The average gutter cleaning cost on LawnGuru is $198, and most jobs land between $107 and $325. Where you fall in that range comes down to three things: how many linear feet of gutter you have, how high off the ground they sit, and how packed they are when the crew shows up.
The confusing part is that every cost guide publishes a different number. One says $160, another $233, a third quotes per foot. They aren’t wrong, they’re measuring different things: some report whole-job averages, some post per-foot rates before minimums, and some only price the first floor. This guide lines those numbers up so you can check a quote against them.
Quick Answer: Gutter cleaning costs $107 to $325 per visit, with a LawnGuru average of $198. Published per-foot rates run about $1.10 to $2.30 per linear foot for a single-story home, with companies adding roughly 25% for two stories and 50% for three. Many crews charge a minimum around $200 regardless of footage. At the twice-a-year cleaning that West Virginia University Extension recommends, budget about $400 a year.
Average Gutter Cleaning Cost in 2026
Here’s what the sources that publish real numbers say, side by side.
| Source | What it reports | Number |
|---|---|---|
| LawnGuru marketplace jobs | Whole-job average and normal range | $198 average, $107 to $325 |
| Homewyse cost calculator | First-floor gutters, per foot | $1.12 to $1.36 per linear foot |
| Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning (national) | Single-story per foot, plus minimum | $1.40 to $2.30 per foot, $215 minimum |
| Window Genie | Whole-job, 150 ft single-story | $70 to $200 |
| Forbes data (cited by Leafguard) | National per-foot average | About $0.80 per foot, around $160 for 200 ft |
The spread between sources is wider than the spread inside any one of them. That tells you local labor rates and each company’s minimum charge drive the final price more than footage alone.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Gutter Cleaning?
For a typical single-story house with 150 to 200 feet of gutter in average condition, expect a quote close to $200. A two-story house of the same footprint usually runs $250 to $400. If your gutters haven’t been touched in two or three years and are full of packed sludge or seedlings, expect the top of the range or a little over.
Gutter Cleaning Cost by Linear Foot and Number of Stories
Height is the single biggest multiplier. Taller rooflines mean longer ladders, more setup time, and sometimes a second worker to stabilize the ladder. Clean Pro publishes its premium openly: 25% more for two stories and 50% more for three. Window Genie adds $75 to $200 for a three-story home.
Applying those premiums to the published single-story band gives a planning table:
| Gutter length | Single-story | Two-story (+25%) | Three-story (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $110 to $230 | $140 to $290 | $165 to $345 |
| 150 ft | $165 to $345 | $205 to $430 | $250 to $520 |
| 200 ft | $220 to $460 | $275 to $575 | $330 to $690 |
Planning math: Homewyse’s low rate to Clean Pro’s high rate, with Clean Pro’s story premiums. Minimum charges apply to the smaller jobs.
SimplyWise’s worked example uses 180 feet for a single-story house, which is a fair midpoint. To measure yours, walk the perimeter at the roofline and add up each run; gutters on a lower roof section are priced at the lower height, not the tallest point of the house.
Why Small Jobs Hit a Minimum Charge
This is where a lot of homeowners get surprised. If you have 80 feet of gutter on a small ranch, the per-foot math says $90 to $180. The invoice may still say $200.
Crews charge a minimum to cover the drive, the ladder setup, insurance, and the fact that one stop eats a slot in the day no matter how short the gutters are. Clean Pro posts a $215 minimum and says jobs under about 125 linear feet usually fall under it. Homewyse builds a two-hour labor minimum into its estimate.
So on a small house, the minimum charge is your real price, and comparing per-foot rates won’t help much. Ask each company for its minimum up front.
Gutter Cleaning Cost Factors
Beyond length and height, these push a quote up or down:
- Debris load. Gutters under pines or oaks fill faster and pack denser than gutters on an open lot. Wet, rotted debris takes longer to scoop and bag.
- Time since the last cleaning. A routine seasonal clean is quick. Gutters with years of sludge, weeds, or seedlings rooted in them are a different job.
- Roof pitch. On a low-slope roof, some crews work from the roof edge. A steep roof forces ladder work at every section, which takes longer.
- Access. Landscaping beds, a pool enclosure, or a sloped lot under the gutters slow setup.
- Gutter type. One-piece gutters formed on site have fewer joints for debris to catch on than sectional, seamed gutters, so they tend to clean faster.
- Season. Spring and fall are peak season. Ask whether a company offers off-peak scheduling in early summer or early winter.
What’s Included in a Gutter Cleaning: Downspouts, Debris, and Extras
A standard visit should include scooping debris out of every gutter run, flushing the gutters with water, and confirming the downspouts drain. LawnGuru providers remove leaves, twigs, and debris from both gutters and downspouts as part of a normal request.
Things that often cost extra:
- Clearing badly clogged downspouts. Leafguard, citing Forbes data, puts downspout cleaning at an added $50 to $100 when it isn’t part of the base quote.
- Removing and refitting gutter guards. Clean Pro adds $50 to $150 for this.
- Hauling debris away instead of leaving it bagged at the curb.
- Repairs. Resealing leaking seams, re-hanging a sagging section, or replacing a downspout elbow is repair work, priced separately.
Before you book, ask two questions: are the downspouts flushed, and where does the debris go?
How Often Should a Gutter Be Cleaned?
West Virginia University Extension says rain gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, and more often if your house sees frequent severe storms. NC State Extension adds a yearly inspection plus a check after any major weather event.
In practice, that means late spring after trees finish dropping seeds and flowers, and late fall after the leaves are down. Homes under pine trees often need a third or fourth visit, since needles drop through much of the year. If you see water spilling over the front lip during a rain, or plants growing out of the gutter, it’s overdue.
Annual Cost: Budgeting for Two Visits a Year
A single visit is the number everyone quotes, but gutters are a recurring bill. At WVU Extension’s twice-a-year minimum and LawnGuru’s $198 average, that’s about $396 a year. Across LawnGuru’s normal range, two visits run $214 to $650.
| Your situation | Visits per year | Estimated annual gutter cleaning cost |
|---|---|---|
| Few trees, single-story | 2 | $214 to $400 |
| Average lot, two-story | 2 | $400 to $800 |
| Heavy pine or oak cover | 3 to 4 | $600 to $1,300 |
Some companies discount a booked annual plan, since a guaranteed spring and fall visit fills their schedule. It’s worth asking for.
If you already pay for fall leaf work, bundling the two can save a trip charge. Our yard cleanup cost guide covers what that service runs.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: Ladder Safety and the Real Savings
DIY gutter cleaning costs little in cash: gloves, a scoop, a bucket, and a hose with a pistol-grip nozzle, plus a ladder if you don’t own one. On a single-story home with a light debris load, it’s a reasonable Saturday job.
The cost that doesn’t show up on a receipt is the ladder. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates ladders and stools were involved in about 227,000 emergency-room injuries in 2020, and 633,000 medically treated injuries overall.
If you do it yourself, follow WVU Extension’s rules:
- Set the ladder on level, firm ground. Never climb onto the roof to reach a gutter.
- On a stepladder, stay off the top two rungs.
- On an extension ladder, extend it three rungs past the roof edge and tie it off, or have someone hold it.
- Wear heavy gloves and safety glasses, and lay a drop cloth below your work area.
- Start at the low end near the downspout outlet and work away from it.
- Flush toward the outlet. If water backs up, spray straight down the downspout at full pressure, or use a plumber’s snake.
- Skip the job entirely in wind, rain, or icy conditions.
Our take: one story and a light load, DIY is fine. Two stories, a steep roof, or anyone who isn’t steady on a ladder, pay the $200.
Is It Worth Paying for Gutter Cleaning?
For most homes, yes. Gutters exist to move roof water away from the house, and a clogged one dumps that water right where you don’t want it: against the fascia boards, down the siding, and into the soil at the foundation. WVU Extension notes that regular maintenance also keeps gutters from corroding and pulling loose from their mountings.
The value check is simple. Two cleanings a year cost about $400. Rotted fascia, a wet basement corner, or a gutter torn off by the weight of soaked debris all cost more than that to fix, and they take longer to notice.
Where you discharge the water matters too. NC State Extension says splash blocks release water too close to the home and recommends carrying it at least 10 feet downhill and away. If one basement corner is always damp, check that downspout first.
Do Gutter Guards Lower Your Gutter Cleaning Cost?
They lower how often you clean, not whether you clean. Guards keep leaves out of the trough, but needles, seeds, and fine grit still collect on top of or inside them. And when guards do need service, Clean Pro charges $50 to $150 extra to pull and refit them.
No guard manufacturer publishes how many cleanings their product saves. Some offer a cleaning guarantee instead; Leafguard, for example, includes free cleaning if its system clogs. If you’re comparing a guard install against years of cleaning visits, use your own annual cost from the table above as the yardstick. Our guide to the best gutter guards for your home compares the main types.
Ready to book? Compare local quotes for gutter cleaning on LawnGuru, where providers send prices based on your home’s height and gutter length, and you get a photo receipt when the job is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of gutter cleaning in my area?
It varies by local labor rates, which is why national averages range from about $160 to $233. LawnGuru’s U.S. average is $198. The quickest way to get your local number is to request two or three quotes with your home’s stories and approximate gutter length. Our guide to finding the best gutter cleaning services near you covers what to ask.
How much does it cost to clean gutters on a 2-story house?
Usually $250 to $400 for a typical footprint. Companies that publish their pricing add about 25% over single-story rates for the extra ladder height and setup.
What is the best month to get your gutters cleaned?
Late fall, after most leaves have dropped, is the most important visit, often November in colder regions. The second visit belongs in late spring, after trees finish shedding seeds and pollen. Booking a few weeks before peak season usually gets you an earlier slot.
What is the little known trick for gutters?
Test the downspouts with a hose before and after cleaning. A gutter can look clean while the downspout is packed solid at the elbow, which is what causes most overflow. Run water into the top and watch it come out the bottom.
Do I need to be home during gutter cleaning?
No. As long as the crew can safely reach your roofline and downspouts, you don’t need to be there. A photo receipt shows the before and after.
Can gutter cleaning be bundled with other services?
Yes, and it often saves a trip charge. Gutter cleaning pairs well with fall yard cleanup, and many homeowners schedule it alongside exterior washing. See our pressure washing cost guide if you’re pricing both.
