Gutter Services
Almost all the Berkeley gutter services companies we recommend are full-service. A few of the many jobs they can help you with include:
- Cleaning: Most Berkeley homeowners should clean their gutters two to six times per year. Even the bravest weekend warriors, however, might dread climbing ladders and handling the mess themselves. A gutter professional can save your sanity and valuable time by doing the cleaning.
- Installation: Licensed gutter companies have the knowledge and resources to cut and install new gutters without damaging your roof.
- Gutter guard installation: By hiring a professional to install gutter guards, you'll boost your system's efficiency and improve its lifespan by preventing clogs from leaves and seeds. Guards also help stop pests from settling inside your gutters.
- Repair: Whether you're dealing with mold, holes, loose sections, sagging, or cracking, an experienced Berkeley gutter professional can identify and resolve your gutter issues quickly.
You can use a gutter company's services as you need. Many providers will offer long-term plans that cover installation, routine cleaning, and repairs, charging by the month or year.
How To Choose a Gutter Installer
Thoroughly researching gutter companies ahead of time helps you avoid overpaying or getting low-quality work. When assessing gutter installers, look for:
Assess Their Experience
Choose an established local provider with many years, ideally decades, of gutter installation experience under their belt. An experienced provider understands your local climate and weather as well as local home architecture styles and can help you find the right gutters for your home. These providers also have proven practices for safe and efficient gutter installation.
Verify Proper Licensing and Insurance
Only hire a professional that's fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask for copies of their license, bonds, and insurance documentation upfront before committing. Proper licensing and insurance protects you from liability and shows that the company is operating legally.
Check Reviews and Referrals
Read online reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau, Google, and Yelp. Verify that the company has a proven record of excellent work and great customer service. Look for satisfied longstanding customers to gain insights into a company's reliability. Watch out for red flags, like poor communication or unfinished jobs. All our recommended providers boast a good average rating across a high number of reviews.
Choose Reputable Brands
Choose an installer with official certification through the gutter manufacturer. You'll want an installer that is formally trained to complete the full gutter installation process per the manufacturer's specifications in order to get the best results.
Examine Warranties
Only use providers that offer strong manufacturer guarantees on supplies as well as their own installation warranties. Look for 5-10 year warranties on basic aluminum gutters and 1-3 years on labor.
Gutter Installation Materials
Look for durable materials – such as heavy-gauge aluminum – that won't easily decay, rust, or warp as time passes. Materials that can handle Berkeley’s local weather are best. Also check that paints and finishes have an equally long lifespan.
Questions to Ask
Be sure to ask detailed questions when comparing gutter installers. You'll want to ask questions including these:
- How long will the full installation process take? Most companies can usually complete a gutter installation project in around a day.
- What kind of warranties are there for materials and labor? High-quality materials usually come with 5–10 year warranties. Labor is usually back by a 1-3 year warranty.
- Will you provide a detailed quote for both full gutter replacement and fixes for problem areas? Get estimates in writing to make sure you understand the price of your gutter installation before the work begins.
- What steps do you take to ensure my new gutters have the right slope and pitch to prevent standing water? Proper pitch and slope significantly decreases the likelihood of overflow. Your installer should know how to align a gutter system with your home’s roof.
- What gutter materials are best for my specific home style and the local weather conditions? Factors such as Berkeley's average annual rainfall and the risk of inclement weather in your area will affect the type and size of gutter you should get. Learn the pros and cons of each gutter material.
- Are you also able to install gutter guards? Putting in gutter guards helps prevent clogging that results from debris such as leaves getting into your gutters.
- How do you make sure there’s smooth integration with my current roofing? Look for companies that consider steps such as underlayment replacement.
Doing your due diligence to research and compare providers will help you choose the right gutter installation company for your home. Upgrading to new gutters now helps avoid more expensive water and structural damage down the road.
