How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost?
If you have any trees near your house and you've started to notice that your gutters are overflowing when it rains, it's probably time to get your gutters cleaned. But especially if you're on a tight budget, the big question is "How much does gutter cleaning cost?"
The average cost to get your gutters cleaned by a professional is $1.00-$1.50 per linear foot, which typically translates to approximately $150-$220 for a single story home (1,500-2,500 square feet) or $220-$300 for a two story home (2,500-3,500 square feet).
However, there are a number of factors that can impact the final cost. Keep reading to get a more accurate estimate of how much it would cost you to get your gutters cleaned.
Biggest Factors That Impact Gutter Cleaning
There are a number of factors that could impact the total cost of getting your gutters cleaned.
The biggest factor is how difficult and thus how time consuming it will be to clean your gutters. If your gutters or downspouts are severely clogged, you could end up paying as much as twice the typical rate estimated above. For example, a $200 job on a single story home could turn into a $400 bill when dealing with serious clogging. Also, difficulty in physically reaching your gutters could cause an increase in price, such as if some of your gutters have large bushes or trees that are growing flush up against your house, making it difficult to get a ladder into position.
The most common factors that impact the price are the total length of footage and the number of stories. The price tends to go up as the length of gutter linear footage goes up. With additional stories, that means taller and/or more complicated downspouts that need to be cleaned. And it's not uncommon for gutter cleaning services to charge an extra fee for downspout cleaning.
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What Does Gutter Cleaning Include?
Aside from removing dirt and debris from the gutters themselves, most gutter cleaning professionals are also able to unclog downspouts, refasten loose gutters or screws, and provide an inspection and report of any more serious repair needs.
If you already know ahead of time that you'll need one or more downspouts unclogged or you can tell that parts of your gutters are separating from your roof, make sure to mention this to the gutter cleaning company you hire so they can provide you an accurate estimate of the work and costs involved.
Can't I Just Clean My Own Gutters Myself?
If you're thinking about doing the cleaning yourself instead of paying a professional, be sure to weigh out the benefits and disadvantages first. There are many household maintenance items and fixes that are easy and inexpensive to do yourself, but when you add up all the costs and hassles, gutter cleaning is typically most effectively done by a professional.
Why? Simply purchasing a tall enough ladder to reach your roof could cost you $200 or more, which coincidentally is around the same price as having a professional do the cleaning for you.
You could argue that if you clean your gutters once or twice a year, then after the first year or two then you'd be saving money by doing the cleaning yourself. Technically, if we just look at the act of cleaning the gutters themselves, then yes you could save some money in the long run by doing own your gutter cleaning.
However, a good gutter cleaning professional will be able to notice issues with the gutters while they're up there. For example, they may notice parts of the gutter that are starting to separate and might be able to re-fasten them to your roof. Or they might notice more severe damage to gutters or parts of your roof that need to be addressed to avoid additional problems. These are things that you might not have an eye for noticing, unless you personally happen to have experience doing these types of repairs.
What Happens If I Don't Clean My Gutters? Can't It Wait?
If your need for gutter cleaning is purely precautionary and preventative, you might be able to wait, but it's still a risk. Rain that overflows from clogged gutters could cause damage to your house's foundation or walls over time, and that type of damage is not often obvious until the issue is severe. Fixing foundation issues or repairing walls is many times more expensive than getting your gutters cleaned.
How Often Should I Clean My Gutters?
We agree with what most professionals recommend, which is once or twice per year. If you clean them once, fall is the best time. If you clean them twice, go for fall and early spring.
When Is The Best Time To Clean Gutters?
The most effective time of the year to clean your gutters is mid to late fall, after most of the leaves from any surrounding trees have shed the majority of their leaves for the season. This way, you're going into the winter months with very minimal debris that would otherwise sit in your gutters and cause damage.
The second best time to get your gutters cleaned is Spring, just in time for the rainy season. With no debris in your gutters, massive amounts of water from the extensive rains in Spring will be routed appropriately and not overflow onto surfaces where it could cause damage.
Where Can I Find Trustworthy Gutter Cleaning Services Near Me?
When searching online for a gutter cleaning service near you, look for a professional with a portfolio full of experience and with raving reviews from clients. If you're located in the Lancaster County or Chester County regions in Pennsylvania, our team here at Paradise Ridge Builders would be delighted to serve you! Contact us today to request a quote or to schedule service.