If you’re deciding between hiring a professional or doing it yourself, it’s important to carefully weigh all of the pros and cons. You should also ask yourself some key questions that can help make your decision a bit easier.
Gutters are not easy to install if you don’t have the right equipment or if you’re not comfortable with precise measurements. Your gutter system is one of the most important parts of your home’s exterior and it helps protect your roof, foundation, and landscaping from water damage and erosion. This is why hiring a professional gutter contractor may be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
If you think you can install a gutter system yourself, first ask how familiar are you with how gutters work? Gutters need to be installed at certain slopes in order for the water to drain correctly. Gutter systems are also specific to the style of your home and where you live. If you live in an area with lots of rainfall you’ll want different gutters than an area that’s dry but has monsoons.
A cordless drill
A crimper.
This tool helps weld metal together.
Tin snips. This tool will trim the gutters as well as cut out patches for any holes.
Extension ladder. Gutters need to be installed from a ladder.
Hex head driver.
Level
Pop rivet gun. This tool will help connect the metal of your gutters together.
Hex head screws.
Medium length rivets.
Downspouts. This is the part of the gutter system that goes down the side of the property and drains the water. When measuring for downspouts, add an additional four feet for the extension away from the house. This protects the foundation.
Gutter elbows. These are the curved parts of the gutter that lead to the downspout. Each downspout will require three elbows.
Your gutter segments, in whatever material you chose. Your roof should be measured to know what length of gutters you’ll need.
Flashing.
A gutter hanging strap. This allows the gutters to be secured both on the back of the gutter and to the top of the roof, for extra stability.
Gutter sealant.
The national average cost of installing new gutters is $1,057. Installation costs are affected by the linear length of the gutters, how many stories tall your structure is, and the type of material used for the gutters. Labor will typically cost you between $5 and $7 per linear foot. Check out these numbers to get a rough estimate of how much your installation job will cost:
Learn more about our most frequently asked questions
Installing new gutters where there are none costs around $1,750. If they have to replace existing gutters, it will cost around $1,890.
It depends on the type of material you are planning to use and the style of gutter as well as the number of downspouts. The average cost for 50 feet of aluminum gutters, the most common material, is $775.
If you are installing an entire gutter system, it can take up to eight hours.
Aluminum gutters, the most common material for gutters, will last about 20 years. Copper gutters can last up to 50 years.
Gutter guards will save you time cleaning and help protect your gutters. However, if you perform regular maintenance on your gutters, gutter guards may not be a useful purchase.
