How Much Does It Cost to Install Downspouts? [2025 Data]
The average cost to install downspouts is $670, but it can range between $315 and $1,070, depending on materials and how many linear feet you need.
The average cost to install downspouts on your home's rain gutter system is $670, though homeowners can spend between $100 and $3,265. At between $6.50 and $22.25 per linear foot, adding downspouts is a cost-effective way to help safeguard your home from water damage.
Downspout Installation Cost Factors
The cost of installing downspouts factors into the cost of replacing your home's gutters. However, there may be times when replacing parts or all of your downspouts is necessary. Your gutter system downspouts are essential for diverting water away from your home's foundation after it's collected from the roof surfaces. Here are the costs of replacing all or some of these crucial gutter-system components.
Material Type
Homeowners most often match the type of downspout material to that of the home's gutter system. However, that's not a hard and fast rule. You're free to choose the type that works best for your situation and budget. For instance, if your home's gutters are aluminum, but vinyl downspout replacements fit your budget better, you can choose that option.
| Downspout Material | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $6–$12 |
| Aluminum | $7–$30 |
| Galvanized | $7–$22 |
| Copper | $23–$68 |
Size
The size of your downspouts refers to the square inches of space available within them to allow water to pass through them. The larger the downspout size, the more space is available for water to flow, which affects the amount of water they can move at once. Larger downspout sizes are necessary for large roofs and in locations that experience heavy rainfall.
| Downspout Size (Inches) | Average Cost Installed per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| 2x3 | $6 |
| 3x4 | $8 |
| 4x5 | $11 |
Length
Gutter downspouts come in varying lengths, usually between four and 12 feet, if you choose not to have a seamless system professionally installed. The most common ones come in 10-foot lengths.
While the length of downspouts necessary to span the distance from your gutter system to the ground doesn't change, the length of the extensions to divert away downspout water is a variable to consider for both cost and home protection.
The cost of extensions is equal to or slightly less than the standard cost of the type and material of downspouts you choose because of their ease of installation, provided they're not underground.
It's important that your gutter system's downspouts drain at least 5 to 10 feet away from the base of your house. Otherwise, water could collect near your home's foundation and cause significant damage.
Style
Standard gutter-system downspouts are rectangular in shape and available in various lengths. However, other options exist, including seamless systems, round shapes, and rain chains. Rain chains are decorative options to traditional downspouts that offer less foundation protection for your home but are appropriate and attractive for use where less protection is necessary.
| Downspout Style | Average Installed Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Seamed | $6–$18 |
| Seamless | $8–$25 |
| Round | $8–$30 |
| Rain chain | $4–$20 |
Labor
Companies that perform gutter installations also install downspouts. When hiring a local gutter pro, labor costs for downspout installations make up between 20% and 50% of the project cost.
Prep
Some preparation work will be necessary depending on why you're installing new downspouts. If you're replacing your entire gutter system, the first step is to work with your installer to create a plan and determine the cost of gutter replacement.
If you're replacing existing downspouts, you will need to remove the originals and make any gutter repairs before proceeding. The cost of prep work is included in your project estimate and is between 2% and 20% of the cost.
Home Height
For two-story and taller houses, the height of your home can be a cost factor if special equipment is necessary to complete the installation. Expect up to 50% higher prices if your installer needs to use a crane or other machinery to perform the job.
Cost to Install Underground Downspouts
A common feature, especially for modern homes, is adding underground downspouts to a rain gutter system. These features not only divert water away from the house but are visually pleasing and less prone to damage due to the absence of above-ground downspout extensions.
While more costly than traditional downspouts, the cost of installing underground drainage is often worth the added benefits. Expect to pay an additional $3 to $8 per linear foot for the feature.
Downspout Installation Ongoing Costs
As is true of any exterior element of your home, your downspouts require some ongoing care to keep them functioning as necessary to protect your home.
Maintenance
Maintaining your downspouts and gutter system as a whole requires regular cleaning and inspections. The average cost of gutter and downspout cleaning is between $120 and $235. Many homeowners hire a pro to perform the task once or twice annually. However, if rainfall is scarce in your location, you can hire someone on an as-needed basis.
Repairs
Downspout damage is often more than just about appearance. Because your downspouts perform a critical function in helping to protect your home's foundation, fixing any damage to them is essential when it happens. Expect costs starting at $4 per linear foot for any repairs that become necessary during the life of your system.
DIY Downspout Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
While you can save up to 50% of the job cost by installing your own downspouts, taking on the job can be risky in terms of your safety. Because the work takes place on the roof or from a ladder usually placed precariously close to the roof's corner, your personal safety is a real concern.
However, knowing how to install downspout extensions at ground level if your existing ones aren't adequate is appropriate, provided you understand where the best place to divert the water happens to be.
Most homeowners choose to hire a local gutter installation company for their downspout installation and repair needs. Doing so ensures that the system performs at its best to protect the investment that is your home.
Cost of Common Downspout Installation Add-Ons
There are several options for additional downspout features that you can add to a new or existing gutter system. Most of them cost between $5 and $50 and include filtering screens to help keep debris out of your downspouts, flexible elbows and extensions that offer mobility for lawn mowing and other tasks, splash pads, and diverters for use with rain barrels.
Additionally, many homeowners opt to complete other roof and gutter-related tasks during downspout replacements.
Roof repair cost: $390–$1,930
Shingle repair cost: $360–$1,830
Gutter installation cost: $625–$1,715
Landscaping cost: $1,250–$6,280
Tree trimming cost: $270–$1,800
How to Save Money When Installing Downspouts
While we don't recommend DIY as a money-saving option for downspout installation, there are some things you can do to manage costs.
Regardless of your gutter material, you can choose different, less costly materials for your downspouts to better fit your budget.
You can choose to have your installer include only standard-length downspouts or add extensions yourself after the fact.
Don't delay repairs if your downspouts experience damage. While it costs immediate money to do the work, not doing so as soon as possible can cause even more expensive damage to your home or its foundation.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Underground downspouts refer to the sections of downspout extensions that lead away from your home and gutter system. While they cost more than traditional extensions, they can provide several benefits, such as less frequent damage and no need to move them for lawn care tasks. Whether they're worth it or not depends on your budget at installation time and how much convenience they'll add to your situation.
Your home's rain gutter system requires adequate downspout capacity to shed the water the roof collects. This is to keep excess water from spilling over full gutters during heavy rain, which would significantly reduce the effectiveness of the entire system. Your gutter system will require at least one downspout every 20 to 40 feet in most climate areas.
