Gutter Cleaning

The average costs of a professional gutter cleaning $100 -$325

The average cost to hire a local professional will average about $100-$325, with some consumers spending over $500 or more. So choosing the right professional the first time is of the essence.

Like many outdoor maintenance projects, the more frequently gutters are cleaned, the faster and simpler the job is completed. Gutter cleaning contractors often assess a surcharge for clearing excessive amounts of debris, costing from $100 to $325 to clean gutters that are full of leaves and other materials.

Billing:

Flat Rate Per Job –  Most companies charge a flat rate for the work they do.

Recognize that there are several variables in developing the price. These include:

• Time that it takes to complete the cleaning.
• How many technicians are working on your project.
• With many more aspects that may add to the cost

Remember, the company quoting a low rate may not necessarily be the right  company for you. Some  companies may offer low hourly rates, but then charge additional “fees” to complete the job.

You may also need to consider that most  companies charge a higher rate for overtime, weekends, holidays and emergency calls.

The best rule of hand is to get an itemized estimate so you know exactly what is expected from the local company.

Determining Costs Of Gutter Cleaning

Square Footage 
The size of your home is one of the first components in determining the price of gutter cleaning.  The larger your home, the more time the job will take, and thus the more it will cost.

Style 
Whether your home is a ranch, a two-story, a three-story, etc. does make a difference in gutter cleaning pricing.  Taller homes require more time and more skill with ladders and ropes.

Pitch of the Roof
A flatter roof that can be walked on will be less expensive than a steep roof that requires the person cleaning the gutters to secure themselves with ropes and harnesses.

Roofing Material 
What type of roof is it? There are  instances in which a roof cannot be walked on because of the roofing material.  A house that has a roof that can be easily walked on will be priced lower than a roof that requires you to clean the gutters from a ladder.

Underground Drains
The cleaning of underground drains will typically take more time and will increase the price of your gutter cleaning.

Repairs  
Often times gutter system repairs can be taken care of at the time of the cleaning which is always recommended.

Amount of Debris
Excess debris and blockage will increase the length of time the job will take and may increase the price of gutter cleaning.

Commercial vs. Residential 
The cost of a commercial gutter cleaning is higher than residential.

Reasons To Hire A Gutter Cleaning Company

Over Flow Water Entering The House 
When the gutter is filled with debris, even minimal amount rain can cause overflow putting your home at risk of flooding. Flooding can damage the foundation of your property.

Debris
Block storm water drains and downpipes – this can be dangerous because you’ll have water stagnating. It also becomes much more expensive when you have to hire experts to unblock the drainpipes.

Pest Invasions 
Mosquitoes in particular thrive in stagnant water and is a great breeding ground for them. Clogged gutters are also an attraction for spiders, mice, cockroaches and other critters.

Gutter Deterioration
When debris stays in the gutter for a prolonged period of time, the gutter will deteriorate faster. Regular cleaning will help you save on repair and replacement expenses.

Questions To Ask A Gutter Cleaning Company

Insurance 
Look for a company that carries insurance. Look for general liability and workmen’s compensation insurance.

References 
Ask for a number of testimonials and references from previous clients that were satisfied with the work completed. You can also check the company’s online reputation.

Online Pricing
Gutter cleaning prices should be based on the square footage of your home, number of stories, and the roofing material. The larger and higher the home, the more your gutter cleaning will cost. The pitch of the roof and the amount of debris are also determining factors  in the price. On-line pricing will give you a good idea of what the cleaning will cost.

Specializing In Gutter Cleaning 
There are many companies that clean windows, pressure wash, provide lawn care services and then offer gutter cleaning for additional income. A gutter cleaning company that specializes in gutter cleaning will have the knowledge and proper training to do the job right the first time.

Experience
You want to work with a company who is established and will guarantee their work. A company with a long list of repeat clients is a good sign. A professional gutter cleaner will do their best to address every issue on the first visit.

Do you Flush Downspouts?
Flushing downspouts is an important part of gutter maintenance. Failure to clean the downspout can result in minimal benefit of overall gutter cleaning because the gutter will not function properly if the water in the gutter, though clean, has nowhere to go.

What do you do with the gutter debris after your take it out of our gutters? 
You company should bag all the debris and not just throw it on the ground.

What happens if you don’t clean your gutters?
If gutters are not properly cleaned a number of problems can arise which can cause damage to your home and be much more costly than regular gutter cleaning. Some issues that may arise include:

Damage to the foundation 
Water running down the side of your home and into your basement, or crawl spaces can cause cracking and movement in your foundation

Damage to roofing
As gutters that cannot drain water off properly cause water to back up onto your roof and roofing support structures and which might force you to go for a roof repair service too.

Damage to insulation and drywall
Improperly draining water seeps through cracks and crevices due to backed up gutters.

Damage to vinyl siding 
Water not draining correctly will  damage vinyl siding or loose the adhesive that hold the vinyl siding together.

Poor drainage 
Puddles and standing water can ruin your lawn and create a muddy mess. Water can erode concrete, walkways and plant beds.

Ask For The License – Ask for all local and state business licenses.

Proof Of Insurance– For your own protection, check proof of both workman’s compensation and  liability Insurance.

Business Stability– Find out how long the company has been in business.

Check Online Reviews – You’re probably not the first person in town looking for their services. Rely on the internet to get reviews written by people in your community.

References – Expect any top-notch company to be able to provide you with references upon request. Once you have these names, contact the clients to get information about the quality service. When you call, ask questions about the work, timeliness, cost and whether the clients would use the company again for future work.

24-hour Emergency Service – Make sure your local company offers emergency 24 hour service. If something goes wrong, it’s good to know that you will not have to wait days for them to come  out and fix it.

Over The Phone Pricing –  Honest estimates simply cannot be given over the phone – especially if you aren’t talking with an actual technician when you call.

Free Estimates – Most companies offer free estimates. This is important because they can provide you with the costs upfront, so that you are not shocked with a bill after the services are completed.

Safety Record – Safety can be a significant factor, so ask the company about their safety records to ensure that any service professional you hire has a satisfactory safety record. You want a company that doesn’t have a high incidence of on-the-job mishaps or injuries.

Building Codes– In certain areas you’ll need to make sure that the local company meets all building code requirements.

Satisfaction Guarantee – Choosing a company that offers a satisfaction guarantee will ensure that they will get the job done right the first time and will save you money and frustration in the long run.

Cleanup – The mess left behind after a project can be major. Ask what cleanup work the company includes with it’s services.