How much does Gutter cleaning cost?

For gutters and downspouts to do their job, water has to flow through them freely. That allows rainwater to move down from the roof and away from the house, which helps protect walls, windows, doors, and the foundation from water damage.  

But when dirt, leaves, pine needles, and other debris wash down the roof into gutters, the resulting buildup blocks water flow. Gutters clog and fill up, then sag, overflow, and pull away from their fasteners. If gutters stay wet or muddy, they become prime breeding grounds for mold, bacteria, and mosquitoes.

That’s why once- or twice-yearly gutter cleaning is such an important part of regular home maintenance. Unfortunately, many homeowners put it off, says Pat Bresnahan, owner of Bresnahan Rain Gutter Cleaning in Los Angeles. “Most of my customers hadn’t had their gutters cleaned in 10 years,” he says. “People wait until there’s a problem, then the price goes up because the gutters are completely clogged with debris.”

Although gutter cleaning can sometimes be a DIY task, it’s a difficult, messy job, and dangerous job that requires getting on a ladder. Some 164,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in US emergency rooms every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

By hiring a professional gutter cleaner, you can get the job done quickly and safely. In this cost guide, you’ll learn about the expenses involved.

The national average cost of gutter cleaning for a single-story home is $90–225. For two-story homes, this rises to $120–325, and for three-story homes the average is $175–400. These higher prices reflect the extra equipment needed and additional risks involved in working on higher roofs, along with the additional linear feet of gutters requiring service. 

Gutter cleaning services will come to your house and give you a free quote, based on time, labor and risks required to do the job. As a general rule of thumb, costs are estimated by size and number of stories in your house. Keep in mind, other factors can dramatically affect price.

Prices go up, for example, along with house size. If you have a very large home (say 3,500 square feet) and difficult-to-clean gutters, the service could cost $1,000+.

Gutter-cleaning services may also price the job by linear feet of gutters. A gutter cleaner will typically do some quick gutter-length measurements at your home before providing a bid. By that standard, the average cost of gutter cleaning for one-story homes is $.40–.70 per linear foot. The cost for two-story homes is $.60–.90 per linear foot. Costs can extend to $1.50+ per linear foot for difficult jobs—such as on steep roofs, or with debris-packed or damaged gutters.

Here are some key issues that may affect the price quotes provided by professional gutter-cleaning companies.

These tips could help you save on the total cost of gutter and downspout cleaning. 

What is the average price to clean gutters?

Gutter cleaning prices depend on the size of your home, length and condition of gutters, and other factors. On the low end, you’re likely to spend $90–225 for a one-story home. For two-story homes, expect to pay $120–325. Higher or more difficult roofs are riskier for cleaning personnel, which increases the price of the job. 

Is gutter cleaning worth it?

Regular gutter maintenance is very important. Without it, debris can build up in the trough, which eventually restricts the flow of rainwater. This can lead to water damage to roofing, siding, walls, foundation, windows, and doors. 

How often should gutters be cleaned?

For most homeowners, gutters should be cleaned at least once per year in the fall—and again, ideally, in the spring. But if you have overhanging trees dropping debris on your roof, you may need to clean gutters more frequently. Regular maintenance will help avoid buildup of unwanted debris in the gutters, and will ultimately reduce the overall cost of each cleaning. 

Find a gutter cleaning professional in your area.