Installing gutters around your house is an essential measure of keeping your home safe from water damage. Gutters help guide the rainwater away from the foundation of your home; thus, avoiding erosion, infiltration, and consequent structural damage. Now, how much does it cost to install gutters? Well, it may vary significantly, depending on a few factors such as the type of gutter, size of a house, and even labor costs. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you understand what to expect.
Types of Gutters
The type of gutters you go with will play a huge role in the overall cost. Here are some of the most common:
- Vinyl Gutters: The cheapest on the market, they come between $3 to $5 per linear foot. They are light and easy to install but lack the strength that other materials may have.
- Aluminum Gutters: As durable as they are, the reason they remain a popular pick remains their toughness against reasonable prices—costing from $6 to $12 per linear foot; rust-resistant and color-varied.
- Steel Gutters: These are stronger and thus can handle severe weather conditions, with an overall cost of $8 to $15 per linear foot, but they have a weakness in that they do rust eventually.
- Copper Gutters: Durable come in stylishly with any kind of architecture in any building, and it is the most expensive material at $15-$25 per linear foot. Copper gutters acquire, systematically, a beautiful patina; however, they require professional laying.
Size of Your Home
Another critical factor affecting the cost is the size and layout of your home. The larger the house, the more linear feet of gutters you’ll have to install, increasing the material and labor costs. For example, a typical one-story house may use about 150-200 linear feet of gutters, while a two-story or oddly shaped house could use substantially more.
Labor Costs
Labor costs differ depending on your area and the complexity of work. The average rate for labor can run from $4 to $10 a linear foot. Complex jobs, such as those involving a multi-story house or places hard to access, increase the cost of labor.
Other Associated Costs
Several other factors contribute to the rising overall cost:
- Gutter Guards: Additional gutter guards to prevent the accumulation of debris run $7 to $10 more per linear foot when installed.
- Downspouts: Downspouts, costing approximately $5 to $8 per linear foot, are what will direct that water flow away from the base of your house.
- Repairs and Preparation: If your already existing fascia or soffit is in need of repair or replacement, then that is factored into the final cost.
Total Estimation of Costs
Keeping all of these things in mind, the total installation cost for gutters around the average-sized home can range from $1,000 to $2,500. For larger homes or premium materials, it may be more than $3,000.
You want to make sure you have quality gutters installed. While the upfront cost will be a little more, avoiding foundation, erosion, and other potential water damage pays for itself over time. Taking the time to comparably shop for a competitive estimate by respected contractors allows for the best value in this matter.
This post was written by a professional at Rain Gutter Medic. Rain Gutter Medic’s commitment to protecting your home starts with ensuring it has the best gutter system in place. Based in West Jordan, UT, they bring over 24 years of specialized experience in Gutter installation Salt Lake City, professional gutter cleaning near you, and gutter repair in UT for residential and commercial properties. RGM is dedicated to providing top-notch gutter services that safeguard your property and enhance its appearance and value.
