2023 Cost Of Gutter Installation

No roofing system is complete and safe from water leaks without high quality gutters.

When it comes to gutter installation, there are a number of materials to choose from depending on your needs, aesthetic preferences and budget.

The average cost of installing new gutters is $10-12 per sq. ft. including professional labor.

To get started on your gutter install, contact your local pros for FREE ESTIMATES!

How Much Does It Cost To Install Gutters?

On average you can expect to spend $1,500 – 2,650 to install 200 ln.ft. of gutters. The total cost of gutter installation greatly depends on the type of gutter material you select.

For example, you can install 200 ln.ft. of the cheapest vinyl gutters for as little as $600-750.

The most popular chose among homeowners who are looking for good quality gutters is to install seamless aluminum gutters, which cost around $1800-2,000 for 200 ln.ft.

Copper gutters is the high-end choice, costing over $3,500+ for 200 ln.ft. of gutters.

You can use our Gutter Installation Cost Calculator to estimate the price for installing gutters on your home.

Installing Seamed Vs Sectional Gutters

A seamed gutter is sold in pieces and installed as component systems, usually in specific lengths of 5-, 10-, or 20 feet.

The sections can be over 20 feet long or cut to any size with a hacksaw. They fit together with snap-on connector pieces that join the gutter sections to one another and to the downspouts.

All seamed sectional gutter systems have end caps, corner pieces and drop outlets for connecting downspouts.

The drawback to seamed gutters is that all of those seams can eventually leak. The seams require gutter sealant which usually has to be reapplied as part of regular maintenance.

Seamed copper or steel gutters are soldered together at the seams and do not need a sealant. Seamed gutters are slightly less expensive to purchase but may cost more to install because more labor is needed to cut and piece the sections.

Seamless gutters are the most popular gutter type since they won’t leak at the seams. They are extruded to custom lengths on site so they fit the exact length of the roofline.

For this reason, they must be installed by a contractor. Since these gutters are one long smooth piece, there are fewer places where leaves and twigs can get caught and cause blockages.

The only seams are at the downspouts and corners, meaning the length of the gutter is seamless. While these gutters require caulking at the downspouts and corners to avoid leaks, they provide a better appearance and fewer leaks overall.

They are also faster and easier to install, going up in long sections.

Seamless gutters cost a little more for the material compared to sectional gutters, but the labor is usually less.

The costs often even out unless you are installing the gutters yourself. In this case, sectional gutters will be cheaper since you are purchasing and installing on your own.

Proper Gutter Installation Is Important For Drainage

Gutter installation should follow a couple of basic rules. Gutters must be pitched so water will flow to the downspouts. The rule of thumb for this slope is a vertical 1/2-inch for every 10 feet of horizontal length.

If the length is more than 35 feet, some installers recommend putting the high point of the system in the middle and sloping the gutter downward in both directions to downspouts on both ends. Water exiting the downspout must always be directed away from the foundation.

Common Gutter Sizes

When choosing the size of a gutter system, a homeowner must consider the area’s rainfall density. This information can usually be found on gutter supply websites.

A home that gets a lot of rain or has a steep roof pitch should have a larger gutter system. If there are tall trees around a house, it will also need a larger system to accommodate falling leaves without clogging.

Gutter channels are available in 4-, 5- or 6-in. diameters. Downspout sizes can either be rectangular and either 2”x3” or 3”X4” or round pipes that are 3” or 4” in diameter.

The primary cause of gutters not working is not the size but the improper maintenance. Screens and filters are meant to keep debris out of the gutters but do eventually clog and get dirty. Gutter covers must be cleaned and maintained as well as the gutters themselves.

Gutter Sizing For Water Capacity Based On Roof Pitch

The table below provides guidelines for sizing your gutters depending on the roof pitch you have.

These number estimates are based on the assumptions that the Max Roof Pitch is 6/12, that there are No Obstructions into gutter and that the Recommended Slope is no greater than 1/16″ per square foot.

Gutter Type	Upto 6/12	7/12	8/12	9/12	10/12	11/12	12/12
5″K Style	22	20.79	18.71	16.84	16.17	15.28	14.05
6″K Style	34	32.13	28.92	26.03	24.98	23.61	21.72
7″K Style	48	45.36	40.82	36.74	35.27	33.33	30.67
4″Box	18	17.01	15.31	13.78	13.23	12.5	11.5
5″Box	26	24.57	22.11	19.9	19.11	18.05	16.61
6″Box	40	37.8	4.02	30.62	29.39	27.78	25.55
7″Box	52	49.14	44.23	39.8	38.21	36.11	33.22
8″Box	60	56.7	51.03	45.93	44.09	41.66	38.33

Gutter Downspout Capacity Options

The table below assumes proper pitch and no obstructions or turns. Reduce by 10% per 90 degree turn.

Downspout Size	Maximum Area of Roof Draining to One Downspout
2×3″	400 Sq. Ft.
3×4″	650 Sq. Ft.
4×5″	1,000 Sq. Ft.
3″ Round	450 Sq. Ft.
4″ Round	700 Sq. Ft.
5″ Round	1,200 Sq. Ft.

Gutter Shapes

Homeowners will have two main gutter shapes to choose from: Half-Round and K-Style. A smaller K-Style gutter will drain the same amount of water as a larger Half-Round gutter.

Half-Round (also called U-shape) gutters are typically considered a traditional shape, as this was the original gutter shape dating back to the early 1900’s. K-Style gutters didn’t emerge as an option until around the 1950s.

Downspouts generally come in round or rectangular shapes.

Should I Get Oversized Rain Gutters?

Although 5-inch gutters are considered to be the standard size for residential applications, seamless gutters, oversized, 6-inch commercial gutters are available to homeowners. Although a 6-inch gutter is only one inch bigger, it can handle 40% more water.

The oversized downspout installed with these gutters can also handle more debris passing through them.
The most basic factor in choosing oversized gutters is the size of your roof and the pitch.

The steeper the pitch, the faster the water runs down it.

Metal roofs also shed water at a much faster rate than an asphalt roof.

Complex roof lines, where there are valleys and areas where large amounts of water can collect may also benefit from an oversized gutter.

Half-Round gutters are shallower than K-Style gutters so a 6-inch gutter may be preferable. Other times when a 6-inch gutter can be recommended is if the gutter is over 40-feet long and can only accommodate one downspout, or if there are upper gutters that drain into lower gutters.

Signs That It’s Time To Install New Gutters

You might not be sure just how old the gutters are in your home. It can be difficult to tell when to replace the gutters because they wear out so gradually.

However, to help prevent roof damage, water leaks, rot and more, it’s important to replace your gutters before they fall completely into disrepair.

Watch for these signs:

Gutter sections coming loose
Widespread visible rust
Holes or cracks in the gutters
Gaps between gutter connections and fascia boards
Nails lying on the ground that came loose from the gutters
Broken fasteners
Mold or water stains on the siding
Pooling water near your home after a downpour
Water channels or washed-out sections of landscaping

Tips to Prolong the Service Life of Your Gutters

Twice a year, in the Spring and Fall signs pop up everywhere advertising gutter cleaning services. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, cleaning out your gutters is a maintenance chore you don’t want to overlook.

When rain and melting snow can’t drain properly the water overflows the sides of the gutters. As it runs down the walls of your house it can seep in along the windows and walls. Hundreds of gallons of rain water dumped along the foundation of your house can also lead to a wet basement.

When you keep your gutter system working well you can avoid a lot of headaches and expense. Gutters can last much longer with these maintenance tips:

-Clean gutters twice a year, once in the Fall after all the leaves are off the trees and again in the Spring.

-Don’t lean a ladder against the gutters when cleaning them. This may cause dents in the aluminum or cause the gutters to pull away from their fasteners.

-Avoid using abrasive chemicals if you power wash your house, including bleach, because this can eat away at the gutters.

-Apply sealant to the corners every five years.

-Hire a good gutter company to perform maintenance and repair for you.

Questions To Ask Your Gutter Pro

To help you decide on the right contractor, here are some questions you can ask to see whether they’re qualified to do the best job:

What Types of Gutter Styles Do You Offer?

The more committed a company is to the guttering business, the more variety of styles and colors they’ll have available – which is a good sign.

What Type of Seams Do You Use On Joints?

There are three kinds of gutter seams that are generally used:

Box Miter

This type is a pre-shaped corner with three seams for each corner. They’re often used because they’re cheap, and don’t require an expert to install.

Strip Miter

The “Strip Miter” forms a seam in the corners held together using a thin strip of aluminum. This type is inexpensive to produce and creates two seams for each corner.

Custom Hand Mitered

An experienced gutter installer crafts one seam for each corner. It fits tightly together, it’s stronger and lasts longer than the other types.

What Technique Will You Use to Secure the Gutters?

The gutters can be fastened to your home with nails (spikes) or screws.

Using nails is a more traditional technique. The nail penetrates the gutter’s exterior, goes through the interior, and fastens to the fascia board and rafter.

Over time, nails are inclined to fall out due to the rainfall causing the gutter to sag and separate from the property.

Screws on the other hand are more reliable as they don’t fall out over time or rust.

Pro Tip: Ensure that the screws are over 2 ½ inches “long-form” screws. Some companies cut corners by using shorter screws to save on cordless drill batteries and labor.

But it won’t hold to anything other than the fascia, which isn’t meant to completely support the gutter.

Will Your Work Affect My Roof Warranty?

Be sure to get a definitive answer to this question. There have been cases where gutter replacements have disturbed the roofline, then, when a later roof issue arises, the homeowner discovers that their warranties are void.

How Long Will the Gutter Installation Take to Complete?

Typically, gutter installations can be completed in one day. However, find out what the procedure is for rescheduling should extreme weather prevent progress.

Can I Have the Gutter Cost Estimate in Writing?

A trustworthy contractor will be able to give you a detailed estimate of specifically the materials needed and the labor costs. If they say no, find another contractor.

What Is Your Warranty for Your Labor and Materials?

Find a contractor who will back his work. Don’t settle for the manufacturer’s warranty on the gutters themselves.

Are Your Installers Full-Time Employees?

Verify whether the installers are subcontractors or full-time employees.

Most installation companies use subcontractors. This setup can cause problems for you since you’ll be in between the relationship of the gutter company and their subcontractor.

Therefore, if there is a problem, you’ll need to work with two companies instead of one to resolve it and get the job completed to your satisfaction.

It’s better to work with a company that has its own full-time employees. That way, there will be no complication or confusion when it comes down to ultimate responsibility.

Full-time gutter installers are typically committed to one line of work and considered to be more craftsmen as opposed to laborers.

Do You Have Insurance and Appropriate Licenses?

The contractor must protect you from financial exposure should a worker injure themselves on your property.

The company should be able to provide you with documentation to verify their employees are insured. This will give you peace of mind that you’re working with a company that has liability insurance and workmen’s compensation to cover your home and their employees.

Do You Have References?

Established gutter installers should be able to provide you with references from previous jobs. You can also check out customer reviews online.