How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost in 2026?

By Michael JohnsonUpdated November 11, 20269 sources comparedHow we estimate

Most homeowners pay $120 to $350 to have their gutters professionally cleaned, with a national average of about $230 per visit. That figure is the mean of the averages published by Angi ($167), HomeGuide ($175), This Old House ($275) and Fixr ($300). The price mostly depends on how many linear feet of gutter you have, how tall your house is, and how clogged the gutters and downspouts are.

Gutter cleaning cost per linear foot and by stories

Most companies price by the linear foot of gutter, then adjust for height. The table compiles the per-foot rates and typical totals from four independent cost guides. A typical house has 125 to 200 linear feet of gutters (Angi), and Fixr's rule of thumb is about 10 linear feet for every 100 square feet of home.

The sources disagree mainly on the national average, not on per-foot rates. Angi and HomeAdvisor (same company, same dataset) report what their users paid, which skews toward single-story homes and simple jobs, so their $167 average is the lowest. Fixr's $300 average is built around a two-story house with 150 feet of gutter, and This Old House's $275 includes higher-end appointments. Our $230 average sits between those, and the typical range covers most one- and two-story homes.

Cost by home size

If you don't know your gutter length, square footage is a decent proxy. HomeGuide lists these totals:

Some contractors quote by floor area instead: about $0.40 per square foot of first floor and $0.80 for the second floor, according to Angi. That works out to similar totals for most homes.

Downspout flushing

A standard cleaning usually includes checking that downspouts drain. Clearing a packed downspout is extra work: Angi, HomeAdvisor and Fixr put it at $50 to $100, and HomeGuide at $60 to $150. Fixr says gutters plus clogged downspouts typically run $170 to $350 in total. A blocked downspout defeats the whole cleaning, so ask the crew to flush each one with a hose and confirm water exits at the bottom.

Cleaning gutters with gutter guards

Guards reduce how often you need a cleaning, but they don't eliminate it. This Old House prices professional cleaning of guarded gutters at about $162 per visit, or $0.70 to $1.30 per linear foot. How often you need it depends on the guard:

If your guards are screens that must come off, HomeGuide says companies charge $30 to $80 extra to remove and reinstall them. If you are weighing guards as part of new gutters, our gutter installation cost guide covers both.

Labor vs. materials

Gutter cleaning is almost all labor. There are no parts to buy; the price pays for the crew's time, ladders and safety gear, insurance, travel and debris disposal. Angi and This Old House (citing LeafFilter) both say labor is about 70% or more of the price. Hourly rates run $40 to $80 (HomeGuide), and a pro typically finishes an average home in 30 minutes to an hour, or two to three hours on very large or multi-story homes (This Old House, Angi).

That is why we use a labor share of 70% for the state adjustment. The remaining 30% covers equipment, insurance, travel and disposal, which vary less by location.

What drives the price up or down

• Height. Each story adds ladder work and risk. Per-foot rates rise from roughly $1 on a single story to $2 or more on a three-story home (Angi, Fixr).
• Condition. Gutters that haven't been cleaned in years can cost 10% to 50% more (Angi, HomeAdvisor, LeafFilter), and LeafFilter puts severely clogged jobs around $500.
• Roof pitch. A steep roof adds about 15% (Angi, LeafFilter), because the crew may need to work from the roof with fall protection.
• Gutter type. Seamless gutters are quicker to clean. Angi lists seamed gutters at $165–$250 and seamless at $120–$175.
• Access. Dense landscaping, decks or slopes under the gutters add 5% to 10% (LeafFilter).
• Season. Fall and spring are peak seasons and can cost 10% to 50% more; booking off-peak can save a similar amount (Angi).
• Add-ons. Minor repairs add about 15% to the quote (Fixr), and resealing leaks or rehanging small sections runs $100 to $450 (HomeGuide). Bundling a roof cleaning costs $650 to $1,100 together (Fixr).

Gutter cleaning cost by state

Because the job is mostly labor, local wages move the price more than they do for material-heavy projects. The table below starts from our national range, compiled from the sources above, and adjusts the labor portion (70%) using the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for each state.

Use the state figure as a starting point. Prices also differ a lot between a dense metro area, where crews can do several houses a day, and a rural area with long drive times.

DIY vs. hiring a pro: ladder safety comes first

Cleaning single-story gutters yourself is a reasonable DIY job if you own a sturdy ladder. Basic gear such as a gutter scoop, gloves and a bucket costs about $20 to $50 (Angi), and This Old House estimates DIY supplies at $35 to $150 a year. Expect to spend two hours or more on an average house.

The real cost of DIY is the fall risk. Even trained workers get hurt: the CDC counted 113 deaths and about 34,000 emergency-room visits from work-related ladder falls in 2011, according to a CDC analysis published in 2014 (CDC MMWR). Homeowners climb less often and usually without a spotter.

If you do it yourself:

• Set the ladder at the right angle. OSHA's rule is that the base should sit about one foot out for every four feet of working height (OSHA ladder safety).
• Keep it clean and clear. Wet leaves on rungs and clutter at the base cause slips. Move the ladder often instead of overreaching.
• Don't stand on the top rung of a stepladder, and don't use a ladder for something it wasn't built for.
• Stay away from power lines where the service drop meets the house, and use a fiberglass ladder near any electrical service.
• Work with a helper who can steady the ladder and call for help.

Hire a pro for two- and three-story homes, steep or slick roofs, gutters above decks or slopes, or if you have any balance or mobility concerns. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage; if an uninsured worker falls on your property, you could face the claim.

How to save money on gutter cleaning

• Book off-season. Early winter or summer slots can be 10% to 50% cheaper than the fall rush (Angi, HomeAdvisor).
• Don't let it go. Cleaning on schedule avoids the 10%–50% surcharge for neglected gutters and lowers the risk of fascia rot and foundation water problems.
• Bundle with neighbors. Crews save travel time when they can clean several houses on one street; ask whether the company offers a discount for neighbors who book together.
• Bundle services. Pairing gutter cleaning with roof or window cleaning on one visit saves a second trip charge; ask for a combined price.
• Sign up for a plan. Ask whether a twice-a-year service agreement lowers the per-visit rate.
• Consider guards if trees are the problem. Under pines or oaks you may need four cleanings a year; good guards can cut that to one. Compare the guard cost with several years of cleanings before deciding.
• Get two or three quotes for the same scope: total linear feet, downspout flushing and debris haul-away.

How to compare gutter cleaning quotes

A fair quote should state:

• Total linear feet and number of stories the price is based on.
• Whether downspout flushing is included or priced separately.
• Whether debris is bagged and hauled away or left for you (some companies charge $20 to $35 to haul it, per HomeGuide).
• Any guard or screen removal fee.
• That the crew will check for loose hangers, leaks and sagging sections, and what repairs cost if found.
• Proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation.

Red flags: a price far below others with no mention of insurance; a crew that refuses to flush downspouts; door-to-door offers that turn into a pricey repair or a hard sell for gutter guards; or a request for full payment before work starts.

Hidden costs people forget

• Clogged downspouts: $50 to $150 extra when they need more than a quick check.
• Repairs found during cleaning: loose hangers, leaking seams or sagging runs, often $100 to $250 (Fixr, LeafFilter).
• Debris disposal if it isn't included.
• Tipping: optional, but Angi notes $10 to $20 per cleaner is common.
• Water damage from skipped cleanings. Overflowing gutters soak fascia, siding and foundations. If water is already pooling against your house, see our basement waterproofing cost guide and roof repair cost guide before small leaks turn into bigger bills.

Bottom line

A professional gutter cleaning usually costs $120 to $350, and about $230 is a realistic national midpoint. One-story homes with routine maintenance land near the bottom; two- and three-story homes, steep roofs and clogged downspouts push it up. Because the price is about 70% labor, your state and season matter as much as your gutter length. Schedule twice a year, book outside peak season, and hire an insured pro for anything above the first story.