It’s always a good idea to get your gutter professionally cleaned at least once per year to remove any debris that has built up over time. If allowed to accumulate, debris can cause gutter blockages which can, in turn, lead to bigger issues such as water leakage. This is especially true in the UK, where the gusty weather can often blow sticks, twigs, and leaves into the air, before landing in your gutter.
Luckily, the process of gutter cleaning is relatively inexpensive and should be affordable for most homeowners.
In this guide, we will:
Cost of gutter cleaning
Gutter cleaning prices can vary depending on a number of factors, but generally, gutter cleaning should cost around £18 – 25 per hour. Most tradespeople agree that they are able to clean between 10-15 metres of guttering per hour.
That means if you live in a terraced house, which uses 25 metres of guttering, the total cost of the job should be approximately £50.
The size of your home is by far the determining factor when working out the cost of gutter cleaning. The table below outlines how much you can expect the cost of gutter cleaning to be, depending on the size of your home.
| House type | Gutter length | Average cost | Average duration |
| Flat | 18m | £36 | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Terraced house | 25m | £50 | 2 hours |
| Bungalow | 30m | £60 | 2 hours 15 mins |
| Semi-detached house | 38m | £76 | 2 hours 30 mins |
| Detached house | 48m | £96 | 2 hours 45 mins |
If the gutter cleaning expert finds any additional problems with your gutter, there may be some small additional costs to consider:
- Installing new downpipe filters: £5 each
- Replacing cracked joints: £10 each
Professional gutter cleaners will perform three key steps to ensure that there’s no debris clogging up your gutters:
- Remove all debris from your gutter.
- Clean your gutters with the help of extension poles and powerful air blowers.
- Test the downspout to ensure there’s a clear, unobstructed route for the water to make its way to the ground.
Cost factors of gutter cleaning
Although the cost of gutter cleaning is extremely budget-friendly, your final bill can depend on several factors. Make sure to check your itemised quote before you approve the work to fully understand the costs involved. Here are the main things to consider when working out the cost of gutter cleaning:
Height of your home
Depending on the height of your home, it may be necessary to use scaffolding to reach the guttering. Official guidance from Health and Safety Executive stipulates that “There is no maximum height for using a ladder. However, where a ladder rises 9 metres or more above its base, landing areas or rest platforms should be provided at suitable intervals”.
Therefore, it will be up to the professional gutter specialist if they need scaffolding. If they do, the extra cost will be in the region of £500. Here’s a table that outlines the average cost of scaffolding depending on the size of your home.
| House type | Average cost of scaffolding |
| Flat | £280 |
| Terraced house | £350 |
| Bungalow | £530 |
| Semi-detached house | £850 |
| Detached house | £950 |
Ease of access
If the gutter specialist can’t access your gutters due to an overhanging tree or another obstruction, it will take them more time to complete your gutter cleaning and therefore increase the cost.
Location
If you live in a major city in the UK, especially towards the south of England, the overall cost of the job might be slightly more than in other parts of the country.
Waste disposal
If there’s any damaged guttering to dispose of, such as a used downpipe filter or cracked joints, there may be a small waste disposal cost to consider. Usually, this will cost between £20-40.
Type of roof
Gutter cleaning prices also depend on the type of roof you have. If you have a flat roof, cleaning your gutter will be relatively easy for the gutter specialist. They will be able to stand on the roof and be more mobile, where pitch roofs require the use of ladders and other tools – adding more time to complete the job.
Although it can be easy to forget to get your gutter regularly cleaned, it’s one of the easiest bits of maintenance you can carry out on your home and will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
5 benefits of gutter cleaning
There are several benefits of cleaning your gutters that largely outweigh the costs. They include:
Helps to prevent gutter damage
Irreversible damage can be caused to your gutter if debris such as twigs and leaves is allowed to build up over time. Debris causes extra weight to be added to the gutter. This can cause the gutter to disconnect from the fascia and soffit, potentially picking up cracks and punctures.
Stops water leakage
Water leakage is one of the most potentially dangerous things that can happen to your home, so it’s best to avoid it at all costs. A blocked gutter can cause water to overflow and get into your roof and walls, leading to costly structural issues.
Protects against pests
Like debris, little furry friends can choose to nest in your gutter and cause a blockage. A regular clean once per year will prevent this.
Ensures your safety
If your gutter hasn’t been cleaned for a while, it’s most likely full of objects that shouldn’t be there. These objects can potentially fall from the gutter to the pavement below, creating a hazard for the people living in your home. By cleaning your gutter regularly, you won’t have to worry about any falling debris from above.
Increases the gutter’s lifespan
Quite simply, clean gutters last longer than dirty gutters. This is because there’s less chance of damage occurring if the gutter is only dealing with water every day, as opposed to debris, pests, and blockages.
Visit our fascias and soffits page for more insights on what to consider when calculating gutter cleaning costs.
If you have more questions on gutter cleaning, from how to tell if your gutters need professional cleaning to how often you should clean your gutters, head over to our gutter cleaning guide.
To get quotes for gutter cleaning experts – post a job now.
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