What the job involves
Gutter cleaning means clearing leaves, moss, silt, roof grit and general debris from the gutters, then making sure the water runs freely through the outlets and down the downpipes. On a typical house, the cleaner removes the build-up by hand or with a vacuum system, flushes the gutters through with water, and checks that the downpipes are not blocked at the top or the bottom.
There are two main ways of doing it. The traditional method is a ladder or a tower, with the cleaner scooping out the debris by hand. The other is a vacuum system on a long pole, which lets the operator clear gutters from the ground, often with a camera on the end of the pole so they can see what they are doing. Both work. Which suits your house depends mostly on height, access and how bad the blockage is.
A proper job is more than removing the top layer of leaves. The cleaner should look at the joints, the brackets and the fall of the gutter, and tell you if anything is leaking, sagging or cracked. Cleaning is not repair, though. If the gutters need re-aligning, resealing or replacing, that is a separate job and should be quoted separately.
What affects the price
No two houses are the same, which is why prices vary. These are the things that move the cost up or down:
- Height of the house. A bungalow can usually be done from a short ladder. A three-storey house needs longer ladders, a tower or a pole system, and takes more time and care.
- Length of guttering. A detached house has far more gutter than a mid-terrace. More run means more time and more debris to deal with.
- How blocked the gutters are. Gutters cleared every year take less effort than ones that have not been touched for a decade and are full of compacted soil with plants growing in it.
- Trees nearby. Overhanging oak, sycamore or conifers fill gutters quickly and can mean heavier, wetter debris. That means slower work and more waste.
- Access. Narrow side passages, conservatories, extensions, garden walls, steep ground or parked cars all make it harder to place ladders and equipment safely.
- Downpipes and drains. If the downpipes are blocked, or the debris has gone into the drain below, extra work is needed. Clearing a drain is a different trade and may be charged separately.
- Method used. Vacuum systems need specialist kit, which can be reflected in the price. Ladder work may be cheaper for a simple job but slower for a large one.
- Extras. Fascia and soffit cleaning, gutter-face cleaning, moss removal from the roof, or minor repairs add to the total.
- Waste removal. Some cleaners bag and take the debris away. Others leave it in your garden bags or on the ground for you to deal with.
- Your location and the time of year. Prices differ between regions, and autumn is busy, so availability can affect what you are charged.
The prices on this page show what other homeowners paid for similar work, which is a better guide than any general rule of thumb.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Clean regularly. A light annual clear is quicker and cheaper than a major clear-out after years of neglect. If you have overhanging trees, you may need it more often.
- Bundle jobs. If you also want windows, fascias or soffits cleaned, a firm that does all of it may reduce the total compared with separate visits.
- Make access easy. Move cars, bins and garden furniture, unlock side gates, and tell the cleaner about any pets or hazards.
- Book outside the rush. Late autumn is the peak. Booking in early autumn or in spring, when you can, often gives you more choice of dates.
- Get several quotes. Three is a sensible number. Make sure each is for the same scope so you are comparing like with like.
- Agree the scope up front. Tell the cleaner exactly which gutters, downpipes and outbuildings you want included, such as the garage, porch or extension.
- Do not skip the small fixes. A leaking joint caught early is cheap to deal with. Left alone, it can cause damp, stained walls and rotten fascias, which cost much more.
- Consider guards carefully. Gutter guards can reduce the amount of debris, but they do not suit every roof and still need checking. Do not assume they remove the need for cleaning.
What should be included in a quote
A written quote should be clear enough that you know exactly what you are paying for. Look for:
- [ ] Your name, address and the date of the quote
- [ ] The company or trader's name, address and contact details
- [ ] Which gutters and downpipes are included, and whether outbuildings, extensions and conservatories are covered
- [ ] The method to be used, such as ladders, tower or vacuum pole
- [ ] Whether the gutters will be flushed with water afterwards to test the flow
- [ ] Whether downpipes will be checked and cleared
- [ ] What happens to the debris, and whether it is taken away
- [ ] Whether VAT is included, if the business is VAT registered
- [ ] A statement on whether a report or photos of the condition will be provided
- [ ] How any repairs found would be handled and charged
- [ ] Proof of public liability insurance
- [ ] Payment terms, and when you are expected to pay
- [ ] The date of the work and how long the quote stays valid
Questions to ask a roofer
Many gutter cleaners are not roofers, but if you ask a roofer or a general builder to do it, these questions still apply.
- Are you insured for work at height, and can I see the certificate?
- How will you reach the gutters, and will you need to put anything on my property?
- Will you clear the downpipes as well, and how will you check they are running freely?
- What will you do if you find damaged or leaking sections?
- Will you take the debris away, or leave it with me?
- Can you send photos before and after, especially of the areas I cannot see from the ground?
- Is the price fixed, or could it change on the day? What would cause a change?
- If it rains on the day, how do you handle rebooking?
- Do you have recent customers I can contact, or reviews I can read?
How long it takes and what to expect
For a typical house, the work is usually done in a single visit. A small, accessible property can take a short time, while a large detached house with a lot of guttering and trees nearby takes longer. Heavily blocked gutters also take longer than the same house kept in good order.
On the day, the cleaner will set up ladders or equipment, clear the gutters in sections, bag the waste, then flush the system with water. You do not usually need to be at home, as long as access to the outside of the house is clear. It is worth being there at the end, though, so you can see the photos and ask about anything they found.
Expect some mess. Wet debris can splash walls, paths and windows, and a good cleaner will tidy up. Cleaning does not fix leaking joints or sagging gutters, so ask for a note of any problems rather than assuming everything is sound.
Signs a quote is too cheap or too expensive
Possibly too cheap
- The price is far below the others, and nobody can explain why.
- There is no mention of insurance, or the trader dodges the question.
- The trader says they will do it "from the ground" or "quickly" but cannot say how.
- No written quote, no address and no landline or business details.
- Cash only, with pressure to pay in advance.
- No promise to clear downpipes or test the flow.
Possibly too expensive
- The price is much higher than the others for the same scope, with no clear reason such as height, access or heavy blockage.
- The quote is vague, with a single lump sum and no breakdown.
- Extras are included that you did not ask for, such as roof treatments or gutter replacement.
- You are told the job is urgent and must be agreed on the spot.
- Repairs are being suggested before any evidence is shown to you.
Compare any quote with the prices on this page, and ask the trader to explain anything that looks out of line. A good tradesperson will be happy to do so.