How much does gutter installation cost ?

Many people do not even notice the gutters on their house until they become clogged with leaves, a rodent gets stuck, or they start to fall off altogether. Replacing gutters is not an easy job as there is a lot of material and labor involved. The cost to replace gutters will vary depending on the type of material that you use and the size of your house.

There are a couple of things to consider when replacing gutters. The first is where you leave and the weather conditions. You will want a gutter that withstands the elements such as drastic climate changes or bright sun. Style is also something to consider as you do not want to place basic aluminum gutters on a Victorian style home. Here are some basic prices for different types of gutters on average size homes.

Aluminum Gutters Prices.

Aluminum gutters are the most popular and most widely used gutters in the industry. This is because they are relatively inexpensive compared to other gutter materials, they are light, and they are easy to work with. Contractors are familiar with aluminum gutters so you can count on having a good fit no matter which contractor you choose. One of the drawbacks of aluminum gutters is that they will bend easily if they are hit. That is why it is important to be careful when doing any yard work around downspouts. The price of aluminum gutters is approximately $7.50 to $12 per linear foot which includes bot materials and installation cost.

Steel Gutters Prices.

Steel gutters are great for those who live in climates that constantly change. This is because steel does not expand and contract as much as aluminum so it will not wear out as fast. You must keep in mind that steel is heavier than aluminum and as such you will pay more for installation. You will also want to keep in mind that steel cannot be colored in the same manner as aluminum so your color choices will be limited. Finally, steel gutters cannot be cut as easy as aluminum so installation times could run longer than anticipated. If you plan to use steel gutters, expect to pay approximately $9 to $14 per linear foot. This price includes installation.

Copper and Zinc Gutters Prices.

Copper and zinc gutters are some of the most expensive gutters that you can purchase. Copper gutters are used mainly on older homes in the United States while zinc is used on European style homes. Copper and zinc gutters can run approximately four times the cost of regular aluminum gutters. In addition, they can be susceptible to theft due to the rising price of scrap copper in the United States. You should plan on spending approximately $10 to $18 per linear foot to replace gutters using zinc or copper. This price includes installation. It should be noted that the price of copper and zinc gutters will vary drastically due to them being precious metals and their prices changing due to trading and speculation.

Installation Cost.

If you plan on purchasing gutters from a supplier or happen to have them lying around already, you may be wondering how much it will cost simply for the installation. Most contractors will charge you anywhere from $6 to $15 per linear foot for installation. The actual price will depend on the material ($4 on the low end for aluminum and $10 on the high end for copper or zinc).

Additional Price Consideration.

When installing gutters, you have the option of a regular downspout that delivers water away from your house or having an “in ground” downspout which delivers water into the ground and away from your house. In ground downspouts are nice as they do not leave bulky metal running away from your house; however, they are generally more expensive than regular downspouts as the contractor will need to dig a trench to lay the downspout (unless they are being installed during the construction of the home). Plan on spending approximately $100 extra per downspout to have them installed in ground.

When considering the price of replacing gutters, make sure that you count in additional materials such as gutter guards and mounting brackets. The prices quoted herein include these materials but you will want to check with your contractor to make sure that they factor these into the price of your quote. 

To get a better idea of costs, here are some gutter estimates from professionals.

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