How much does it cost to replace gutters?
It goes without saying that usually you don’t care until you need new gutters.
If your gutters can’t hack it anymore and you’re curious as to what new gutters will set you back, you’re in the right place. Use our gutter cost calculator below.
PLEASE NOTE:
This calculator provides a rough estimate based on average material costs and labor costs, both of which can vary by region and other factors. Moreover, if you have a complex roof, the cost will very likely be higher.
The resulting estimated cost is not a quote for services.
Related: Gutter Cleaning Calculator | Gutter Cleaning Tools | Types of Gutters | Parts of a Roof Gutter | Gutter Alternatives
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Estimating Your Gutter Linear Feet
One way to measure linear feet is by actually measuring every foot of gutter you have. Another approach is eyeballing it based on your home’s width and depth dimensions. It depends on how precise you want to get.
Here are some examples to give you an idea as to what your linear feet might be.
Note that it’s the footprint, not your home’s liveable square footage which could be split up among multiple levels.
- 1,000 sq. ft. footprint = 30 ft. x 33 ft. = 126 linear feet.
- 1,600 sq. ft. footprint = 40 ft. x 40 ft. = 160 linear feet.
- 2,500 sq. ft footprint = 50 ft. x 50 ft. = 200 linear feet.
- 3,600 sq. ft. footprint = 60 ft. x 60 ft. = 240 linear feet.
Materials Cost
We used averages provided by Homeadvisor which are as follows:
Gutter Materials (Per Linear Foot):
- Vinyl: $4.00
- Aluminum: $10
- Steel: $15
- Copper: $35
Downspurt Materials
We made several assumptions here. First is that a downspurt will be placed every 35 linear feet. Second, that the average length of the downspurt would be 10 feet long.
If you have a two-story home, the downspurt cost will be slightly higher due to slightly more materials will be needed.
For example, if you need 200 linear feet of gutter, expect to have 6 downspurts.
- Vinyl: $6.50
- Aluminum: $7.00
- Steel: $11
- Copper: $17
Labor
We used an estimate of $10 per linear foot, however, this could range significantly depending on the service you use and where you live.
Gutter Cost Estimator
Gutter Material
When trying to determine which type of new gutter will be right for you, consider the material that your gutters are made of. Gutters come in a wide variety of options that have varying durability thresholds and appearances. Some materials are easier than others for DIYers to take on themselves, while other materials should only be left to professionals.
Copper Gutter
Without a doubt, copper gutters are the most beautiful option. The beautiful copper color will eventually fade to a soft patina, eliminating the need to paint these gutters. Plus, the copper material will not rust, making them a sound investment for your home that will last for years to come.
Unfortunately, though, copper gutter installation does come with a hefty price tag. Expect to pay between $12 and $25 per linear foot for this type of gutter material. These gutters are most commonly found in high-end homes or historic homes.
Vinyl Gutter
Vinyl is starting to grow in popularity for household items, including windows, doors, and even decking. Vinyl materials work well for gutters too. Vinyl gutters won’t rust over time but are not as strong and durable as other materials.
Vinyl gutter options are susceptible to fading and sun damage and will crack if you place a ladder against them. Plus, you cannot paint a vinyl gutter, and color options are rather limited. Vinyl gutters are not recommended for cold weather climates because the cold can cause them to crack.
But, vinyl gutters are lightweight and easy to work with for DIYers. They are easy to cut and install around your home, making them perfect for DIY homeowners to install. Plus, compared to other gutter material alternatives, vinyl gutters are extremely inexpensive, costing just about $1 or $2 per linear foot.
Zinc Gutter
Zinc gutter material may be hard to find, but it might be worth the investment. Zinc is a hard and durable material that will last for years on your home without rust or damage. Zinc does not need to be painted like other gutter options and will start to develop its patina over time.
Unfortunately, though, zinc is not a good option for DIYers because it is heavy and difficult to work with during installation. The installation requires the seams to be welded together, requiring special tools and special skills.
Zinc is long-lasting but also is extremely expensive. Expect to pay about $24 per linear foot to have a professional install your zinc gutters.
Aluminum Gutter
An aluminum gutter is the most common type of gutter material you will find. That is because this material is relatively inexpensive and is easy to work with for installation.
Usually, aluminum gutters are available in two different thicknesses, giving you options for installation. The material is durable, long-lasting, and is a heavy-duty material.
Aluminum gutters are easy to work with, making them a good option for people wanting to DIY their gutters. Plus, this material is extremely durable and is often recommended for homes in snowy regions.
Not only are aluminum gutters long-lasting, but they can also be painted, allowing homeowners to further customize their look. These gutters usually cost between $2 and $3 per linear foot.
Steel Gutter
Choosing a galvanized steel gutter for your next gutter installation is a smart investment. A steel gutter is strong, durable, and moderately long-lasting. A galvanized gutter can typically last between 5 and 10 years before rust starts to appear.
This gutter is a heavy-duty material that is thick and difficult to work with for installation. Often, galvanized gutter options are not recommended for DIYers because they are thick and heavy.
If you would like to opt for steel gutters, it may be best to hire a professional to help install the gutters. Expect to pay between $8 and $10 to have a professional install this type of gutter.
Gutter Styles
Once you have determined the type of material for your gutters, you must determine your style. Just as the materials offer different pros and cons, the styles available will also offer different pros and cons. Some styles come with added benefits or features designed to reduce ongoing maintenance, allowing your gutter installation to last even longer.
Seamless Gutter
A seamless gutter style is a popular option for many homes. This type of gutter is exactly as the name implies and is completely seamless.
A specialty gutter contractor will come to your house to install this type of gutter system. Usually, seamless gutters will be made of malleable and inexpensive aluminum materials.
Using a particular seamless gutter machine, professionals will mold the gutter material to the shape of a gutter onsite at your house. This process means that each gutter piece is custom-made to fit the exact length needed. Using seamless gutters has the obvious benefit of being long-lasting and durable.
A seamless gutter does not have individual segments that are prime areas for rust and mold to develop. Further, segmented gutters that are pieced together can be the perfect place for leaves to become lodged or damaging ice to form.
Seamless gutters, though, do have some downsides too. A seamless gutter is one continuous piece, so it is not possible to repair an individual section of the gutter.
If one part of the gutter system becomes damaged, it is necessary to remove the entire piece of the gutter and have it replaced. This process can make repairs on this particular type of rain gutter expensive.
Additionally, a seamless gutter requires a professional to run the gutter machine and install the gutters on your home. This added service means that these gutters will not be a good DIY project, ultimately costing more money for the creation and installation. Expect to pay about $5 per linear foot for a seamless gutter.
While this may seem expensive, it is about on par with the cost for segmented gutters. This cost is because seamless gutters do not require additional caulk, tools, glue, and materials to piece together the sections of the gutter.
Sectional Gutter
Compared to a seamless gutter, a sectional gutter is installed by placing individual pieces together to fill the sides of your home. This type of gutter system can be completed with any material and offers a safe, easy way for homeowners to install their own gutters with a weekend project. Sectional gutters are easy to work with and relatively straightforward to install.
One of the biggest perks of using a sectional gutter is that repairs are easy to tackle. Simply remove the gutter portion that has cracked or rusted and replace it with a new section of gutter. Compared to seamless gutters that require the entire gutter run to be replaced, sectional gutters allow you to pinpoint and target the exact repair location.
Of course, the downside to a sectional gutter system is that the various seams where the sections are pieced together can be a prime location for rust and leaks. Rainwater can easily penetrate these areas, which can cause the gutters to fail prematurely. Plus, the seams can make an easy target for ice, leaves, and debris to collect, further damaging your investment.
Sectional gutters may also require some additional supplies and tools to install this type of guttering system successfully. Expect to purchase some tools to cut and install the gutters and the necessary adhesives and caulk needed to section the channels together.
While it may seem like sectional gutters are cheaper than seamless gutters, the price comes out fairly comparable once the additional tools and supplies are included with the total cost. Homeowners can expect to pay about $5 per linear foot for sectional gutters.
Gutter Helmet
Gutter Helmet is a name brand of device that helps to reduce the needed gutter cleaning operations. This type of device works as a gutter cover that can help prevent leaves, dirt, and debris from being washed into the gutters. Leaves and dirt can lead to clogs and damages that can be expensive to repair.
The gutter guard comes complete with a cap that fits over the top of the gutter. The cap lies flush against the roof side of the installation and allows just a small area next to the outside of the gutter wall to allow the gutter system to breathe. Leaves and debris are trapped against the roof, while the water is free to collect and drain through the gutter and away from the house.
Of course, the benefit of this type of installation is that the leaves are collected and trapped at the roof edge, and they are not left to fill and clog your gutters. The downside of this system is that the leaves are left to sit against your roof. In heavy snow, or heavy, continuous rain, sitting leaves can be the perfect site for mold, moisture, and ice to accumulate.
Without removing the leaf debris from your roof, you can damage your roof or your gutters. Although Gutter Helmet advertises a maintenance-free alternative, you must watch these types of installations to ensure that leaves are not causing further damage resting against your roof.
K-Style Gutter
The K-Style gutter is probably the most common type of gutter style found on homes. The bottom of this gutter is flat, with a squared edge. The sides of the gutter then have a simple pattern that often looks like crown molding.
K-Style gutters are popular because they are easy to produce and work well to redirect rainwater away from your house. K-Style gutters are available in several materials making this a versatile gutter style.
Half Round Gutter
The half-round gutter is exactly how the name implies. The shape of the gutter appears to be half of a circle, rounded through the bottom. This gutter style is usually found in older homes and is an older style compared to modern shapes and gutter styles.
While this is a more senior-style option, it may be perfect for replacing the gutters on a historic home.
Gutter Cost
Determining your gutter installation cost can be difficult, especially with so many factors contributing to the overall price. Material, design, and style are all contributing factors that can quickly escalate a price for gutters. Three main factors that will influence the overall cost of a new gutter installation are the type of material used, the style of the gutter, and your home’s overall size.
Gutter installations and materials are usually measured by the linear foot. This measurement unit means that the longer you’re home, and consequently, the amount of needed gutter, the more expensive the installation and materials will be. To determine how many linear feet are required to complete your home, you must measure your house’s exterior where gutters must be installed.
The total perimeter of your house will help you determine the overall number of linear feet needed. Generally speaking, your gutter replacement will run about $10 per linear foot. Of course, this price will change based on the materials used, the particular professional, and any additions added to your gutter system.
Of course, a gutter cost estimator couldn’t be that simple. There are also very detailed calculations that must be considered when selecting the correct type of gutter for your home. Different roof slopes will determine how quickly water will drain off of the roof, and different gutter styles will be able to evacuate water from your roof and house at different rates.
If you really want to get technical choosing the proper gutters and calculating the overall cost, you must measure (or know) the average pitch of your roof. This factor will add a Roof Pitch Factor to the rate at which water drains away. Next, you must choose a K-Style or Half-Round style gutter, which drains at different speeds.
Lastly, consider your linear foot measurement to determine how much gutter length you will need. Usually, a professional will help with these calculations, but if you are a tried and true DIYer, there are gutter calculators online to help you determine your roof’s pitch and the rate of flow for the water.
Additional Costs
Many gutter installations require additional supplies and gutter parts, adding to the total cost besides simply measuring by the linear foot. These materials may be necessary to install the gutters or simply be added features to make your gutters last longer. Be sure to consider any additional costs when determining the overall cost for your gutter replacement project.
Downspout
Downspout installation is a necessary part of any gutter installation costs. A downspout works to help channel the flowing water down toward the ground. Downspouts can extend from the roof directly to the ground, or they can extend from one pitch of the roof to another, creating an easy path for the water to flow.
As a general rule, a downspout should be added about every 30 to 40 feet. Downspouts should also be added to any areas where the pitch of your roof changes, or intersects with another portion of the roofline.
More downspouts can be added to increase the amount of water that is draining away from your roof. This method can be an excellent way to help remove standing water from your roof.
A downspout will be added to the overall linear foot measurement and will be an additional part of your gutter installation cost. Assume that every downspout will add about $10 per linear foot. Downspouts can be installed by a professional while installing your gutters or installed by the homeowner if working through a DIY installation.
Gutter Guard
Adding a gutter guard is a great way to help keep your gutters in good working order. A gutter guard is a great way to reduce the need for gutter cleaning and help prevent leaves and debris from entering and clogging your gutters and downspouts. Gutter guard prices will change depending on the type of system.
Like Gutter Helmet, name brand operations can cost an additional $20 per linear foot and must be installed by a professional. Sometimes, simply adding an easy gutter screen is enough to catch the leaves. A system for your gutter installation using a screen will cost about $8 per linear foot.
Old Gutter Removal
If you are working with a gutter replacement, you must account for the old gutters that will be removed from your home. Removing the waste and disposing of the old gutter system may be an additional expense. Some gutter materials must be disposed of properly, which can add to your overall gutter installation price.
If you must hire a dumpster or professional to remove your old gutters, this too can add a hefty fee. Assume an additional $100 to remove and dispose of your old gutter system. This cost can be applied to either a professional service or the price to rent a dumpster to handle the additional waste.
FAQs
While a gutter system may seem easy to manage, there are several options, materials, and styles to choose from, making the process somewhat overwhelming. If you are thinking about replacing your current gutter system and are scratching your head, looking for a place to start, we are here to help. We have put together a list of the most commonly asked questions surrounding gutters and their installation cost to help point you in the right direction.
What impacts the cost of gutter installation?
Three main factors will impact the overall cost of your gutter installation. First, the material that you select for your gutters will change the overall cost. Vinyl gutters are the cheapest, at $1 to $2 per linear foot, but may not offer the right durability for colder climates.
Copper gutters are beautiful and long-lasting but are costly at $25 per linear foot. Many homeowners are comfortable in the middle price range, selecting aluminum gutters, typically around $3 per linear foot.
Next, the style of the gutter will change the cost for a new gutter installation. Styles can be seamless or sectional. Seamless gutters are one continuous piece that appears to cost more, at $7 per square foot, requiring a professional installation.
Sectional gutters also hover around $5 per square foot but can be installed by the homeowner. Consider too that the sectional gutter installation will require additional tools and materials to secure the gutters into place.
Lastly, the overall size of your home will dictate the cost to install new gutters. Typically, gutters and gutter supplies are measured by the linear foot. The larger your home and the more material required, the higher the cost your gutter installation will be.
What are common additional gutter installation costs?
At its core, a gutter installation is based on how many linear feet are needed to outfit your home fully. There are additional costs that must be factored into your gutter installation. Consider any additional features added to your gutters.
Commonly, people will add a gutter guard or gutter screen to their gutters. This device can help prevent leaves and debris from entering your gutters, potentially leading to clogs and damages. Depending on the system you choose, a gutter guard can add up to $20 per foot.
Further, the cost of materials and supplies will be added to your gutter installation cost. Supplies can include the necessary downspouts to channel water away from your home, the cost of caulk and adhesive for sectional gutters, or the cost to remove the old gutters away from your home after the new gutters are installed.
Are gutter guards a waste of money?
Gutter guards may be a great benefit to your home and well worth the money. Adding gutter guards is a great way to keep leaves and debris out of your gutters, which can lead to clogs and leaks. If you live in an area that is heavily wooded and has a great deal of leaf litter every year, gutter guards may be a sound investment.
Alternatively, living in a location that rarely has trees and has a relatively clean area surrounding the roof of your home may not require a guard. Gutter guards may be a waste of money for your particular application.
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