Cleaning Guides

DIY vs Pro: The True Cost of Keeping Gutters Clean

Image source: Suzanne Tucker / Shutterstock.com

Leaves, twigs, and moss are your roof gutters’ natural enemies. All of these organic materials are known to be at the root of water drainage problems for many homeowners. But how can just some leaves and a few twigs cause such troubles?

Well, they build up over time, forming a muddy goo that blocks water flow. This leads to leaking or overflowing of the gutters, putting your home at risk of water damage.

Truth be told, it’s easier to prevent this problem than to worry about it later. But how much does gutter cleaning cost, you probably wonder? In this article, you will find out what are the numbers, plus how gutter cleaning prices are determined, how the procedure works, and the benefits of a professional service.

What is the average cost of gutter cleaning in UK?

This UK gutter cleaning price list is exemplary, so keep in mind the numbers could still vary because of different factors. With that said…


Property type
Average cost (GBP)Additional information
Terraced house£40 – £70Typically includes front and back gutters.

Semi-detached house
£50 – £80Usually includes all gutters around the property.
Detached house£70 – £100Covers all gutters, with potential additional costs for complex roofs.
Bungalow£40 – £60Easier access, leading to generally lower costs.
3-storey house£90 – £150Higher cost due to increased height and difficulty.
Commercial property£100 – £200+Varies widely depending on property size and complexity.

There is also the matter of some additional services which might need to be carried out afterwards.

  • Gutter repairs – £30 – £100 per repair, depending on the severity and length of the gutter;
  • Downpipe cleaning – £10 – £30 per downpipe, if not included in standard cleaning;
  • Moss removal and treatment: £50 – £100, depending on roof size;
  • Installation of gutter guards: £200 – £500, varies by the type and length of guttering.

Prices can vary based on regional differences, with London and the South East typically being more expensive. Accessibility issues or the need for special equipment (like cherry pickers) can also increase the overall cost.

A leaky gutter will only get worse.

Take measures today with professional gutter cleaning services.

Add a valid postcode e.g. SE1 2TH

How is the gutter cleaning price formed?

The following factors play a major role in how much you will pay for a professional gutter cleaning.

  1. The height of the building – The height of your drainage system will influence greatly your gutter cleaning cost. For example, if your property is on the second floor, the price will be higher compared to a ground-floor property. This is because cleaning higher gutters requires more effort and equipment;
  2. The type of your property – Terraced, end-of-terraced, detached, and semi-detached homes each have different sizes and layouts, which affect the overall cost. A detached home, with more gutters to clean, will generally cost more than a terraced house;
  3. Gutter condition – If your gutters are full of debris or have sustained damage, be prepared for higher costs due to the additional work needed to restore them;
  4. Maintenance – Regular maintenance can save you money in the long run as frequent cleanings prevent significant buildup and keep the gutters in good condition;
  5. Additional requests – If you need extra services, like cleaning the downpipes or repairs, then expect to the roof and gutter cleaning cost to rise a bit.

How to reduce the gutter cleaning costs?

This service is not cheap, no doubt about that. Fortunately, you can do something to lower the house gutter cleaning cost, such as…

Look for off-season promotions

Many companies offer discounts during slower periods, such as late winter or early spring. For example, a local service might offer a 20% discount in February to attract more customers.

Get bundle services

Many businesses provide package deals that reduce the overall cost compared to booking each service separately. So, combine gutter cleaning with window cleaning, for example. Your windows probably need to be washed anyway.

Referral programs or loyalty rewards

For example, a gutter cleaning company might offer a £20 discount for every new customer you refer or give a 10% discount after your fifth service. This is definitely something worth investigating. 

Choose annual or semiannual maintenance plans

These plans usually come with discounted rates. For instance, signing up for a bi-annual gutter cleaning plan might save you 15% compared to single, one-off cleanings.

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Should you clean your gutters yourself?

It’s tempting to try and do all the work yourself, but you might want to think again. Let’s start with the investment in equipment and a price breakdown.

  • A sturdy, extendable ladder suitable for reaching your gutters costs between £50 and £150;
  • Gloves, safety glasses, and a harness for higher buildings cost between £30 and £70;
  • A gutter scoop, garden hose, and a bucket cost between £20 and £40;
  • A gutter cleaning attachment for the hose is optional but useful, costing between £10 and £30.

The total investment for these DIY tools can be a significant upfront cost. It ranges from £110 to £290, but that’s not all that you invest in.

Consider your time and labour. Depending on the size of your house, expect to spend anywhere from 2 to 4 hours on a single cleaning session. It’s also laborious, as you need to climb ladders, scoop debris, and wash out the gutters. You save on professional fees, certainly, but you waste time and put in a lot of physical effort.

On the other hand, professionals always start with a thorough inspection to spot issues like leaks or blockages, then remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. After that, they flush out the gutters for proper water flow and often carry out minor repairs. 

Safety is a key benefit, as they have the right equipment and experience to minimise the risk of accidents. They also complete the job efficiently and thoroughly. Doing it yourself, on the other hand, carries significant risks, including the possibility of serious injury from falls. This risk is even higher if you lack experience.

 Not only that, but the task is physically demanding and time-consuming, which can be overwhelming if you’re not accustomed to such work. Moreover, improper cleaning can leave debris behind or fail to identify gutter issues, leading to water damage and costly repairs.

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How often do gutters need to be cleaned?

You should get your gutters professionally cleaned at least twice each year. In this line of thought, the following question comes to mind…

What time of year is best for gutter cleaning?

Spring and autumn are ideal for cleaning gutters. After winter, they are often full of debris. When you clean them in spring, you prepare them for the upcoming rainy season.

Fall is the prime time for gutter cleaning because by then, the gutters are full of twigs, leaves and dirt as if you’ve never cleaned them. When you clean the gutters before winter, you avoid blockages that can lead to ice dams and water damage.

Storms can fill your gutters with debris, so always check them after a significant atmospheric disturbance.

All this talk about leaves and twigs begs the question do you need to clean your gutters if there are no trees around? The answer is yes. Leaves, dirt, and other debris can still find their way into gutters thanks to the wind. Furthermore, over time, granules from roof shingles can wash into gutters and lead to blockages. And lastly, birds and small animals may build nests in your gutters which can lead to to clogs.

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How do you tell if the gutters are clogged?

Water spills over the gutter sides during a rainstorm? They’re likely clogged. Clogs block water flow, causing overflow. Leaks at the seams or joints mean the same thing.

Clogged gutters also sag due to trapped debris and water weight.

What happens if you don’t clean your gutters?

Oh, you wonder how long you can neglect the problem and why is it so bad if you ignore it? Well, the longer you postpone it, the higher the chance of problems. 

The most common one is, of course, water damage. When gutters are clogged with moss, leaves, twigs, seeds, and bird guano, water can overflow and leak. This will cause damage to your house foundations, basements, and crawlspaces.

Pest problems are also something to look out for. Blocked gutters create a perfect breeding ground for insects, small lizards, frogs, bacteria, and fungi. Apart from being completely gross, this is also an extra expenditure because you have to call pest control in addition to gutter cleaning.

And there’s also the stained windows issue. Overflowing gutters above windows can stain the glass which will require more cleaning efforts down the line.

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Don’t risk cleaning gutters on your own! Contact us instead

Cleaning gutters might seem like a simple task, but as you can see, it comes with its own risks and challenges. If you’ve never done this before and lack the proper equipment, then better contact professionals. This is where we at Fantastic Services come in. We work with highly experienced, trained and fully equipped professionals.

What does the service include and what should you expect from it?

  • General Inspection – We start with a thorough inspection of your gutters and surrounding area, complete with before photos to document their condition;
  • Debris removal – The team will remove all debris, including leaves, twigs, and any other blockages;
  • Clean-up – We clean up any air-blown debris around your property so your yard looks as good as it did before we arrived;
  • Debris disposal – All the cleaned-out debris is collected in bags and properly disposed of, so you don’t have to worry about it;
  • After photos – Once the job is done, we take after photos so you can see the results for yourself.

What should you do before the service takes place?

  1. Provide access to an electrical outlet – The technician has to power the gutter cleaning machine from somewhere;
  2. Secure a parking spot close to your home – This is important because the equipment we use is heavy, and closer parking makes the process more efficient;
  3. Provide access to both the front and back entrances – This will allow thorough cleaning of all gutters;
  4. Remove gutter guards –  If your gutters have guards, you need to remove them so they won’t get in the way.

How long does gutter cleaning take?

The duration of our gutter cleaning service depends on the type and size of your property. Here’s an estimate of the average time required:

Terraced house – Approximately 1 hour;

End-of-terraced house – Around 1 hour and 30 minutes;

Semi-detached house – About 2 hours;

Detached house – The time varies based on size, ranging from 1 to 4 hours.

The more you wait, the more dirt accumulates in your gutters.

Book professional gutter cleaning today and be done with it!

Add a valid postcode e.g. SE1 2TH

Takeaways

  • Gutter cleaning by professionals involves inspection, debris removal, flushing, and minor repairs;
  • Regular gutter maintenance prevents debris buildup, water damage, and pest problems;
  • Additional services, such as gutter repairs, downpipe cleaning and moss removal increase the overall cost;
  • Look for off-season promotions, bundle services, and maintenance plans to pay less for your gutter cleaning.
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