How Much Does Gutter Replacement or Installation Cost?

Gutter Costs by Style

There are several different gutter styles, and which one you choose impacts installation costs. Some more ornate gutters are hard to find or only available in costly materials, increasing their price. Others are widely available from most hardware stores in any material; they’re more cost-efficient but less decorative.

Fascia

Fascia gutters cost around $7.50 per linear foot, all-in, to install. This style of gutter is moderately decorative and doesn't require soffits. The gutters double as fascias to hide the edge of the wooden beams behind.

Some fascia gutters are custom-built to perfectly fit and match a property from long, seamless runs of aluminum or copper. These types of fascia gutters are more decorative and have a long lifespan, but can cost up to $40 per linear foot.

Victorian Ogee

For Victorian ogee gutters, expect to pay an average of $11.50 per linear foot. Victorian ogee gutters have a distinctive frilled front edge and are a common choice for period homes. However, they're hard to find and only usually available in aluminum or zinc.

K-Style

K-style gutters typically cost $14 per linear foot. These are the most common type of gutters in the US and are available in many materials. K-style guttering has a mildly decorative front face and is both wide and deep, so it holds a lot of water. 

Half-Round

Half-round gutters cost an average of $14.50 to install. Also known as U-style, these gutters are the second most common )and the precursors to) the now-more popular K-style ones. Half-round guttering is purely functional, with no decorative flourish, and it needs anchoring onto the soffits with U-shaped brackets.

European Seamless

European Seamless gutters cost around $18.50 per linear foot, installed. These are similar to the regular half-round styles, but they're seamless, so there's less opportunity for water to pool and cause corrosion. And their biggest attraction is that they hold considerably more water, so they're gaining popularity with folks who live in climates with heavy rainfall or snowfall. 

V-Style

V-style gutters generally cost $20.50 per linear foot. These types of gutters are more common in wood than any other material, so they're reasonably decorative if you have wood siding and really want to match your gutters to the rest of your home. 

They're often custom-built, too, and require a skilled craftsperson to create. Additionally, V-style gutters carry less water than other styles, so they're only suited to moderate climates that don't get excessive rainfall.

Gutter Prices by Material

Vinyl

Vinyl gutters typically cost around $4.50 per linear foot, or between $3 and $6, to install. The least expensive option, vinyl gutters are popular for DIY installations and those on a tight budget. It's a good, economical option for moderate climates, as it's fairly strong and requires minimal maintenance. However, it gets brittle with repeated exposure to freezing temperatures and can warp with too much heat.

Aluminum 

Aluminum gutters cost around $9 per linear foot, or $4 to $14, installed. This is one of the most popular guttering options, as it's a nice compromise between price and quality. Aluminum is lightweight, extremely durable, and not prone to corrosion. It's paintable, too, and is available in several finishes to match your home.

Galvanized Steel 

Galvanized steel gutters cost an average of $10 per linear foot, or between $6 and $14, all-in. It's heavier than aluminum, requiring professional installation, but it's extremely durable and less prone to dents and weather damage. Galvanized steel is a solid all-around choice for any home apart from those close to the ocean, as the salt will corrode the metal.

Zinc 

For zinc gutters, expect to pay around $19.50, or somewhere between $10 and $29 per linear foot. Zinc is low-maintenance and has a long lifespan. With professional installation, it can last for decades. Over time, it develops an oxidized patina that gives a unique appearance, making it a popular choice for older properties.

Galvalume

Galvalume gutters typically cost $25 per linear foot to install, or between $20 and $30. Galvalume is a mixture of zinc, aluminum, and silicone laid over the base metal. It's a bit like galvanizing steel, but with longer-lasting results, reduced chance of corrosion, and works in oceanside locations.

Wood 

Wooden gutters cost an average of $26.50 per linear foot, or between $21 and $32, all-in. While fairly rare, wooden gutters are gaining popularity on rustic properties, wood-sided homes, and log cabin-style properties. 

Manufacturers make these gutters from treated moisture- and insect-resistant wood, such as cypress, redwood, cedar, and pine. They're costly and require maintenance to keep the wood in good shape, but they make a real statement and can boost curb appeal.

Copper 

Copper gutters cost around $32.50 to install, or between $25 to $40 per linear foot. The most expensive gutter material, copper is sought after and extremely attractive, too. It's extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance, although it does need professional installation. Copper gutters eventually take on a blue-green patina that adds to their charm.

Seamless vs. Sectional Gutters

As the name suggests, seamless gutters comprise long, continuous lengths of guttering. A professional installer measures your home's roof, identifies the required length for the seamless gutter piece, and cuts it on-site using a special machine. This style sits perfectly on your roof.

Sectional gutters come in standard sizes, and you can buy them in 5-, 10-, and 15-foot sections. Ten-foot sections are the most popular. Your pro will join them on-site.

Seamless models often cost more because they require more customization, but many homeowners prefer them because there's less opportunity for leaks. Since they lack the gaps in sectional pieces, there are no divots where water can drip. Also, pros install all gutters at a slight slope to direct the water to the downspouts, so seamless gutters present a perfect visual line. If not installed properly, sectional gutters can appear jagged.

If you choose seamless gutters, you could pay anywhere between $800 and $5,000, depending on the preferred material and square footage of your home's exterior. This wide price range considers varying materials such as aluminum, copper, vinyl, wood, and steel. 

Seamless gutter costs may also include extra labor, delivery, and materials depending on your situation, so be sure to ask what the installer’s quote covers.

Other Gutter Installation Cost Factors

Home Size

Your home’s size and its number of stories impact your cost the most. The larger your property, the more linear feet of guttering you'll need. 

A simple vinyl gutter installation on a single-story 800-square-foot home could cost as little as $3,600. For a high-end copper installation on a 3,000-square-foot property, you could pay as much as $97,500. 

You'll also pay more for two or more stories because working at height carries more risk and requires more labor. Additionally, the taller your home, the longer the downspouts, which adds to cost, too.

*Median seamless gutter installation prices will vary depending on material.

Downspouts

When you purchase new gutters, you'll also need to buy downspouts, located roughly every 35 feet. You can expect to pay between $5 and $8 per foot for vinyl and aluminum downspouts. Steel costs$9 to $12, and copper will cost $17 or more per foot. You might also have to pay for additional accessories, such as splash blocks, drains, flashing, and hangers.

New Installation, Extension, or Replacement

Installing gutters on new construction, or simply extending the existing gutters, costs less than replacement. If you need to replace your existing gutters, you'll have to factor in their removal cost. 

If you have the skills, you can do this part of the project yourself to save money. If not, you'll need to add $0.65 to $0.85 per linear foot to installation costs. That takes the typical cost of installation from $3 to $40 per linear foot to $3.65 to $40.85 per linear foot.

Gutter Enhancements and Accessories

Other factors and enhancements can increase the cost, but also the efficiency, performance, and longevity of your gutters. Take a look at some of the most common.

Downspout Extensions

In many cases, you’ll need accessories to help your downspout to perform at its best.   Above-ground downspout extensions range from $10 to $50 (add $30 to $100 for installation) depending on length and type. In short, just know that accessories could raise the price of your installation. Some installers might include these line items in their estimate, but you should always clarify before you sign off on the project.

You might need any or all of these gutter accessories:

• Splash blocks/drains: $5–$10. Help to direct water away from the foundation and prevent damage.

• Flashing: $10. Protects your roof underlayment and siding from potential moisture damage.

• Hangers: $2 or more. Help keep gutters elevated, especially with excess wind or water draining during a storm.

• Rollout downspout extenders: $10–$20. Inexpensive way to divert water far away from your foundation.

• Rain barrel for downspouts: $80–$200. Collect rainwater for gardening. Make sure to check your local laws; some municipalities limit or prohibit the amount of water you can collect.

Cleaning Cost

Gutter cleaning costs approximately $125 to $225. A cleaner attachment for your pressure washer costs as little as $25 and allows you to clean your gutters any time you see fit. These handy devices are long enough that they require no ladder to perform the work.

Gutter Guards Cost

Installing gutter guards costs between $7 and $12 per linear foot. These plastic mesh guards prevent leaves and other clutter from creating blockage. Better quality gutter guards don't rust or erode over time, making them ideal one-time purchases.

Many brands sell pre-assembled styles to help you save time.

Wire Mesh Screens

A swarm of insects represents one of the largest dangers to the integrity of your gutters and can undo all your hard work. Wire mesh screens fit on top of the channel or box and provide protection against anything that tries to enter. Wire mesh screens cost as little as $1 per linear foot and are an elegant, inexpensive solution to the problem of nature's pests. 

Heat Tape

It's easy to install a heating cable and costs just $1 to $6 per linear foot. This tape or de-icing cable helps to prevent your gutters from freezing up and to melt any snow or ice that does start to form. It comes in self-regulating, which adjusts its own temperature based on air temperature, and manual, which remains at a constant temperature, no matter the weather.

Downspout Screens

Downspout screens, which redirect debris away from the downspout opening, cost around $8 each. These helpful accessories prevent clogging. The clever design allows the natural motion of water to elevate leaves and other objects above the slope of the gutters where the wind will eventually blow them away.

Gutter Foam

Foam is around $1.50 per linear foot. It’s a quick and simple solution to help keep tubes free of debris. The foam sections sit inside, allowing water to soak through but keeping out leaves and other elements. The foam is not visible from ground level and is quick to install.

Rodent Guards

Rodent guards are approximately $5 each. Made of plastic or metal mesh, they fit over the end of your downspout. They screw into place to prevent rodents from nesting in the downspout and have a snap-fit design for easy maintenance.

Gutter Flashing

Flashing usually costs no more than $20 per length. It’s a metal strip that runs behind the duct and up underneath the eaves of the roof. Flashing creates a waterproof barrier and prevents moisture damage.

Splash Blocks

Splash blocks are up to $10 each. They direct water away from buildings and reduce damage to the foundation.

DIY vs. Hiring a Gutter Installer

Some people might want to save money by installing or replacing their gutters themselves. This option has its advantages and disadvantages. Doing the project yourself can save money and allow you to pursue the project on your own terms. However, if you are inexperienced and make a mistake, you could wind up with too little or too much material, a fall-related injury, an installation that is visually unappealing or even accidental damage to your house.

Gutters are the front line of defense for your roof, siding and landscape. Without them, you could spend thousands on repairs every season from moisture damage. Depending on your budget and your home's appearance, invest in the kind that most complements the exterior and requires the least amount of maintenance. Hire a local gutter installer and rest assured the job will get done quickly and correctly.

FAQs

How many linear feet of gutters does my home need?

How many linear feet of guttering your home needs depends on the size of your home. You'll need to add together the length of each of your home's walls, plus the height of your home, and add 10 percent to get a ballpark figure. Your pro will measure accurately when they arrive. 

Here's a general guide to guttering requirements based on a home's square footage:

1,000 sq. ft. = 126 linear feet

1,600 sq. ft. = 160 linear feet

2,500 sq. ft. = 200 linear feet

3,600 sq. ft. = 240 linear feet

How long do gutters last?

If properly kept up, fitted with appropriate accessories, and cleaned regularly, durable gutters made of quality materials such as steel can last up to 20 years, and copper up to 50 years or more. Weather conditions in your area, material type, and consistency of maintenance and upkeep are three factors that will determine exactly how long your gutters last.

Do gutters add value to a home?

They can absolutely add value to your home, especially if they consist of quality materials. If you are in the process of searching for a new home, pay attention to the age and upkeep of the property’s gutters and examine the landscape to make sure they are functioning properly and staving off erosion.

Are gutters really necessary?

Yes. Gutters are a vital feature of any home. They keep water away from your foundation, preventing cracking and premature crumbling. They also channel rainwater toward the sidewalks and streets and into city drainage systems, keeping your soil from shifting and eroding over time. They are a smart investment if you want to prevent future structural problems on your property ,and they can save you considerable cash over the long haul.

What size gutters do I need?

It depends. Gutters come in 4, 5, and 6 inches with two shapes—K-style and half-rounds—suitable for most residential homes. A 5-inch K-style gutter holds about 1.5 gallons of water, while 6-inch half-rounds hold 2.0 gallons. Houses with steep roofs in wetter climates need wider channels with extra downspouts to help drain the water more quickly.