If you've noticed that your gutters aren't doing their job lately, it's probably time for a good gutter cleaning. Spring and summer thunderstorms are notorious for blocking rain gutters with debris, and with fall right around the corner and the leaves about to turn, it's only a matter of time until things get plugged up again. That said, the need for regular gutter cleanings isn't really up for debate, though how you go about it might be. Is it worth it to hire a professional for this common home maintenance task? That's what this edition of Pros, Cons, & Costs aims to find out.
The Pros: Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning out your gutters can be a messy and precarious business for any homeowner. After all, juggling a hose, garden shovel, and bucket, while standing 20 feet up on a ladder is easier said than done, prompting many homeowners to hire this project out. Here are the pros of seeking out the services of a professional.
The Cons: Gutter Cleaning
Costs: Gutter Cleaning
Whether you go with a specialist or try to cut costs by calling around is up to you, but here at Pros, Cons, & Costs, one thing is clear. Hiring a pro to clean out your gutters on a regular basis is a smart investment for anyone that owns their home.
While we try hard at Pros, Cons, & Costs to look at different home improvement services from all angles, we're hard pressed to find any downside to hiring a pro to do the job for you. The only compelling reason that we can find not hire this job out is to save yourself a few bucks, though be sure to figure in things like ladder and equipment rentals if you don't have the necessary tools at home to get the job done. Finally, remember that for the cost of a single visit to the ER, you could pay someone to clean your gutters for several years. Which brings us to the Costs portion of our article.
Just how much does a good gutter cleaning cost these days? Depends on who you ask. For a single story ranch home of about 1,200 square feet with asphalt shingle roofing, Denver Gutter Cleaning, a professional gutter cleaning service in Denver, Colorado, charges of base rate of $115 for an easily walkable roof, $135 for a medium pitch roof, and $155 for a steep pitch. Add $30 to your bill if you've got a two story home, and if you've got a tile roof that requires your pro to do everything from the ladder, tack another $40 on to your tab. On the other hand, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder fame, guesses that you could probably hire a roofer to do the job for less than $100.
