When it rains, the water from the roof is directed to the connected gutters and away from the house. But if there are no gutters in place, rainwater will seep into your roof, fall down the siding, and wreak havoc on your home. Foundation problems, basement flooding, and insect infestation are just some of the nightmares that can happen if you don’t have a gutter system.
It’s not enough to just have gutters and downspouts, they need to be installed properly and cleaned regularly.
Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year to remove all the debris, twigs, and leaves that fall when seasons change. If you don’t have the time or energy to do this, consider hiring a gutter cleaner who can clear them out.
How Gutter Cleaners Calculate Their Rates
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average for cleaning gutters is $158 or between $118 and $224 per job, which may be more affordable than you think! Gutter cleaning prices are primarily determined by how many linear feet of gutters your home has, but several factors need to be considered. The total cost can be calculated based on property height, the gutter’s linear length, or square footage.
Linear Foot Pricing System
Many companies use this standard formula to calculate gutter cleaning. To determine the price, they will measure the length of gutters in feet and multiply the total by $1 per foot on single-story homes and $2 per foot on two-story homes.
If you live in a single-story home with approximately 150 feet worth of gutters, you should expect to pay from $150 to $200, depending on the gutter’s condition and amount of debris.
For homes exceeding two stories, an additional charge of $75 to $200 may apply since they need to clean the whole gutter while moving around on a ladder. This increases the effort required, slip and fall risks and therefore increases the cost.
Square Footage Formula
Another way of calculating the gutter cleaning cost is by measuring your home’s total square footage and multiplying it by $0.40 for a single-story home and $0.80 for a two-story home. Typical costs are the following:
- A single-story 2,000-square-foot home with 160-180 linear feet of gutters will run from $90 and $225.
- A two-story 2,500-square-foot home with 200 linear feet of gutter will typically be priced somewhere between $100-$250.
Using a square foot formula is not recommended if a large portion of your home’s square footage is composed of gutter-free features, such as decks, patios, or pool enclosures. In this case, you may ask the gutter cleaning company to use a different pricing model like a linear foot pricing system or an hourly basis.
Hourly Basis
A home with two or three levels can only take around 2-4 hours to clean, so charging per hour is not the best way to go. However, some companies may still offer hourly rates, which averages at $59 per hour.
What Factors Affect the Gutter Cleaning Cost
House Height
Gutters on single-story homes are always the easiest to clean. This is why most gutter cleaners will charge you a premium fee if your home has additional levels. More stories mean more ladders, special equipment, and safety gear that all affect the total costs.
Location of the Property
Your home’s landscaping features can also affect the total pricing of your project. It will take a long time to set up and move the ladders due to unstable and steeply sloped terrain, large foliage, and any obstructions. So, the gutter cleaners can charge more during these kinds of scenarios.
Gutter Condition
Can’t remember the last time you had your gutters cleaned? Then you should expect to pay a bill bigger than the average due to excessive debris buildup. Poorly maintained gutters take a longer time to clean, and the total costs may reflect that extra time.
As a rule of thumb, you should have your gutters professional cleaned at least twice a year to avoid future buildup and prevent costly cleaning expenses.
Gutter Repairs
Any visible gutter issues must be addressed first before the cleaning process starts. Most gutter cleaning companies perform inspections to check for warped gutters and downspouts, rust holes, and loose supports.
Let’s say that your gutter only has minor issues and doesn’t need to be replaced completely. The repair cost should add no more than 15% to the total pricing of the gutter cleaning. For an average-sized home, that will be an additional $20.
Gutter Screens and Accessories
Some homeowners choose to install gutter screens, gutter guards, and accessories over their systems. These plastic or metal mesh guards are used to prevent leaves and sticks from clogging the gutters. Considered as an add-on, gutter guard installation is not included in the standard packages and may cost between $7 to $10 per linear foot, including materials.
Let’s Wrap Up
The bottom line is that the cost to clean gutters always comes with being a homeowner. To make sure that you get your money’s worth, look for a professional gutter cleaning company that is transparent with pricing and services. At Pittsburgh Gutter Cleaning, we will give you a free no-obligation quote to help you get started!