The average U.S. homeowner spends $167 on gutter cleaning, and most cleanings cost between $119 and $234, depending on type, length, and location.
The average gutter cleaning cost is $167, but most homeowners spend between $119 and $234. You can expect to pay between $0.95 and $1.25 per linear foot for gutter cleaning, but the number of stories your home has and your gutter condition all play a factor in the total cost.
Fall leaves are beautiful to look at, but they’ll start clogging your gutters sooner or later. You’ll want to clean your gutters at least twice a year to keep them clean and flowing properly, otherwise, you risk roof and foundation damage. Use the following guide to estimate your gutter cleaning costs and keep your gutters clear and working.
Hiring a pro to clean your gutters can help you discover if they have any unnoticed damage. Damaged gutters can cost thousands down the road if not addressed ASAP.
Your total gutter cleaning cost can depend on factors like house height, the length and type of gutters you have, and the overall condition of your gutters. While we look at the different cost factors of gutter cleaning below, it’s recommended that you contact a local gutter cleaning pro to give you an exact quote.
There are two main types of gutters: seamed and seamless. Seamed gutters are the more traditional (and costlier) option, while seamless gutters are popular for new gutter installations and are easier to clean.
| Seamed Gutters | Seamless Gutters |
|---|---|
| $165–$250 to clean | $120–$175 to clean |
| Clog more easily | Don’t clog easily |
| More affordable to install | More expensive to install |
| Shorter life span | Longer life span |
| 2–3 hours to clean | 1–2 hours to clean |
| Often found on older homes | Popular for new home builds |
Gutter cleaning pros often charge by the linear foot, so the longer your gutters, the more you’ll pay. On average, expect to pay $0.95 to $1.25 per linear foot of your gutters, though this price can be higher on a multi-story home. Most homes have about 125 to 200 linear feet of gutters, though larger homes could have more.
That said, some contractors write an estimate based on the square footage of your home rather than the length of your gutters. In this case, they’ll charge around $0.40 per square foot for the first floor and $0.80 per square foot for the second floor.
Because gutters on single-story homes are easier and safer to reach, they’ll cost less to clean. The higher the roofline, the more cleaning gutters costs, especially since maneuvering ladders into position will make your project take longer. You’ll pay about $0.95 to $1.25 per linear foot for a one-story home or $1.00 to $1.85 per linear foot for a two-story home. Here’s a look at what you can expect.
| House Height (Stories) | Average Cost (per linear foot) | Average project cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.95–$1.25 | $145–$250 |
| 2 | $1.00–$1.85 | $180–$360 |
| 3 | $1.25–$2.25 | $210–$450 |
If you have gutters on different levels, a contractor will charge based on the length of each level. In other words, you won’t have to pay a premium on the whole job—just the higher gutters.
If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, expect to spend 10% to 50% more on the job. Severely clogged gutters take extra time to clean properly and therefore cost more in the long run. In some cases, your contractor may have to clean them by hand rather than flushing the debris out.
| Home Type | Gutter Cleaning Frequency (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Average home | 1–2 (spring or early fall) |
| Homes near oak trees | 2+ |
| Homes near pine trees | 4 |
| Gutters with guards or screens | 1+ |
Labor makes up most of the cost of cleaning out gutters—about 70% of the total project cost—and you might pay a premium during peak cleaning season. You can expect to pay between $50 and $175 an hour if your gutter cleaning company charges hourly, though many choose to charge a flat rate per story.
A steeper roof slope often leads to an additional 15% increase in cost. Many gutter cleaning companies will access your roof and clean your gutters from above, which might not be possible on a steep roof. In that case, your professional has to use ladders to reach each part of your gutters, which takes significantly longer and drives up your labor costs.
Gutter guards help reduce the amount of debris that gets into your gutters and can prolong their life span. However, they don't eliminate all debris, so you’ll need to sweep them out periodically. Gutter guards add to your gutter installation cost, but they can lower your cleaning costs.
Installing a gutter guard can cost $6 to $8 per linear foot. For example, installing a 200-foot screened system would cost about $1,200 to $1,600. However, you reduce the risk of foundation damage from overflow, and you’ll reduce cleaning costs, sometimes by up to 50%, because of how straightforward cleaning is when you have gutter guards doing most of the work.
If you live out of your gutter contractor’s service area, you may have to pay an additional travel fee. Some contractors charge based on distance, and others charge a flat fee. If you live in a rural area, you might have to pay a travel fee, but you might avoid this charge in urban areas.
Gutter cleaning has two peak seasons: Autumn (when falling leaves can clog gutters) and spring (when melting snow can push roof debris into gutters). If you hire a pro who cleans gutters during a peak season, you could end up paying 10% to 50% more than you would for an off-peak job.
Knowing how often to clean your gutters is key to preventing common, costly issues like gutter damage, water leaks, and ice dams. On average, you should clean your gutters once or twice a year in the spring and early fall. But if your home is near trees, you might need to increase the cleanings to two to four times a year.
If you’d prefer to limit gutter cleaning, the best bet is to install guards or screens. Since they prevent leaves from getting stuck in your gutters, you can potentially get away with just one annual cleaning, even if you have a heavily treed property.
While getting your gutters cleaned, it’s an excellent opportunity to request these add-ons.
Contractors may recommend gutter repairs or replacement if they find damage and other issues. A gutter replacement costs $4 to $40 per linear foot.
Downspouts are an essential part of your gutter system. They transport rainwater away from your home and foundation and protect the fascia board behind your gutters from water damage.
Most pros charge $5 to $20 per linear foot for downspout installation, depending on the material. Aluminum is the most affordable, while copper is on the high end. You’ll also have to pay extra for downspout accessories like drains, extenders, and flashing.
Many people also opt for downspout drain covers, which help prevent the vertical section of pipe from clogging. These covers can push your pricing up just a bit at around $10 per downspout.
Downspout cleaning costs an extra $50 to $100. This add-on service isn’t usually included in your gutter cleaning estimate unless you ask in advance. Downspouts clear themselves as your contractor flushes your gutters, but occasionally, they get clogged and need a deeper clean.
Downspout cleaning is more expensive than gutter cleaning because the downspout is enclosed and is more difficult to access.
It’s best to schedule regular gutter cleanings before there’s a major issue, but sometimes life gets in the way. Luckily, a few telltale signs will let you know when to clean your gutters ASAP:
You notice built-up debris in your gutters.
Your gutters overflow with water when it rains.
Water doesn’t readily flow from your downspouts.
Your gutters are damaged or visibly leaking.
You notice evidence of leaking along your roof, siding, yard, or pavement.
Your gutters have pulled away from your roofing or exterior walls.
You see water damage on your soffits or fascia.
You have weeds growing in your gutters.
You start to see ants or other insects around your gutters or in your home.
You suddenly have issues with leaks in your crawl space or basement.
In the short run, cleaning your gutters on your own may seem less expensive and easier than hiring a service. After all, DIYing the job will only cost you your time and necessary tools, like a small shovel and ladder (for $20 to $50). However, some risks come with tackling this maintenance—namely, pulling a Clark Griswald and falling from the roof.
It’s best to hire a gutter cleaning service near you to stay safe and avoid any injuries, especially if you need gutters on a second-floor roof cleaned. Also, consider hiring a professional if you have gutter guards installed. Removing and replacing them yourself could cause malfunctions and void your gutter guard warranty or performance guarantee.
For some roofs, cleaning gutters is a simple DIY. For others, safety concerns will definitely justify hiring a professional.
Gutter cleaning costs can add up, especially if your home sits beneath a bunch of leafy trees. Luckily, there are a few ways to save on this service that don’t require you to get up on that ladder yourself. Follow these tips to tighten your gutter cleaning budget:
Gutter guards can’t prevent debris from building up in your gutters, but they can limit it. Homes with gutter guards require fewer gutter cleanings, though you’ll eventually have to clean and replace the gutter guards. In the meantime, some gutter guard companies will pay to clear any clogs that pop up, saving you money on cleanings.
By scheduling your cleanings during an off-peak season, you can save 10% to 50%. Avoid the peak times during autumn and spring and try to schedule gutter cleanings for early winter and early summer instead.
The longer you leave gutters to collect debris, the more it will cost to clean them because the job takes more time. Try to clean your gutters at least once or twice a year to avoid an upcharge for a deep cleaning or catch-up cleaning.
Contractors may offer a special rate if you’re willing to sign an annual contract for multiple cleanings. Before hiring a gutter contractor, ask about special deals and discounts.
When the time comes for a gutter replacement, you can save money on future cleaning costs by installing seamless gutters. As the name suggests, these gutters don’t have seams, so there are fewer places where debris can accumulate and lead to clogs. Some contractors will offer a 10% to 25% discount to clean seamless gutters because they take less time.
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The best times to clean your gutters are after the autumn leaves have fallen and in the early spring after the last snow has melted. Depending on where you live, you should aim for gutter cleaning around mid-to-late November and again in late March or early April. You can avoid upcharges during high-demand seasons by jumping the gun and getting your gutters cleaned a month or two earlier.
No, you should never use a pressure washer on the inside of your gutters. It might seem like the simplest way to clean out clogs quickly, but gutters cannot withstand extreme force. You’ll damage your gutters, which could cause leaks and, in some cases, damage your home’s siding.
Instead, remove debris by hand or use a gutter cleaning tool, then rinse your gutter out with a hose. Choose a nozzle with a less intense water flow, similar to a heavy rainstorm, which your gutters can withstand.
Not cleaning your gutters could lead to serious problems, including leaks, water-damaged siding and fascia, and foundation damage and leaking. The leaves and debris that clog your gutters create the ideal environment for mold and mildew, which can eventually rot the fascia board.
Water will start to leak and overflow, which could damage your roof or other areas of your home. You may notice pooling in your yard, which can freeze and damage your driveway or patio. Cleaning your gutters at least once or twice a year is best to avoid expensive repairs and replacements.
It takes around an hour to clean gutters on an average three-bedroom home, though it could take longer if the gutters aren’t maintained, if the roof slope demands ladders for cleaning, or if the gutters on second stories are more challenging to reach.
For larger homes with multiple stories, expect the job to take two to three hours. It will also take more time if you have gutter guards, as your professional will have to remove and replace them before and after cleaning.
Walking on the roof to clean gutters is unsafe. If you do your own gutter cleaning, use a ladder to reach the gutters rather than climbing on your roof. Walking on the roof is dangerous, especially if it has rained recently or if there are fallen leaves. You can also damage your shingles when walking on them, which can lead to water leaks.
Keep in mind that using a ladder has its risks, too. It can be difficult to keep your balance while doing the labor-intensive work of cleaning gutters. For safety reasons, hiring a pro to clean your gutters is the best choice.
If you choose to take on the task of gutter cleaning yourself, here are some tips:
Stretch plastic sheets over the ground where you’ll be working for easy cleanup.
Ensure there are no stray objects on the roof before climbing a ladder.
Clean leaves out of the gutters with either hand tools or blowers, depending on what's available.
Install downspout extenders when installing new gutters (or repair old ones) to prevent rainwater from going near your foundation.
Always work in pairs so that someone can steady the ladder while you climb up and remove debris.
