Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts Cost
When we begin a spring clean, we usually only focus on the inside of our homes. However, it is important to take care of the outside of your home as well, most importantly your gutters. It is advised that your gutters should be cleaned once or twice a year to clear a build-up of debris that can lead to serious problems for your home. Some problems include mould, overflowing gutters, weakened foundation and even a pest infestation! What are you waiting for? If you are looking to get your gutters professionally cleaned, here is how much it will cost.
How much does it cost to clean gutters and downspouts?
For a standard gutter cleaning, the cost will range between £75 to £200. Due to height of some properties, scaffolding may be required which will increase the cost to £325 to £450. These costs are average figures, and factors such as location, property type, size of gutters etc will impact the total cost. Here is a full breakdown of the average costs to have your gutter cleaned:
|
TYPE OF HOUSE |
AVERAGE COST |
|
Terraced House |
£75 to £125 |
|
Terraced w/ Scaffolding |
£350 to £400 |
|
Semi-Detached |
£100 to £150 |
|
Semi-Detached w/ Scaffolding |
£375 to £425 |
|
Detached |
£125 to £175 |
|
Detached w/ Scaffolding |
£400 to £450 |
Usually, downspouts are cleaned alongside your gutters for an average cost ranging between £150 to £250. However, if you are just looking to have only your downspouts cleaned than this will cost between £50 to £100 depending on the type of house, size of downspouts and their condition.
Labour Costs and Timescales
Depending on your location, most roofers charge between £18 to £25 an hour to clean gutters and downspouts. Longer jobs may be priced per day and will typically cost between £150 to £300. Cleaning gutters may also be priced per linear metre by some tradespeople. This generally costs between £4 to £5 per metre. It is best to check with the roofer you hire how they price their jobs, so that you are able to calculate an average cost.
How long it takes to clean your gutters will depend on the size of your home, the condition of your gutters, if scaffolding is required and the length of guttering. As a guide, without the use of scaffolding, a terraced house will take between 2-5 hours, a semi-detached house 3-6 hours, and for a detached house 4-7 hours. If scaffolding is required, then this will add around 2 hours extra to the time it takes to clean your gutters and downspouts.
Cost Factors
With any job, there are other factors that can impact the total cost of cleaning gutters and downspouts. Some factors that can affect the cost include:
Type of Guttering
Usually, the cost of guttering is calculated by the length of guttering and how deep of a clean is needed rather than the type of guttering. The only type of guttering that differs is seamless guttering. Seamless guttering is one long form of guttering that is not broken up into sections. This means that it typically does not build up as much dirt and debris as other types of guttering and will be easier to clean. Therefore, it will not take as long to clean and will save you money.
Location
Location is a big factor when it comes to calculating the total cost of a job. In different parts of the country, the average roofers’ labour costs differ greatly. If you live in and around London and the Southeast of England, you are likely to pay more than those in the North.
Accessibility
If your roof is harder to access through your garden, then this can increase the cost of cleaning your gutters. As the roof is harder to reach, it is a more difficult job that will take more time to complete therefore and increase in labour costs. If scaffolding is required, then this will also increase the cost of the job.
Roof Type
The cost will also depend on the type of roof you have. Whether your roof is a hip or gable end roof, it is best to check with the roofer you hire whether your roof will add to the total cost.
What does gutter cleaning involve?
Like the name suggests, gutter cleaning involves cleaning your gutters of any debris that may potentially cause a blockage in your guttering. However, there are other aspects involved in gutter cleaning, for example:
- Removing dirt and debris
- Unclogging and cleaning downspouts
- Repairing fasteners and seals
- Inspecting and cleaning gutter guards
Types of Gutter Cleaning
There are 3 main types of gutter cleaning methods. These are:
Gutter Scoop and Binliner
Using a gutter scoop and binliner is one of the more straightforward gutter cleaning methods. This method involves using a ladder to reach the gutters to scoop out any debris and then disposing of the waste in a binliner. If you already have the equipment, then this is a cost-efficient gutter cleaning method.
If you don’t have a ladder or gutter scoop, then it will cost between £70 to £100 for the equipment. The main downside however is that it is quite a time-consuming method, so if you want the job done quickly then this might not be the right one for you.
Leaf Blower
In comparison to the gutter scoop and binliner method, using a leaf blower to clean your gutters is a faster and more efficient option. This method requires using a leaf blower to blow away any leaves and debris from the gutters. It is quite a cheap option as the only cost is to purchase a leaf blower (if you don’t already have one) which tends to cost between £40 to £100.
The advantages to this method are that it is fast and once you have bought the leaf blower you can use it for many years to come. However, this method can become quite messy due to falling leaves and debris which might take a lot of time to clear up.
Rotary Gutter Cleaning System
For those uncomfortable with heights, a rotary gutter cleaning system may be the perfect method for you as it doesn’t require the use of a ladder. This piece of equipment uses a long pole which extends to be able to clean the gutters properly. A rotary gutter cleaning system tends to cost between £20 to £160 depending on the quality, so it is one of the more costly cleaning methods.
The advantages to this method are that it is safer as you do not need to use a ladder, it is handy, and can also be seen as an investment as once you have bought it you can use it for many years. The only downside is the cost as it can be quite expensive.
How to tell when your gutters need cleaning?
It can sometimes be hard to tell when your gutters need cleaning, but it is advised that they are cleaned at least twice a year. In most cases however, there will be signs that your gutters will need to be cleaned. These include:
- Water overflowing from the gutter
- Water dripping or leaking from the gutters even in dry weather
- Damp patches appearing on your ceiling or walls
- Moss growing in the gutter
- If you notice your gutters bending or sagging
- A pest infestation e.g., Bugs or rodents
Can you clean gutters yourself?
If you are looking to cut costs, then you might want to clean your guttering yourself. Although it is a fairly simple job, as it only involves removing dirt, leaves and debris from the gutters, there are things to consider before you attempt it yourself.
Firstly, to gutter cleaning will require the use of a ladder, so make sure you are comfortable with heights. Although it may seem quite a simple job, there are instances where your gutters may be damaged due to mistakes. For example, is you are using a pressure hose, make sure that the water pressure isn’t too high so that it does not damage or break your guttering. (This is especially important for plastic guttering!)
Although it can be cheaper to DIY gutter cleaning, there may be added costs if you require any tools. If you don’t already own this equipment for some gutter cleaning methods, you may need:
|
TYPE OF HOUSE |
AVERAGE COST |
|
Roof Ladder |
£60 to £80 |
|
Gutter Scoop |
£5 to £20 |
|
Leaf Blower |
£40 to £100 |
|
Rotary Gutter Cleaning System |
£20 to £160 |
|
Gutter Flusher and Cleaner |
£15 to £35 |
|
Detached w/ Scaffolding |
£400 to £450 |
Always remember that if you have any doubts about cleaning the gutters yourself, then it is best to hire a professional to take away any stress.
