How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (2024 Guide)
Typical Cost Range: $1,700 – $3,100
The average cost of a home gutter installation is $2,400, with a range between $1,700 and $3,100. This range reflects gutters made of the most common materials: vinyl, aluminum, and steel. Premium materials, such as copper and zinc, can cost $10,000 or more. If we break down installation cost by price per foot, then the typical range is $6โ$14 per linear foot of gutter material with an average cost of $10 per linear foot. The square footage of your home can also be used to estimate gutter replacement cost. The typical range is $0.70โ$1.50 per square foot of home, with an average price of $1.10 per square foot.
The exact price depends on several factors, such as gutter material, installation method, roof pitch, and gutter size and style. In this guide, we’ll detail the factors that affect gutter installation prices and the necessary considerations for planning a professional or do-it-yourself (DIY) install.
All cost data was sourced from HomeAdvisor unless otherwise noted.
Average Cost of Gutter Installation by Material
The biggest factor that affects where you might fall within the cost range for gutter replacement is the gutter material you choose. The type of gutter material you choose sets the baseline cost per linear foot and impacts labor rates. We’ll describe each material below along with the average cost of installation by total cost and by linear feet.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and vinyl gutters
While PVC and vinyl are different materials, they are used interchangeably in gutter installations. These gutters are the most budget-friendly option at $3 to $6 per linear foot so the price range for a typical home requiring 200 linear feet of material is $600 – $1,200. They are also the most fragile and may crack, break, or warp in severe temperature changes. You can only expect plastic gutters to last 10 to 20 years in moderate climate conditions.
Aluminum gutters
Aluminum gutters are lightweight, rust-resistant, and easy to install. Expect to pay between $5 and $14 per linear foot so the cost range for the gutter installation for this material is $1,000 – $2,800. Aluminum typically lasts 20 years or more under ordinary conditions. The downside to these gutters is their tendency to dent from impacts such as hail or falling tree limbs.
Galvanized steel gutters
This material is coated in zinc to improve its resistance to rust and corrosion. Itโs stronger than aluminum but also heavier and more difficult to install. Expect to pay $6 to $14 per linear foot with a typical cost range of $1,200 – $2,800 for a typical home. Galvanized steel gutters and the system will last 20 years or more.
Copper gutters
This material is uncommon but carries an old-world, regal look and has a long life span. Copper gutters last more than 50 years with regular gutter cleaning and maintenance. Youโll pay between $25 and $40 per linear foot for copper gutters from most installation companies, so you can expect that the total cost of gutter installation will be between $5,000 and $8,000.
Zinc gutters
Zinc is a low-maintenance but expensive, high-end material that doesnโt rust. It forms a self-healing patina that obscures scratches and scrapes. These gutters can last 80 years or more and cost $10 to $29 per linear foot with a total cost range of $2,000 – $5,800.
An average home requires about 200 linear feet of gutter material. The table below outlines the typical labor and material costs for installing 200 linear feet of K-style gutters on a one-story home.* The table also includes prices for additional components, such as downspouts and splash blocks.
Component | Vinyl Cost | Aluminum Cost | Steel Cost | Copper Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gutters (200 linear feet)** |
$391โ$512 |
$604โ$766 |
$840โ$976 |
$1,978โ$3,024 |
Hangers (40 count) |
$120 |
$110 |
$96 |
$133โ$1,649 |
Downspouts (6 x 10 linear feet) |
$176 |
$131โ$348 |
$277 |
$1,271 |
End caps (6 count) |
$30 |
$21โ$55 |
$15โ$88 |
$30โ$356 |
Elbows (6 count) |
$33 |
$12โ$16 |
$35โ$202 |
$84โ$388 |
Flashing (200 linear feet) |
$120 |
$182 |
$475 |
$1,302 |
Splash blocks (6 count) |
$54 |
$54 |
$54 |
$54 |
Labor cost |
$800 |
$900 |
$1,000 |
$1,400 |
Total gutter installation cost |
$1,724โ$1,845 |
$2,014โ$2,431 |
$2,792โ$3,168 |
$6,252โ$9,444 |
*Material costs in the table were sourced from Gutter Supply and The Home Depot; labor costs were sourced from HomeAdvisor.
**Low- and high-end gutter prices are for 5- and 6-inch K-style gutters.
What Other Factors Impact Gutter Installation Cost?
In addition to material, the factors that affect the cost of your gutter installation include gutter style, gutter size, and even your homeโs landscaping and how many stories there are on your home.
Gutter Style
Gutter style impacts both material and labor costs. Less common designs carry a higher price tag and typically require specially trained installers.
K-style gutters are the standard option for most modern homes. These gutters are easy to install and can withstand heavy rainfall. K-style gutters look similar to crown molding and match many architectural styles. Their steep trough and simple design make them reliable and easy to install.
As their name suggests, these gutters appear similar to a barrel cut in half. Half-round gutters are elegant and popular on historic or upscale homes, especially as theyโre often made of copper. Theyโre more difficult to install and hold less water than comparably sized K-style gutters.
These are an older style of gutter used more frequently in the 1800s and 1900s. Today, theyโre more commonly seen in industrial buildings but are occasionally used in residential homes. They have a wide and deep design that can handle heavy water flow but lack the decorative look of other contemporary styles.
Sectional gutters are the standard option for most homes. These gutters come in pre-cut lengths that attach using connectors (also called joiners). The gutter installer must seal seams between sections with a waterproof caulk. Sun, weather exposure, and debris weight can deteriorate the caulk over time and cause leaks.
Seamless gutters are made from single pieces of guttering attached at the corners. Installers measure and custom-fit each piece of the gutter system to your home’s roofline, using a rolling machine to cut the gutters on-site. Seamless gutters cost more but are less prone to leaking.
Gutter Size
Gutter size typically references a systemโs width, measured from the back (facia-facing) side to the front of the gutters. The wider the gutter, the more youโll pay in material costs. The most common gutter width is 5 inches, but homes in rainy regions may require a 6- or 7-inch system.
Additional Cost Factors
While your gutter system’s style, size, and material determine the baseline price range for its installation, other factors play a role in total installation cost, including the following:
- Additional parts: Your installation estimate will include the material cost for components such as brackets, downspouts, elbows, gutter end caps, hangers, and splash blocks.
- Landscaping: Expect to pay increased labor rates if your landscaping makes it difficult to install gutters on your home.
- Local labor rates: Availability of services, local taxes, and regional income levels impact general labor rates, which affect the price of your professional gutter installation.
- Service fees: Expect to pay service fees if your installer has to carry materials a long way, repair roof sections, dispose of materials, or undertake additional work.
- Height of your home: Your homeโs height can directly impact your labor costs. Two-story homes are more difficult and dangerous to work on and require specialized tools.
What Are the Major Signs That Your Gutters Need To Be Replaced?
Before scheduling a gutter replacement, consider whether your system is at the end of its life or just requires a quick gutter repair. The following signs indicate it may be time to replace your gutters:
If your existing gutters sustained damage from a hailstorm or have loose hangers, youโll likely be able to repair them rather than invest in a new system. However, if your old gutters are nearing the end of their life, small repairs or patch jobs will be temporary fixes at best.
How Can You Extend the Life of Your Gutters?
Like most home systems, the best way to extend the life of your gutters is with routine maintenance. Clean gutters function better than clogged gutters, allowing them to filter debris and water more efficiently. We recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice per year at the end of fall and spring. Youโll remove the most debris at once during these times of year.
Regular inspections are also essential in keeping your gutter system functioning at peak performance. Have your system inspected once every one to three years to spot minor damage before it leads to more expensive problems. You can inspect and repair your gutters yourself or hire a professional.
We recommend installing top gutter guards to extend your gutter system’s life. Gutter guards are protective installations that block debris buildup and keep pests out of your gutters. While gutter guards wonโt eliminate the need for gutter cleaning and maintenance, they allow you to reduce the difficulty and frequency of cleaning to once a year or so.
You can compare our top recommended gutter guard providers for professional installation in the table below. These providers also offer gutter installation services.
Compare Gutter Guard Providers
How Do DIY and Professional Gutter Installations Compare?
Homeowners can choose DIY or professional gutter installation. Each method has its benefits and downsides, but the main differences come down to cost and quality.
The do-it-yourself route will always cost less because youโre bypassing labor rates and other fees charged by gutter companies. However, gutter companies offer professional services, materials, and techniques unavailable to even highly-proficient homeowners.
For example, a homeowner canโt install seamless gutters themselves because they require a rolling machine and special training to create them. Many materials are also off the table, such as copper, zinc, and steel, because their weight makes them unwieldy and dangerous for one person to install alone.
Other benefits of choosing a professional gutter company include access to additional services, such as gutter repair, downspout installation, or debris disposal. They may also provide long-lasting workmanship warranties.
As helpful and convenient as it is to hire a gutter professional, you will pay a premium for their services. On average, you can expect to pay $2,400 for gutters to be installed on your home. If you decide to do it yourself, a DIY installation will cost an average of $1,100 to $1,300 for 200 linear feet of a 5- or 6-inch K-style aluminum gutter system.
How Can You Save Money on Gutter Installations?
You can save money on your gutter installation by maintaining a clean gutter system and shopping smart when choosing a gutter installation company.
By keeping your gutter system free of debris and undertaking regular maintenance, you extend its lifespan and get the most for your dollar. Plus, a clean and well-kept system will be easier for your technicians to work with when they install your new gutters, reducing fees.
Being smart when picking your contractor saves you money and leads to a better experience overall. Review your options carefully when shopping for a gutter installer. We recommend reading reviews on Better Business Bureau, Google My Business, and other independent review sites.
Are Gutter Guards Worth It?
Gutter guards can make future cleaning and maintenance for your gutter system easier. However, gutter guard installation can cost as much as new gutters. Some professional installers charge $5,000 for 200 linear feet of gutter guards.
Like many home improvement add-ons, gutter guards can be worth the investment if you choose the best product for your needs. Some gutter guards perform better than others, and not all brands are suited for every gutter design or climate. For example, reverse curve guards can self-clean and block oak leaves but can’t handle heavy rainfall. Brush guards are inexpensive and easy to install but do anything against pine needles.
We recommend stainless steel micro-mesh guards for homeowners because theyโre the best-performing product overall. These guards block most debris types in various climates. We tested more than a dozen DIY brands and LeafFilter. Micro-mesh guards performed the best. We also recently surveyed 1,000 homeowners and 84% of them responded that they were satisfied with how they perform.
Our recommendation for the best professionally installed gutter guard is LeafFilter and Raptor is our pick among DIY products.
Which Type of Gutters Are Worth the Cost?
Aluminum seamless gutters are a safe choice for a reliable, long-lasting rain gutter system at a mid-range price. If you live in an area with extreme weather or high winds, consider a heavier gutter system such as stainless or galvanized steel. Copper gutters may be worth the investment and add to your resale value if you live in a historic home.
Whichever kind of gutter system you choose, we recommend researching local installation companies and requesting free quotes to find the best gutter installation companies for your budget. It is also helpful to receive quotes from gutter guard installers who can provide you with a new gutter installation along with long-term protection from debris that can clog your gutters.
FAQ About Gutter Installation Cost
Do gutter alternatives work?
Gutter alternatives donโt work as well as gutters in most situations. For example, rain chains and drip paths overflow in moderate rainfall. However, if your homeโs landscaping has gradation that slopes away from your foundation, alternatives may be enough to protect your foundation.
How long do gutters last?
Gutters have different lifespans depending on the material. Plastic gutters last 10 to 20 years, aluminum and steel last up to 20 years, and zinc and copper last 50 years or more.
What is the most common problem with gutters?
The most common problem with gutters is their constant debris buildup and clogging issues. As plant debris falls or is blown by wind, it lands inside your gutters and causes clogs and overflow. This spillage can eventually lead to water damage, soil erosion, and foundation shifting.
Can not having gutters cause foundation problems?
Yes, not having gutters can cause foundation problems. Without gutters, water is free to flow from your roofline right onto your foundation. This hydrostatic pressure will lead to foundation cracks and shifting and other expensive problems.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
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