How much does gutter cleaning cost?

The cost of gutter cleaning depends mostly on the size and height of your house, how much guttering there is, how easy it is to reach and how blocked it has become. Because those things change from one property to the next, the only reliable figure is a quote for your own house, and AbraClean quotes for free.

This guide explains what pushes the price up or down, so you can compare quotes fairly and know what a proper job should include.

What affects the price

• Height. A bungalow is quicker and simpler than a two or three storey house, and the higher the gutters the more care and setting up the job takes.
• Length of guttering. A detached house with gutters on every side has more to clear than a mid terrace with a front and a back run.
• Access. Conservatories, extensions, flat roofs, narrow side passages and sloping gardens all slow the job down. Plenty of Torbay houses sit on a hill, and that affects where a ladder can safely stand.
• How blocked it is. A gutter cleared every year is quick. One that has been left for years can be packed with moss, silt and even small plants.
• Downpipes. A blocked downpipe or a gully at the bottom adds time.
• Extras. Washing the fascias, soffits and downpipes at the same visit is extra work, so mention it when you ask for a quote.

What a proper gutter clear includes

Two quotes can look very different because they are not for the same job. When you compare them, ask what is included. At AbraClean the job is:

• Gutters cleared by hand from ladders, with leaves, moss and debris taken out
• The full run cleared, not just the obvious blockage
• Downpipes checked so rainwater can flow away properly
• Ladders positioned carefully so the gutter and fascia are not damaged
• You are told what came out and shown any damage or sections that may need more attention

Some firms use a vacuum pole with a camera from the ground instead. Either way, ask whether the downpipes are checked and whether you will be shown the result.

What happens if you leave it

Blocked gutters overflow. In Devon the usual culprits are leaves, moss washed off the roof and gull nesting material. When the water cannot get away it spills over the front or backs up behind the gutter, and that is when you start to see:

• Damp patches on internal walls
• Rotten fascia boards
• Water running down and staining the render
• Green streaks and algae on the walls below

Any one of those usually costs more to put right than a regular gutter clear.

How often to have gutters cleared

Once a year suits most houses. Twice a year makes sense if you have trees overhanging the roof, pines nearby, or gulls that nest on the roof. Autumn is the usual time, after the leaves have dropped and before the winter rain.

Booking at the same time every year tends to keep each visit quick. A gutter cleared every year never gets to the packed solid stage.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Have it done regularly rather than waiting for an overflow
• Book gutters at the same visit as your window clean
• Ask for fascia and soffit washing on the same day rather than a second trip
• Mention conservatories, extensions and awkward access when you ask for a quote so the price is right first time

Questions to ask before you book

A cheap quote is only good value if the job gets done properly. Before you book anyone, it is worth asking:

• Are you insured for working at height on my property?
• Do you clear the gutters by hand or with a vacuum, and do you clear the whole run?
• Will you check that the downpipes are flowing?
• Will you show me what came out, or send photos, and tell me about any damage you spot?
• Is anything left behind, such as debris on the patio or in the borders?
• Can you do the fascias, soffits or windows on the same visit?

Clear answers to those questions tell you far more about a gutter cleaner than the price alone.

Gutter clearing in Torbay and Exeter

AbraClean clears gutters across Torbay, South Devon and Exeter and is fully insured. See our gutter clearing service and the option to add cladding, fascia and render cleaning, or find your town, including Paignton and Torquay. Call or text Mark on 07901 563000 with your postcode for a free quote.