
What is gutter cleaning, and why is it important? From benefits and cost to recommended cleaning frequency, we bring you essential gutter cleaning basics you need to know.
The average homeowner spends $143 on gutter cleaning in Washington, D.C., and most cleanings cost between $104 and $182, depending on type, length, and height.
Gutter cleaning in Washington, D.C. averages $0.70 to $1.60 per linear foot.
While the area's overall cost of living is well above the national average, gutter cleaning costs in Washington, D.C., are reasonable in comparison.
The primary cost factors for gutter cleaning are the length, height, and type of gutters on your home.
Cleaning out your gutters is possible as a DIY task, but hiring a professional is the best option.
Professional gutter cleaning costs in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area are surprisingly reasonable compared to the cost of living in the area. Prices run between $104 and $182, with an average cost of $143. Keeping your home's rainwater gutter system flowing freely means keeping it free of debris and clogs. Regularly cleaning out your home's gutters protects your roof, exterior walls, and ultimately your interiors from potentially costly water and mold damage.
Tree litter is the number one offender when it comes to clogged rain gutters. It's not surprising that, in a city nicknamed the "City of Trees," the gutter cleaning business is alive and well in Washington, D.C.. Regardless of the number of trees on your property, gutter cleaning is crucial for protecting your home and its contents. The following are the primary factors that will affect the cost of cleaning your gutters.
Gutter cleaning pros often charge by the linear foot, so the longer your gutters, the more you’ll pay. On average, expect to pay $0.70 to $1.60 per linear foot of your gutters, though this price can be higher on a multi-story home. Most homes have about 125 to 200 linear feet of gutters, though larger homes could have more.
That said, some contractors write an estimate based on the square footage of your home rather than the length of your gutters. In this case, they’ll charge around $0.30 per square foot for the first floor and $0.70 per square foot for the second floor.
Gutter Length | Average Cleaning Cost |
---|---|
100 | $85–$155 |
125 | $105–$190 |
150 | $130–$230 |
200 | $170–$310 |
Because gutters on single-story homes are easier and safer to reach, they’ll cost less to clean. The higher the roofline, the more cleaning gutters costs, especially since maneuvering ladders into position will make your project take longer. You’ll pay about $0.70 to $1 per linear foot for a one-story home or $0.85 to $1.60 per linear foot for a two-story home.
Here’s a look at gutter cleaning costs based on house height:
Height (stories) | Average Cost (linear foot) | Average Job Cost |
---|---|---|
1 | $0.70–$1 | $105–$200 |
2 | $0.85–$1.60 | $155–$310 |
3 | $1–$2 | $170–$400 |
There are two main types of gutters: seamed and seamless. Seamed gutters are the more traditional (and costlier) option, while seamless gutters are popular for new gutter installations and are easier to clean.
Here are some key differences between seamed and seamless gutters:
Gutter Type | Average Cleaning Cost | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Seamless gutters | $105–$160 | Costs less to keep clean | More costly to install |
Seamed gutters | $145–$240 | Costs less to install | Clogs more easily, shorter lifespan |
In addition to the primary pricing variables, your total gutter cleaning cost will also vary based on a few other factors. If your gutters need additional attention, your gutter cleaning pro in Washington, D.C. can often handle the tasks. However, you may also need the services of other professionals, especially if tree overgrowth is an issue.
While cleaning your D.C. home's gutters is possible as a DIY project, the job is full of danger, primarily from falling. Most homeowners simply stay safe and hire the pros. Gutter cleaning prices consist mainly of labor costs and contractor overhead. Below are factors that can affect the cost of labor.
Roof Slope: Your contractor may require extra safety equipment and additional time to work from a steep roof. Expect increased labor costs of up to 15% if your home's roof is particularly steep or inaccessible by ladder.
Gutter Condition: If your home's gutters are in poor condition, they'll likely clog more easily and can be difficult and time-consuming to clear, resulting in added labor costs.
Gutter Guards: Having gutter guards on your system reduces the frequency of necessary cleanings. However, it can slightly increase the cost of the work per occasion.
Many gutter cleaning professionals add a trip charge for individual jobs, particularly for smaller jobs. Trip charges are highly variable from company to company and can be per mile or per trip. While these charges will mostly be just part of your job cost, ask your pro about package deals that involve scheduling regular cleanings at a discount.
Gutter cleaning companies and associates don't expect tips for gutter cleaning work. However, if your cleaners perform particularly well or offer money-saving suggestions, it's worth considering a $10 or $20 tip for each associate on the job.
If your gutters, fascia, or soffit are suffering from poor condition, spending some money to put them back in good repair can save significant amounts in the long run. Additionally, trimming nearby trees can reduce clogging and gutter cleaning costs over time.
Gutter repair costs: $240–$480
Soffit and fascia repair costs: $600–$6,000
Tree trimming costs: $270–$1,800
Gutter cleaning will not increase your home's value. However, failing to clean your gutters regularly can have significant negative effects on the house's value and integrity, including water damage, mold growth, and reduced curb appeal.
Additionally, if your home needs a new system, the cost of installing new gutters ranges from $600 to $1,700. Like gutter cleaning, new gutters won't have a high face-value ROI, but they can help keep your home in top shape and help protect your equity.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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