How Much Does It Cost to Install or Repair Gutters?

Gutters are an often-overlooked but essential part of your roof system. They protect your home and landscape from water damage, preventing serious problems like mold, rot, flooding, and erosion.

The average cost of gutters for a 2,000-square-foot house ranges from approximately $2,200 to $4,500, depending on the material, type of gutters (seamless vs. regular), and labor costs.

Table of Contents

1. Gutter installation, repair, and replacement costs
2. When should you invest in new gutters?
3. Average cost of gutter installation per square foot
4. How much do different types of gutters cost?
   1. Downspouts
   2. Seamed vs. seamless gutters
5. Gutter costs in different states
6. Does installing new gutters pay off?
   1. Property value
   2. Curb appeal
   3. Protecting your home
7. Gutter upkeep
8. Bottom line

Gutter installation, repair, and replacement costs

	What does it include?	Ballpark cost
Gutter installation	Installing a new gutter system on a home that has no gutters; includes materials and labor	National average: $3,000
Gutter repair	Addressing damage like leaks, rust, or sagging	Average: Around $400
Gutter replacement	Removing old gutters and installing new ones	May cost slightly more than a first gutter system due to the extra labor of dismantling and hauling away old gutters

Repairing gutters is mainly worth the effort when you’re dealing with minor, localized damage on a basically sound gutter system. Extensive leaks or rust mean that your gutters will keep failing; in this case, replacement makes more sense.

When should you invest in new gutters?

Gutters are a must, even if you live in a dry state like Nevada or Arizona. Investing in new gutters makes sense if:

• You’re building a new house
• Your current home has no gutters, e.g., you have bought a home with no gutter system
• Your current gutters are 20 years or older
• Your gutter system doesn’t cope with local rain and snow, i.e., your gutters often overflow
• You notice signs of major damage, like sagging, extensive rust, or large gaps

Average cost of gutter installation per square foot

When a contractor gives you an estimate for a gutter installation project, they almost always calculate pricing by linear foot, not square foot.

That’s because the total length of the gutters depends on the layout of your roofline.

Two homes with equal square footage can have different roof perimeter lengths and thus need different-sized gutter systems.

The average cost of new gutters is around $12 to $25 per linear foot. The average home needs 100-200 linear feet of gutters. When you translate it to how much you’d pay in total, you get:

Home size	Price range
Cost of gutters for 1,200 sq. ft. house	$1,000 – $2,500
Cost of gutters for 1,500 sq. ft. house	$1,800 – $3,800
Cost of gutters for 2,000 sq. ft. house	$2,200 – $4,500
Cost of gutters for 3,000 sq. ft. house	$2,600 – $5,500

Of course, these are just ballpark numbers. The actual cost of a gutter system depends on the material you choose, your contractor’s standard pricing, location, and other factors.

How much do different types of gutters cost?

When you consider the cost of gutters per foot, you’ll often need to balance the upfront price against longevity.

For example, the average cost of LeafGuard gutters is $20-$70 per linear foot, whereas vinyl gutters cost about $5 to $10 per linear foot.

However, vinyl gutters will likely need replacing much sooner, especially if you live in an area with extreme temperatures or heavy rainfall or snow.

Gutter type	Cost per linear foot	Performance	Lifespan (years)
LeafGuard (durable seamless aluminum) *	$20 – $70	Excellent; can handle heavy rainfall and snow	25+
Aluminum (standard)	$10 – $20	Great; withstands heavy rain, resists corrosion, but is dent-prone	20+
Copper	$25 – $40	Extremely durable and corrosion-resistant	50-100
Galvanized steel	$10 – $35	Strong, impact-resistant; may rust if protective coat is damaged	20-25
Zinc	$35 – $45	Highly durable and corrosion-resistant	50-80
Vinyl	$8 – $12	Can crack or wrap in extreme temperatures	10-15

* LeafGuard offers a limited warranty that includes a lifetime clog-free guarantee and a warranty for material and labor defects.

Downspouts

Downspouts are a crucial part of the gutter system. They divert water away from your home, channeling it away from the foundations and into downspout pipes, which carry the water to a drainage area. This prevents basement flooding, erosion, and landscape damage.

The average cost of downspouts is a little over $650. When looking into quotes from contractors, make sure the offer includes downspout installation.

Seamed vs. seamless gutters

Standard seamed gutters are made of combined sections joined together. Seamless gutters are custom-made in a single piece to fit your home’s perimeter.

Regular gutters are cheaper and easier to install, but the seams are more vulnerable to leaks and tend to trap debris. Seamless gutters are more durable, leak-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing. They also require less maintenance.

However, seamless gutters tend to be more expensive: all other factors being equal, this type of gutter system costs around 15% to 30% more than sectional gutters.

So, if your home requires approximately 200 linear feet of gutters and a sectional aluminum gutter system would cost $2,000, for seamless gutters you would need to budget $2,300 to $2,600.

Gutter costs in different states

The average cost of rain gutters also differs by location. For example, if you live in a state that sees a lot of rain, like Florida or Louisiana, it makes sense to invest in a durable gutter system made from heavy-duty aluminum or galvanized steel.

In regions with heavy snow, you might look into wider gutters that can handle large amounts of snowmelt.

Labor rates also influence gutter costs in different states. For example, according to Angi, the cost of gutter installation in New York may reach $40, whereas in Arizona the average upper range is only $20.

Does installing new gutters pay off?

In hard numbers, it’s difficult to say whether gutter installation ranks among home improvement projects with positive ROI. Nevertheless, a functional gutter system is absolutely necessary to keep your home in good shape.

Property value

Whenever you put your house up for sale, gutters will be inspected during the property assessment. A home with a new, efficient gutter system will likely get a higher appraisal than a property with no gutters or damaged gutters. Any gutter issues will likely need addressing before resale.

Curb appeal

Gutters can also boost your home’s curb appeal. For instance, copper gutters develop a characteristic patina that makes them the perfect choice for Victorian and Colonial homes.

Protecting your home

It’s hard to overstate the importance of directing rainwater and snowmelt away from your home. Gutters help avoid rot, mold, foundation damage, and soil erosion. In colder climates, they can also prevent ice dams on the roof. When you consider the potential long-term cost of these issues, it’s obvious that installing gutters pays off.

Gutter upkeep

Your gutters will need cleaning at least once a year to remove any blockages, from leaves and twigs to bird and animal nests. Many contractors will do this as part of an annual roof maintenance package.

As a separate service, gutter cleaning costs in the range of $120 to $235, depending on your gutters’ length and accessibility. Again, off-season cleaning may be more affordable.

Gutters may need more frequent cleaning if a lot of debris gets in, e.g., if you have trees overshadowing your home and shedding leaves on your roof. Gutter guards, such as mesh covers, will keep out leaves and other obstructions. LeafGuard gutters come with a carved hood that acts like a built-in guard.

Some homeowners can handle their own gutter maintenance, but if this isn’t feasible or safe, it’s better to leave the job to professionals.

Bottom line

If your home needs new gutters, we recommend scheduling installation or replacement as soon as possible to prevent bigger and costlier repairs down the line.

Don’t have enough cash to cover the cost upfront? Consider various home improvement financing options, like a low-interest loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC).

HELOCs can be a smart choice because they allow you to borrow funds as needed, making it easier to plan repairs. If you consider exploring this route, check out our list of top-rated HELOC lenders.