressurized water sprays can loosen the connectors.
Gutter Cleaning Costs with Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are a filter system that attaches to the tops of gutters. They block debris and keep pests from entering your gutters. This improves water flow and reduces cleaning and maintenance costs. Choosing a quality set of gutter guards can extend your gutter system’s life span and reduce the number of times it needs to be cleaned each year.
Additional Costs and Services
Some gutter cleaning companies offer additional services, like gutter repair or downspout cleaning. Gutter repair can cost you anywhere from an additional $50 to several hundred more, depending on the level and nature of the damage.
Clearing up a clogged downspout can have a price range of $35 to over $100. Some gutter service providers also offer extender and downspout installation. These prices vary depending on the material and length of the downspouts.
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What Does Gutter Cleaning Cost for Single-Story Homes?
Gutter cleaning services for one-story homes are some of the least expensive and typically range from $65 to about $250. A home on even ground with a well-maintained gutter system falls on the lower end of this cost range. However, homes on slopes with gutters in bad shape or very long gutter systems fall on the higher end of the cost range.
What Does Gutter Cleaning Cost for Multi-Story Homes?
Gutter cleaning for multi-storied homes is more expensive due to the increased risk and time. These homes are typically much larger and have a higher chance of possessing complex roof systems, which can further increase the total amount of gutters that need to be cleaned. All in all, multi-storied homes are around twice as expensive to clean as single-story homes.
On average, you can expect to pay between $130 and $510 for common two-story homes. However, this price can climb to $650 or more for larger, more complex homes, especially if the gutter system is in disrepair or is particularly difficult to access.
Is DIY Worth the Cost Savings of Cleaning Gutters?
DIY gutter cleaning is typically much cheaper than hiring a professional. However, cleaning gutters yourself is dirty, unpleasant, and downright risky.
Depending on how much time has passed since your last cleaning, gutters may be significantly clogged with all sorts of debris. Additionally, clogged gutters can become a haven for pests like wasps, spiders, ants, mice, and other nasty surprises. Even for homeowners used to working on ladders, this is incredibly difficult to handle alone, making a DIY cleaning stressful and potentially dangerous. So while you might be able to save some money on a DIY cleaning, I don’t recommend it, especially if your gutters are in major disrepair.
Instead, use a top-rated local gutter cleaning service to save you time, prevent accidents, and give you peace of mind that it is done correctly. Get quotes from three companies to compare their rates and services.
On a final note, while DIY cleaning can save you money, it isn’t guaranteed, especially if you don’t have all the necessary equipment readily available. For example, a good aluminum ladder can cost you between $95 and $450 or even more — well over the average gutter cleaning price.
Here is a quick breakdown of the equipment needed to clean your gutters and how much you can expect to pay for it:
| Equipment | Cost Range | Average Cost |
| Extendable aluminum ladder | $95 – $450 | $265 |
| Ladder brace | $45 – $85 | $65 |
| Gutter brush | $25 – $55 | $35 |
| Eye protection | $5 – $35 | $15 |
| Waterproof gloves | $5 – $30 | $12 |
| Hose and nozzle | $25 – $60 | $35 |
| Leaf blower (optional but recommended) | $35 – $175 | $110 |
| Total | $235 – $890 | $563 |
So, Is Gutter Cleaning Worth It?
Rain gutters are the unsung heroes of the home. They protect your home’s foundation from erosion and keep fascia free from water damage and pests. However, a gutter system is only as good as its condition. If you neglect your gutters, you undercut their ability to keep your home safe. Keeping your gutters in tip-top shape is essential to prevent future, more expensive problems like mold, wood-boring pests, and foundation issues.
While regular gutter cleaning can be expensive, especially for larger homes, this price pales in comparison to the cost of potential future home repairs. Overall, I recommend getting your gutter cleaned twice yearly, once at the end of spring and again at the end of fall. This way, you can remove the debris from the previous season all at once, keeping your gutters clean and debris-free.
FAQs About Gutter Cleaning Cost
What is included in gutter cleaning services?
Most gutter cleaning services include:
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- An initial free inspection
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- Manual removal of all debris from gutter systems, including twigs, leaves, minor pests, shingles, etc.
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- Application of water to flush all remaining debris from the gutter system
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- A clean up of all remaining debris, loose trash, and equipment.
Some gutter cleaning companies may also:
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- Replace broken downspouts or gutter sections
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- Realign gutters systems
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- Thoroughly clean downspouts
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- Tighten fasteners
How can I find a reliable gutter cleaning service?
You can find a good gutter cleaning service by following these steps:
- Search for local companies: Begin by looking for companies in your area.
- Check their background and service history: Look at each company’s history, customer reviews, complaints, and accreditations. Websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google My Business are great places to start.
- Schedule times for multiple free quotes: Make appointments for free quotes with your top choices.
- Ask questions: During the inspection and estimation process, ask questions about the project. This way, you can gauge customer service abilities while better understanding your project.
- Compare quotes and pick your company: Once you have all the information and quotes, you can choose the best company and the right price.
How often should I clean my gutters?
I suggest cleaning your gutters at least twice per year. The best times to clean your gutters are at the end of fall and spring. This is when your gutters take the brunt of the season’s debris. You may need to clean additional times if you live in an area with heavy vegetation or have had a particularly heavy season of leaf litter.
Alternatively, if you have a quality gutter guard system, you may need to clean your gutter far less frequently — as little as once per year. Some gutter guards, particularly gutter screens or helmets, also drastically reduce gutter cleaning costs by making the job much easier.
Can I clean my gutters myself?
Yes, DIY gutter cleaning is possible. However, it’s difficult, dirty, unpleasant, and risky, especially if you’re not used to working on a ladder. I highly recommend going with professional gutter cleaners instead. Even if you’re experienced with working on ladders, cleaning gutters on a two or three-story home is dangerous and should always be done by a pro.
