Our gutters must function as they’re meant to and remain free of dirt, debris and mould. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the easiest home task as gutters can be very difficult to reach unless you have the correct equipment.
Our guide takes a look at gutter cleaning, including how much it costs to clean a gutter, what affects the cost of this service, how you can save money on gutter cleaning and the best way to find a cleaner to take care of the job for you!
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How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Gutter?
Gutter cleaning is important because a clogged gutter can lead to potential leakages and water damage. It’s well worth investing in hiring a professional to clean your gutter so you can rest easy that the foundation of your home won’t be compromised.
The table below takes a look at estimated costs for hiring a professional to clean out your gutter.
| Job | Estimated Cost Without Scaffolding | Estimated Cost with Scaffolding | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungalow | £60-£90 | £120-£270 | Two to three hours |
| Terraced house | £90-£120 | £270-£360 | Three to four hours |
| Semi-detached house | £120-£150 | £360-£450 | Four to five hours |
| Detached house | £150-£180 | £450-£540 | Five to seven hours |
On average, it’s estimated that gutter cleaners will charge approximately £3-£5 per metre of gutter. If you live in a smaller home, be aware that many companies charge a minimum fee of £40-£50 for smaller jobs to cover their costs.
The estimated cost of cleaning a bungalow gutter without scaffolding is £60-£90, whilst the estimated cost for cleaning out a gutter with scaffolding is £120-£270. It’s estimated to take between two to three hours to clean out the bungalow gutter.
It’s estimated to cost between £90-£120 to clean a gutter of a terraced house without scaffolding; with scaffolding, it’s estimated to cost £270-£360. It’s estimated to take three to four hours to clean out a terraced house’s gutter.
The gutter of a semi-detached house is estimated to cost £120-£150 to clean without scaffolding; with scaffolding, a semi-detached gutter is estimated to cost £360-£450 to clean. It’s estimated that this clean will require four to five hours.
To clean the gutter of a detached house is likely to be the most expensive, with the pricing for a clean without scaffolding estimated at £150-£180, whereas with scaffolding it’s estimated to cost between £450-£540. It’s estimated to require between five to seven hours for this type of clean.
If you’re hoping to hire a professional to get your gutter cleaning, use HouseholdQuotes to quickly and easily search through quotes from reputable tradespeople and find the best fit for you!
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Cleaning a Gutter?
There are some factors to take into consideration when trying to figure out a good budget for hiring a professional to clean your gutter.
Size of the Property
The size of your property will play a big role in determining the final cost of having your gutters cleaned. As professionals tend to price a gutter clean in terms of metres, the larger your home is the larger the guttering is going to be, and this is going to mean you will have a higher cost for gutter cleaning.
As the table above demonstrates there is quite a big price gap between different types of housing, so do consider this when you’re putting together a budget for a gutter clean.
Height of the Gutters
Similarly, the height of your guttering system could also play a role in determining the final cost of having your gutters cleaned.
The higher up your gutters are, the more expensive they will be to clean. In some cases, the professional may recommend that scaffolding be brought onto the property to efficiently clean the gutters, and this will up the final cost.
Condition of the Gutters
If your gutters are in a particularly bad condition then this will increase the extent of the clean needed in order to get them back into working condition. This will increase the final cost of the clean.
In some cases, the professional may suggest replacing the entire guttering system – particularly if the condition of the gutters is very poor and likely to have repeat problems in the future.
Depending on what material you opt to use for a new guttering system the cost for new gutters can range from £2-£30 per metre.
Need for Scaffolding
The need for scaffolding is a particularly important factor when it comes to determining the cost of having your gutters cleaned. Usually, the height of the gutters is assessed by determining whether or not the gutters can be cleaned from the ground with a water-fed pole.
If you have a property with more than one storey, a professional will likely recommend bringing scaffolding onto the property to ensure their safety and to ensure that the cleaning job is carried out thoroughly.
Location of Property
Where you are located in the UK will impact the cost of hiring a professional to come and clean your gutters.
If you’re located in central London and the southeast, you can expect the prices to be more expensive than if your property is located in the Midlands, northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
You should try and take your location into account when creating a budget for this type of clean.
How Can I Save Money on Gutter Cleaning?
The most effective way to save money on gutter cleaning is to clean the gutter regularly! Cleaning out your gutters at least once a year will clear away any debris that could weigh the gutters down.
If a gutter is weighed down, the chances of it falling or potentially overflowing and creating leaks or unsightly stains inside and outside your home are increased.
The maintenance cost of keeping your gutters in good conditions outweighs the costs of lengthy and expensive repairs you may have to undertake in the future if your gutter’s condition is not seen to.
It’s also not impossible to consider cleaning your gutters yourself if you want to cut down on labour costs. However, we would urge you to consider your health and safety before taking on this DIY project.
You need to be certain that you’re able to reach your gutters safely and will be safe using a ladder to access the gutters. You also should research into the type of equipment you’ll need to clean the gutters without causing damage to them – for example, using a pressure hose at too high a pressure could potentially damage your gutters, particularly if they’re plastic.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of the cleaning process, we’d recommend hiring a professional to clean your gutters and save you peace of mind and keep your gutters in good condition.
HouseholdQuotes’ search function is quick and easy to use and lets you compare quotes from vetted professionals to find the best fit for your budget and job requirements!
Click To Get QuotesHow Do You Clean a Gutter?
There are a few steps to the process of cleaning out a gutter.
The gutters will first need to be accessed either with a ladder or scaffold. If you’ve hired a professional to undertake the clean they will assemble any scaffolding to allow them access to your gutters.
If you are carrying out the clean using a ladder, you will need to be absolutely certain the ladder is secure and safe whilst you are on it.
Typically, a hose is then used to flow water along the slope of the gutter to wash away any debris that may have collected there. Another method that can be used by either a professional or yourself is more traditional; you simply use a bucket and gloves to collect and clear any debris, moss or leaves from the gutter.
The down-pipe may also then need to be cleaned out. This is usually a single down-pipe on the exterior of the home.
A professional will typically tap the outside of the exterior to listen for low thuds which may indicate there’s a blockage in the pipe. They will then remove the down-pipe and use a long device to remove the blockage.
Once the down-pipe is clear it can be reassembled.
The debris can then be cleared away, usually by being placed in a compost heap or bin bag.
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Clean the Gutters for Me?
It’s always a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends, family or neighbours if they’ve used a particular tradesperson in your area for their gutters and were happy with the service provided.
This way you can be sure the recommendations are trustworthy.
Alternatively, HouseholdQuotes’ has a search function that allows you to search between vetted tradespeople. All tradespeople are reputable and reliable, so you can be sure you won’t run into any rogue traders.
Using HouseholdQuotes will help you find the best professional for the job that matches your budget!
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
It’s a good idea to make sure you have a list of questions ready to verify that the professional you are quoting from is the best fit for you.
- Ask them for a written quote. Make sure to find out if there is a minimum call-out charge for the job?
- Ask for their experience. You’ll want to hire a professional who has experience in cleaning gutters.
- For their references. If they can provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist:
Use the below checklist to give you an idea of what you should get in order before receiving quotes from a professional:
- Establish what budget you are likely going to need for your gutter clean by looking at our table breaking down estimated costs by the size of the house.
- If you decide to try and DIY the job, then make sure you have the necessary safety measures in place.
- Use HouseholdQuotes’ search function to potentially save you 40% off your project quote!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions:
What Are Some Signs That My Gutters Need Cleaning?
If you notice that plants – typically moss or grass – are growing from your gutter, that water is spilling over the edges of the gutter, that the gender appears to be coming away from the wall or bending or there are signs of pest infestations such as bugs or rodents, you will probably need to have your gutter cleaned out.
How Often Should I Clean My Gutters?
A professional will be able to examine your situation and let you know how often they would recommend your gutters get cleaned out.
Will I Need Scaffolding to Clean My Gutters?
If your gutters aren’t easily accessible, scaffolding may also need to be used then to allow the professional to be able to create a path to get to your gutters.
Do Gutter Guards or Leaf Guards Really Work?
You should be aware, however, that some of the smaller particles of dirt and debris may still be able to slip past a gutter or leaf guard. For this reason, even if using a gutter or leaf guard, we would still recommend having your gutter cleaned at least once, but preferably twice a year.
How Do I Know if I Need to Replace My Gutters or Downpipes?
However, if you’re beginning to notice cracks or holes in more than one spot in your gutters, then it may be time for replacement gutters. Cracks and holes can be repaired but if they continue to deteriorate it could potentially be more cost-effective to replace them entirely.
Your gutter system needs to be fastened together to work. If you notice fastenings on the ground or it appears the system is bending or coming away from the wall, it’s potentially time to get them replaced.