How Much to Put New Gutters on House
Estimate how much seamless gutters cost for labor & materials for your home or building, from gutter installers near you.
Cost of rain gutters greatly depends on the material you choose. Installing 200 linear feet of gutters costs as little as $600 (if you do the work yourself) to as much as $2,500-$3,000 when hiring a contractor depending on the material you install.
Seamless aluminum gutters (costing around $10/linear foot) are the cheapest and best performing option, while copper gutters are the most expensive (at $25+ per foot), and vinyl gutters are easiest to install for DIY homeowners.
Price quote includes the following: seamless aluminum gutters, downspouts, elbows, drain outlets, hangers and wall attachments, as well as professional labor by a licensed roofing contractor.
Seamless Gutter Cost Calculator
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How to Calculate Gutter Installation Cost
1) Measure the length of your gutters (along the eaves of your roof), and plug in the number in the length field.
2) Count the number of downspouts (drain pipes) on your house/building, and enter the number in downspouts field.
3) Select gutter type:
5″ K is the most common type of gutters. It is used in 95% of all installations and works for all sloped roofing materials (shingles, metal, slate, wood, etc). 5″ gutters typically use 2×3 downspouts.
6″ K gutter is used for higher volume of water runoff to a single point (typically on flat roofs) or larger commercial buildings. 6″ gutters typically use 3×4 downspouts, to accommodate higher volume of water.
4) Choose the height of your home/building. This will affect the total prices, as more downspouts will be needed, and longer ladders will have to be used on higher buildings.
5) Select if you want to have a leaf-guard installed:
Budget option is for 4′ leaf guard sections sold in home improvement stores (while it sounds "bad", it is actually my preferred option to use these – they cost significantly less than "premium" options, but work just as well, and are easy to remove, if you need to, unlike more expensive options
Expensive option is essentially the same thing as budget, made of aluminum in 10′ sections, and costs 3 times more.
6) Select you region: Prices vary greatly (+/- 15-20%) depending on your region, state and even city/town. However, we broke this down into groups of states (regions) with similar price levels, to represent more realistic local conditions.
Note, that if you live in a major metropolitan area, your actual cost may be slightly higher that our estimates (within 5-10%).
How Much Do Gutters Cost Near You?
Most homeowners report spending an average of $950-1,200 to install 100 ln.ft. of gutters by a contractor.
On the high end, metal gutters such as Copper or Zinc cost as much as $2,500-$4,000 for 100 linear feet, while prices for budget friendly vinyl gutters can be as low as $500-600 (for DIY install).
Damaged or old gutters can cause a lot of expensive problems for your home. These include:
– eroding house foundation
– water damage in the basement
– mold in the attic
– rot on the roof
Dealing with even one of these issues can cost thousands of dollars, where as timely gutter replacement is not a very expensive home improvement project.
Installing new gutters costs $10-12 per linear foot for a basic project (over 50 feet).
If you have a high pitched roof, multiple storeys or a complex architectural gutter design, your installation cost will be 15-25% depending on the increased scope of work.
A typical ranch style house will have 2 gutters, one in the front and one in the back, as well as 4 downspouts – one in each corner. If you have a porch, you will install gutters along the drip edge of the roof.
Downspouts, which help carry water away from the walls of your home and prevent flooding, cost between $5-25, depending on the material.
Most homeowners choose downspouts that match their gutters. Downspouts come pre-made in 10 foot sections. Usually downspouts get installed on the corners – on each end of the gutter.
Pro Tip: If a roofing contractor gives you a price estimate for gutters in the ballpark of $18 per foot for a 5″ K gutter, you are being ripped off! Unfortunately, this is a common practice by many unscrupulous roofers who take advantage of homeowners that have no idea how much a gutter install should cost.
Gutter Materials Prices
Your total cost for installing new gutters will vary depending on the contractor, their labor and overhead costs, as well as gutter materials.
While it may be tempting to install the cheapest gutters out there, you need to consider their overall durability, and the potential maintenance and repair costs that you will have on a regular basis.
Overall, roofing pros recommend installing the highest quality gutters that you can afford. Lets take a look at the most popular gutter materials, their costs and main features.
Vinyl Gutters Cost
Vinyl gutters are the cheapest, costing as little as $3-4 per linear foot. These are ideal for homes located in areas that don't get any severe weather and drastic temperature fluctuations.
Another benefit is that vinyl gutters can be easily installed by a DIY savvy homeowner. This offers additional savings compared to the cost of professional installation. You can easily purchase vinyl gutters in your local Home Depot or Lowe's.
For example, Home Depot sells 10 ft sections of classic vinyl gutters for $4.62. These don't need to be painted and are rust and corrosion resistant. 3 color options are available to match the style of your house and roof. Matching K-style vinyl corners cost $6.48.
On the downside, its important to keep in mind that low price also means lower quality and diminished durability.
Therefore, you will need to replace vinyl gutters much sooner, compared to other materials. However, if you live in a mild climate, and want to save money on gutters, going for vinyl is a safe choice.
If there are no snow storms, frequent rains, hot and cold weather, vinyl gutters can hold up pretty well.
It is important to keep in mind that vinyl gutters are NOT seamless. They are sold in 10 foot sections, which means that areas of seams will be prone to leaks.
This is the main reason why pros advice against installing vinyl gutters. The seams are also visible, and many homeowners find the appearance of seams very unattractive, which is another reason why they choose to stay away from vinyl gutters.
Cost of Aluminum Gutters
Aluminum gutters are a step up in both price and quality. They range in price from $5-15 per linear foot.
There is such a wide price range because there are different thickness of metal (gauge) that are possible. Aluminum gutters are very popular because they offer the best value. They are light weight, durable, and easy to install.
On the downside, in heavy winds and snow storms these gutters are more likely to get damaged sooner compared to more heavy-duty gutters. They are also more prone to cracking in areas that experience extreme temperature fluctuations.
Galvanized Gutters Cost
Galvanized gutters are a premium option in terms of durability and quality.
Prices for steel gutters start at $16 per linear foot and go all the way up to $26+ per linear foot. These gutters are more durable than aluminum and will last longer in regions that experience frequent inclement weather.
High cost is the biggest downside of steel gutters, but it may be offset by their longer service life.
Keep in mind that because steel gutters are heavy and require soldering, the labor charges for installation will also be higher compared to aluminum.
Cost of Copper Gutters
Finally, the most high-end and beautiful option are copper gutters. These are typically installed on luxury properties and add a significant boost to the overall curb appeal of the home. Copper gutters are expensive, costing $30-40+ per linear foot.
Note that copper gutters carry no additional value in terms of longevity and durability compared to less expensive metals. They are usually installed purely for the sake of aesthetic appeal. Installing copper gutters can also cost up to 15-20% more compared to other materials.
However, if you have an expensive property and a high-end roof, it makes sense to invest in copper gutters, as they will fit well with the overall curb appeal of the house.
Gutter Installation Cost
As will all home improvement projects, professional labor costs at least 50-60% of the total price. A licensed roofing contractor will charge $5-7 per linear foot to install seamless gutters.
If your home is more than 1 storey high, there will be an extra charge on labor, because the install will be more difficult and time consuming.
Hiring a handy man costs a lot less compared to a professional gutter installer. You can find people who will install your gutters for about $4-5 per linear foot, but you run the risk of poor installation.
You can expect two experienced installers to finish the job on an average size house (100-150 ln.ft.) in about 4 hours. This will include putting up gutters, downspouts, elbows, leaf guards, etc.
You will typically get better pricing on gutters from companies with their own roll-forming machine, where they make your gutters on the job-site. Usually, these companies will have lower cost of goods, since they manufacture gutters from aluminum coil, using their own equipment.
However, even when a contractor buys gutters from a distributor, the price difference is only about $0.50 per linear foot.
Note, that Lowe's offers professional gutter installation services, when you purchase the gutters from the store. Home Depot does not have an installation service.
Cost to Remove Old Gutters
Estimates do not include the cost to remove existing gutters. You can budget $100-150 for Aluminum and $250-300 for plastic gutters.
Removing wood gutters can start at $1000+. In addition, you will likely have to put in new fascia boards, to cover up the holes that will be left. This can average about $7-10 per linear foot.
Gutter Installation Tips
You should get multiple quotes from local installers – at least 3.
Select a pro you are most comfortable with or a mid-range price. Its best to work with an owner operated company – even if others offer a lower price. Trust is a big issue when hiring contractors.
Bottom line – it's pretty hard to screw up a gutter install, but it is possible. Here is what you need to know:
It's important that your contractor installs gutters with proper slope. If drains are above the low point of your gutters, water will stand, and eventually you will get a small garden growing in there.
Usually long runs of gutters have two downspouts on each end, and center slightly raised compared to the edges (even 0.5″ to 1″ difference is enough for water to drain properly).
You should replace any rotted fascia boards (wood behind your gutters), as these are your nailing surface and must be in good condition to hold gutters in place.
Use concealed hangers with screws to attach your gutters and NOT long aluminum nails. Nails tend to come out, as they split the wood, when installed. Also, nails cannot be re-adjusted vertically.
Cost of Gutter Accessories and Enhancements
In addition to the gutters themselves, you also need to factor in the price of accessories.
Downspout extensions cost $6 for vinyl, $15 for aluminum, $30 for steel, and $90 for copper.
Splash blocks direct water away from the house foundation, and cost $5-10 each.
Flashing protects roof underlayment from water damage, and can be purchased for about $10-12
Gutter hangers help hold up the gutters and provide additional strength. They are highly recommended in areas that get strong winds and heavy rain storms. Prices start at $2-3+
Heat tape is extremely useful if you need to protect your gutters against ice damming. There are many products and options available, but the average price is about $45-50 for a 6 ft roll of tape.
Leaf guards help prevent clogs and blockages in your gutters. I recommend using any type of leaf guard. I prefer to install solid plastic 4′ sections from Home Depot & Lowe's – these are least expensive, and work just as well as premium guards.
The total price difference to have plastic leaf-guards installed is about $550. You may spend more than that to have your gutters cleaned just once.
Leaf guards also minimize ice dams in gutters!
Finally, I don't recommend integrated leaf guards (where guard is built into the gutter), as well as Mesh, Foam or Filter type guards.
The reason is that they all get clogged with leaves and pine needles, and are a pain to clean. Moreover, an integrated solution is A) very expensive and B) if it gets clogged (although it's "guaranteed" not to), you will never be able to clean it out.
Sectional vs seamless gutters
When looking at different gutter options and materials, the most important consideration is whether you want your gutters to be sectional or seamless.
Seamless Gutters
Seamless gutters are the best when it comes to durability and leak protection. Since there are no seams, there are also no places where water would be able to seep through the gutter.
Seams exists only at the corners – here they are carefully screwed together and sealed with silicone to prevent any leaks.
Essentially, seamless gutters consist of one giant strip of metal, which has been custom – made for your home.
This is accomplished by using a coiled metal and a gutter machine to extrude the gutter to the exact length of the run. Such customization comes with a much higher price tag, compared to sectional gutters.
Typically, professionally installed aluminum seamless gutters cost $10-12 per linear foot. So if you need to install 150 ln.ft. of gutters and downspouts, you will be spending about $1,500-1,800.
In terms of material options, most seamless gutters (roughly 80% of all installs) are made from aluminum.
These can also be painted to complement the color of your roof and siding. More expensive seamless gutters are made from either galvanized steel or copper.
Sectional gutters
Sectional gutters are manufactured in either 5, 10, or 15 foot sections. 10 foot gutters are the most common and popular.
Their biggest advantage is the low cost and the possibility of a DIY install. The obvious problem is that there are unavoidable seams in multiple areas, which makes the entire gutter system prone to leaks.
Sectional gutters come in the following materials: vinyl, wood and aluminum. Aluminum sectional gutters have about 25 different colors to choose from, which gives you a lot of design options for your home. Vinyl sectional gutters are usually white, beige or brown – but they are also the cheapest option.
Cost to Clean Gutters
Keeping your gutters clean and free of leaves, sticks, etc is essential to their longevity. Its very easy to clean the gutters by yourself. All you need is a pressure washer and a special extension for cleaning gutters. These extensions are not expensive; you can get one on Amazon for about $25-30.
Alternatively, you can have your gutters professionally cleaned. This will cost $125-250 depending on the scope of work and local contractor prices. If you are afraid of heights and don't feel comfortable standing up on a ladder, it's best to hire a roofer or handyman to clean your gutters.
To ensure that your gutters work properly, you should clean them at least three times a year. This may need to be more frequent depending on local weather conditions, presence of trees over your roof, etc.
One good idea is to periodically monitor your gutters to make sure that they are not clogged and the supports are not loose or broken. Downspouts should also be checked for any stuck debris.
Best of luck with your project – please let me know in the comments below how much you ended up spending to install new gutters.
Published:
This roofing guide is presented by Leo B. I've been a roofer for 15 years, and specialize in Metal Roofing and Flat Roofing. Have a roofing question or issue? Ask me any roofing question! Roofing Contractors - join our free Local Roofers directory to get more customers!
How Much to Put New Gutters on House
Source: https://www.roofcalc.org/gutters-calculator/
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