Gutter Cleaning Cost

How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost?

The average cost of gutter cleaning will typically be £75 to £200, depending on the extent of the work required. For example, larger or more complex properties could potentially reach as much as £450.

It's also worth being aware that labour fees for professional gutter cleaning services and other trades can be higher in areas such as London and the South East due to the higher cost of living, which can impact the end cost.

But what is this price based on?

The price variation is based on the size of your property and, therefore, the length of the guttering.

As a rough guide, gutter cleaning works out at around £5 to £10 per metre, though this can vary depending on the height and accessibility of the property.

For example, to have the guttering cleaned on a 2-storey semi-detached house will set you back about £100, although the type of guttering can also affect the total cost of the job too.

However, the total gutter cleaning cost will primarily be influenced by the type and size of your house.

How the gutters are cleaned, and how easily they can be reached, also affect the price. There are two common cleaning methods:

• Manual clearing — debris is scooped out by hand into a bucket and the downpipes flushed through. Simple and low-cost where access is easy.
• Gutter-vacuum system — debris is drawn out through a long pole operated from the ground, which is safer and often used where a property is harder to reach.

Access is one of the biggest factors in the price, and how the tradesperson reaches the roofline depends on the property:

• Ladders — usually enough for single-storey and many two-storey homes with clear access.
• Cherry picker — a powered platform used where the property is taller or the ground below is awkward to work from.
• Scaffolding — needed where a conservatory, extension or difficult layout blocks safe access, which adds to both the cost and the time.

Gutter Cleaning Prices

Gutter Cleaning Prices With Scaffolding

Where scaffolding is needed to reach the guttering safely, both the cost and the time increase. The prices below include the scaffolding being erected and dismantled.

Gutter, Soffit, and Fascia Cleaning Prices

Fascias and soffits are the boards along the roofline that your guttering is fixed to, and they're usually cleaned in the same visit as the gutters. Some tradespeople include a quick wipe-down of the fascias and soffits within their gutter cleaning quote, while others treat a fuller fascia and soffit clean as a small add-on, typically around £40 to £80 on top, depending on the size of the property.

Because the operative is already working at roof height, having gutter and fascia cleaning done at the same time costs far less than booking it as a separate job. It's worth asking for when the boards have started to show green algae, dirt or water staining, and especially if scaffolding is already going up for the gutter clean.

Gutter Cleaning Prices by Location

Another factor to consider with gutter cleaning is whereabouts in the UK you are situated. The gutter cleaning cost can fluctuate based on where you live since contractors charge different rates for different markets across the nation.

Rates tend to be highest in London and the South East and lowest in Scotland and the north of England, as the local examples below show.

Gutter Cleaning Cost Calculator

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Labour Cost of Gutter Cleaning

Let's now look at how much of the cost of gutter cleaning goes towards labour fees, and how long the job will usually take.

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Unlike many other contractor jobs, professional gutter cleaning services don't normally include much in the way of material costs. This is due to not requiring a replacement or a new installation, and the tradesmen will already have access to the right equipment to use for the job.

Guttering cleaners cost about £18 to £25 per hour and charge a daily rate of around £150 to £300.

How Long Does Gutter Cleaning Take?

How long the gutter cleaning will take can vary based on factors like the size of the property, the design of the roof, and the extent of the cleaning that is needed. The labour gutter cleaning cost estimate will also vary depending on where you are located.

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Factors That Impact Gutter Cleaning Prices

In this section, we'll take a look at the factors that determine the total cost of the job in more detail. These factors include the type of guttering, length of guttering, property location, type of roof, and house type.

Type of Guttering

The cost of having guttering cleaned does not usually vary based on the type used. After all, it is the length of the guttering and the extent of the cleaning required that will impact the cost the most.

However, seamless gutters, those which make a continuous length of guttering that is not broken up into sections, tend to accumulate less debris. This fact means that seamless gutters, regardless of the material, may prove easier to clean, thus saving you money overall.

Size of Guttering

Guttering clean prices are, of course, also impacted by the full length that the guttering will be.

Severity of Blockage

Heavily blocked gutters can take longer to clear, potentially increasing labour fees, along with additional costs if specialist equipment or treatment is required to resolve the issue. This can often be caused by a build-up of debris or by a lack of regular maintenance.

Location of Property

As mentioned, where you are based in the UK shapes the cost that a contractor charges. In the South East of England and London, the costs tend to be significantly higher than average gutter cleaning prices elsewhere.

Scotland and the north of England, on the other hand, generally have lower gutter cleaning rates than the UK as a whole.

Ease of Access

How easily can your roof be reached?

If your roof is hard to access due to a conservatory, extension, or the layout of your garden and adjoining properties, gutter cleaning may take longer or in some cases may even require scaffolding. If scaffolding is needed, this phase of the job will take 2 to 4 hours, while the cleaning itself will likely take between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the size of the property.

Roof Type

What roof type your property has is also important.

The price will vary depending on whether you have a hip roof (sloped on all four sides, meeting at a ridge) or a gable end roof (two slopes that meet at a central ridge, creating a triangle).

House Type

The timeframe of guttering cleaning is also determined by the type of house in question. As we showed in the 'How Much to Clean Gutters?' section, on average, gutter cleaning for a terraced house is usually cheaper than that of a detached house. For a semi-detached house, the cost of gutter cleaning lands somewhere between the two.

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Additional Costs of Gutter Cleaning

These extra jobs and costs could include window cleaning, roof cleaning and getting your current gutters repaired or replaced:

• Repairing Guttering — It is likely that if there's any damage, repair work will be spotted while cleaning your gutters, on average costing approximately £215 (although this can depend on what's required).
• Replace Guttering — Alternatively, there comes a time when installing replacement guttering is the only option. On average, this costs around £650 depending on the size of property.
• Downpipe Replacement — If not already included within the quote, clearing blocked downpipes may be charged extra. Likewise, as part of the regular cleaning process, minor repairs can often be fixed on the spot. However, damaged downpipes may need replacing to ensure proper drainage, costing around £150 on average.
• Gutter Guard Installation — Fitting mesh guards or brush inserts after cleaning helps stop leaves and debris building up again, cutting how often the gutters need clearing. Expect to pay around £200 to £500 depending on the length of guttering.
• Window Cleaning — Clearing gutters can wash dirt and debris down the walls and windows, so it's common to have the windows cleaned afterwards. Window cleaners charge around £40 per job, and some will also clear gutters for an extra fee.
• Roof Cleaning — Moss and debris from the roof are a common cause of blocked gutters, so many homeowners have the roof cleaned and any moss removed at the same time, especially while scaffolding is up. This usually costs around £450, depending on the size and condition of the roof.
• Painting Fascias and Soffits — Another convenient job to carry out while already having scaffolding in place is to refresh fascias and soffits. This job usually costs around £300 depending on the size of property and extent of work required.

How to Save on Gutter Cleaning Costs

There are a few simple ways to keep the cost of gutter cleaning down:

• Get more than one quote so you can compare local prices before booking.
• Bundle it with other jobs while access is already set up, such as a roof clean or a fascia and soffit clean, to save paying twice for scaffolding.
• Have your gutters cleaned regularly — a light, routine clean costs less than clearing a heavy, compacted blockage.
• Fit gutter guards to cut down how often the gutters need clearing.
• Clear any easy, low-level sections yourself and leave only the high or awkward areas to a professional.
• Book outside autumn if you can, as it's the busiest and often priciest time of year.

Can I Clean Guttering Myself?

Cleaning your gutters can be a DIY job, but it isn't right for every property. The main thing to weigh up is health and safety. Most accidents come from working at height, and getting it wrong can cause costly damage, such as cracking plastic guttering with a pressure washer set too high.

When You Can Clean Gutters Yourself

• You have a single-storey home or bungalow where the gutters can be reached safely from a stable ladder.
• The gutters only have light debris, such as leaves and loose moss, rather than a heavy, compacted blockage.
• You own the right safety gear — a secure ladder, gloves, and ideally someone to foot the ladder.
• You're confident and steady working at low height.

When to Hire a Professional

• Your property is two storeys or higher, or access is awkward due to a conservatory, extension or sloping ground.
• You're not comfortable on ladders or working at height.
• The gutters are heavily blocked or sagging, or you've spotted damage that needs repairing.
• The job would need a cherry picker or scaffolding to reach safely.

Cost of DIY Gutter Cleaning vs Hiring a Professional

If you're weighing up doing it yourself against hiring someone, factor in the cost of the kit. A one-off professional clean on a smaller property starts from around £60 to £150. Doing it yourself only works out cheaper if you already own a stable ladder, as buying the basic equipment from scratch can add up to £100 to £300. That covers a ladder stand-off, gutter scoop, gloves, and a telescopic cleaning tool or vacuum attachment.

For a single clean, hiring a professional is often better value. DIY tends to pay off only if you'll be doing it regularly.

Signs You Need Your Gutters Cleaned

Gutters don't always show obvious problems until a blockage has built up. Look out for these common signs that they're due a clean:

• Overflowing gutters — water spills over the edge or runs down the wall during rain instead of draining through the downpipe.
• Plant growth — grass, weeds or seedlings sprouting from the guttering.
• Sagging gutters — the guttering pulls away from the fascia under the weight of trapped debris.
• Damp or staining — damp patches, staining or green algae on the walls below the gutter line.
• Pests around the roofline — birds, insects or pests gathering where debris has collected.
• Visible debris — leaves, moss or dirt sitting in or spilling out of the gutter.

It's worth staying on top of gutter cleaning because a clean costs far less than the repairs that blocked gutters can lead to. When water can't drain away it overflows and soaks into the building, which over time can cause damp inside the home, rotten fascias and soffits, and even damage to the foundations. A regular clean is a small price to protect against much bigger bills later on.

Checklist: Hiring a Gutter Cleaner Near You

Below are some key points to consider when hiring a contractor who specialises in professional gutter cleaning services:

• Have you asked for multiple quotes? It's often common practice to request more than one quote for the work required. With the help of MyJobQuote, you can contact several tradesmen without any commitment to continue.
• Are they a well-experienced contractor? Hiring someone that's used to regular gutter cleaning and gutter maintenance, blockages, and working at height safely will provide you with confidence that the job will be carried out correctly.
• What sort of work have they performed previously? Many tradesmen will display examples of previous gutter cleaning jobs such as clearing blocked gutters, often with before and after photos. In this instance, look for someone that has worked on a property similar to yours.
• How well have their previous clients rated them? Check their MyJobQuote profile for reviews and customer feedback, ask friends and family for recommendations, and ensure regular gutter cleaning is a service they advertise.
• Do they have public liability insurance? Although not a legal requirement, many reputable tradesmen will be insured against accidental damage and personal injury, the latter particularly relevant to regular gutter clearance when working at height.
• Have you received a breakdown of the quote? Even for a relatively straightforward job such as gutter clearance and minor repairs, you should ask for an itemised quote, such as advising if waste disposal is included.

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