How Much Does Gutter Installation Really Cost? What You Need to Know

Gutters trim the house's fascia, and some gutters, such as zinc or copper, are attractive additions to the home. The main purpose of gutters, though, is to collect water from the roof and channel it away from the foundation, protecting the home's stability and keeping it dry.

Gutter installation costs an average of $2,330, beginning at a low average of $1,160 and ranging to a high average of $3,500.

Cost of Gutters by Linear Foot

The most convenient and accurate way to estimate gutter installation costs is by linear foot. Gutter installation costs an average of $9 per linear foot. Installation costs start at a low of $5 and range up to a high of $13 per linear foot.

To estimate gutter linear feet, you don't need to go on the roof or mount a ladder. Measure the length of each section of the home's perimeter on the ground. Add the sections together for the total linear footage. Multiply the linear footage by the average cost of gutter installation.

Cost of Gutters by Material

The type of gutter material is a major factor in the overall gutter installation cost. Vinyl is the cheapest material, while copper is the most expensive, costing up to five times more than vinyl.

Vinyl

Vinyl or PVC gutters cost an average of $6 per linear foot. On the low end, vinyl gutters cost $4 per foot, and on the high end cost $8 per foot.

Vinyl gutters never need to be painted and are easy to maintain. However, vinyl gutters are heavier than aluminum gutters, making them more prone to tearing out when they are heavily loaded with leaves and debris.

Aluminum

Aluminum gutters start at a low of $6 per linear foot and range up to $13 per linear foot. The average cost of aluminum gutters is $9 per foot.

Aluminum gutters are lightweight and easy to install. They do not rust. However, they dent easily and can even crack in temperature extremes.

Galvanized Steel

The average cost of steel gutters is $12 per linear foot. Steel gutters range in cost from $8 to $16 per linear foot.

Steel gutters are extremely durable because the metal is thick and heavy. However, they are also more difficult to install and usually require a professional to solder the joints. Steel gutters are a good long-term choice.

Zinc

Zinc gutters cost an average of $21 per linear foot. On the low end, zinc gutters cost $14 per foot and on the high end cost $28 per foot.

Zinc gutters are low maintenance as they do not rust and have a surface that naturally resists scratches and cracking.

Copper

Copper gutters start at $24 per linear foot and range up to $36 per linear foot, for an average cost of $30 per foot.

Copper gutters are considered to be premium gutters that grace traditional and classic-style homes. They're also very durable, with lifespans as long as four to five decades.

Cost of Gutters by Style

Half-Round

Half-round style gutters start at a low of $7 per foot and range up to $25 per foot, for an average cost of $16 per linear foot.

Due to their rounded base, half-round gutters, sometimes called U-style gutters, excel at moving water and debris. Many older homes have half-round gutters. This style is more difficult to find and may not be allowed by local code, so check with your local permitting agency before installing.

K-Style

K-style gutters cost an average of $15 per linear foot. K-style gutters start at a low of $4 per foot and range to a high of $25 per foot.

K-style gutters are so named because the profile looks roughly like the letter K. The bottom is flat and the front is faceted to give the gutters a more attractive appearance than a simple flat front.

K-style gutters are also easily found in home centers, so they lend themselves well to do-it-yourself installation.

Other Gutter Cost Factors

Downspouts

Downspouts for a gutter system cost an average of $11 per linear vertical foot. Some downspouts cost as little as $4 per linear foot, and upper-end downspouts cost up to $70 per foot.

Downspouts are an essential component of the gutter system. Gutters cannot operate without downspouts to carry the roof water down to ground level and away from the foundation.

Downspouts are located around every 35 feet, maximum, though more downspouts ensure that the gutters will not become overburdened during heavy rain flows.

Tip

Downspout extensions, connected to the base of the downspouts, move the water an additional three to five feet laterally along the ground, away from the house foundation.

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards, or gutter protection, cost an average of $5 per linear foot. Some gutter guards cost as little as $2 per foot, while other gutter guards cost up to $8 per foot.

Gutter guards are mounted on top of the gutters and reduce the amount of leaves, twigs, and shingle debris that enters them.

Few, if any, gutter guard systems prevent all debris from entering the gutters, but they do help keep them cleaner and reduce cleaning activities.

Tip

While you can always add gutter guards at any point, it's often less expensive and easiest to install them when the gutters are installed.

Height

One-story gutters cost less to install than two-story gutters. Two-story gutters can cost up to 80-percent more to install than one-story gutters.

The need to carry and set up taller ladders, along with the chance of additional risk, means that most gutter installers will charge more to install gutters on these higher levels. Two-story gutters also require longer downspouts.

Removing Old Gutters

The cost to remove old gutters averages $2 per linear foot.

If the house currently has gutters, they will be removed and disposed of to make way for the new gutters. Some existing gutters, such as aluminum or copper, can be recycled.

Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters Cost

Seamless gutters cost an average of $19 per linear foot, while sectional gutters cost an average of $14 per linear foot.

Seamless gutters are made from large coils of flat metal that are run through an extruding machine to form the metal into a gutter shape. Because this metal can be several hundred feet long, seamless gutters can be fabricated to any length. Seamless gutters can run from end to end of a house without a break.

Seamless gutters look better and perform better than sectional gutters, made from pre-cut lengths ranging from five to 15 feet. Sectional gutters can leak at the seams, and leaves and debris can become caught on them. 

Tip

One advantage of sectional gutters is that they are DIY-friendly. While do-it-yourselfers cannot fabricate seamless gutters, they can easily purchase sectional gutters from any home center.

How to Know When Gutters Need to be Replaced

You'll know it's time to install new gutters when you see any of the following:

• Standing water: Water standing in the gutters indicates that the gutters are no longer inclined properly and either need to be repaired or replaced.

• Gaps: Gaps between sections of sectional or seamless gutters can be repaired. However, leaking gutters with large gaps often indicate that they need to be replaced.

• Cracks; Cracks in the material of the gutter are difficult to repair when the cracks become extensive.

• Sagging gutters: Sagging gutters need to be replaced. Gutters that have sagged are usually warped or bent, so they are no longer usable.

How to Extend the Life of Your Gutters

Keep your gutters in top shape and extend their life with these simple maintenance tips:

• Keep the gutters clean and empty to prevent overburdening the gutters with water and debris.

• Inspect the gutters frequently, either from the ground or a ladder, especially when water is flowing through the gutters.

• Check for water flow by running a hose into clean gutters and watching while standing on a ladder.

• Tighten any loose gutters against the fascia to prevent water from flowing over the rim of the gutters.

• Add gutter guards to the tops of the gutters to keep the gutters as clean as possible and to reduce the frequency of cleaning.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Gutter Installation

Gutter installation is DIY-friendly, especially with one-story homes. Six-foot step ladders can be used with one-story installations, as opposed to a more elaborate system of extension ladders and platforms required for upper levels.

Aluminum K-style gutters cost $13 to $15 per 10-foot section, while vinyl gutters of the same size cost $7 to $10 per 10-foot section.

How to Save Money on Gutter Installation

Save on the cost of gutter installation with these tips:

• Install gutters yourself if you are experienced at exterior home remodeling, particularly if yours is a smaller, one-story home.

• If you have a professional install your gutters, get at least three quotes from gutter installation contractors.

• Use less expensive gutter materials like aluminum or vinyl rather than premium materials like zinc or copper.

• Look for a labor and materials warranty and ensure that it lasts at least five years so that the installer, not you, will bear the cost of the repairs in the early years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 200 linear feet of gutters?

On average, 200 linear feet of gutters costs about $1,800. The cost of gutter installation can vary according to the type of material, style of gutter, height of the gutters, and number of downspouts installed.

Are gutters worth the money?

Gutters are definitely worth the money as long as they are reasonably priced. They save your home from costly long-term foundation repair issues.

Do you need gutters around the whole house?

It may not be necessary to install gutters over areas of hardscaping that are well-sloped away from the house. However, it's generally safest to install gutters around the whole house to ensure maximum protection.

Read Next: How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost?

Read the original article on The Spruce.