How Much Does it Cost to Put Up Gutters – Types and Prices

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Installing or replacing your gutter system can seem like a pretty hefty undertaking, but it us a very necessary one.  The gutter system is specifically designed to collect and lead water away from the house, and most importantly the foundation.  Without gutters water will drain down the side of your house and settle around the foundation, causing erosion of the the soil and eventually cracks until the foundation wall.  The same thing can happen if your gutters are clogged or damage. Leaves and other debris will enter the gutter system, altering or stopping the water flow which can lead to damage of the gutter system and the drainage of water along the house.  This is why no matter the cost, it is always a good idea to keep your gutter system maintained and if necessary, replace them. Here we will take a look at the different types of gutter systems and their cost.

 

Picture Showing How Much Does it Cost to Put Up Gutters

Galvanized Aluminum Gutters: Aluminum gutters will range in price from $4 to $6 per foot.  These gutters run more toward the middle of the cost spectrum, yet they still hold a lot of advantages.  Aluminum gutters are durable, and can be used as fascia boards. They require very little maintenance and can withstand extreme temperatures both hot and cold.  Although they can hold up to extreme temperatures, a rapid change in temperature will cause cracks. And as with some other gutters, they do clog very easily with fallen leaves and other debris so it is always a good idea to add gutter guards to the cost of any gutter system. Different type of gutter guards are available according to your need like the trees around your house. When it comes to pine needles, you need guard screens with smaller openings.

 

Vinyl Gutters: Vinyl gutters are the least expensive, costing as little as $4 to $8 per foot,  rarely do the more expensive options cost any more than $8. Vinyl gutters are an affordable and lightweight option, coming in a variety of colors.  One major downfall of vinyl is that they are not durable in cold weather, and can in fact snap when temperature drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Copper Gutters: Copper gutters are the highest quality gutters available on the market but that comes at a cost.  They run between $15 on up to $25 per foot. Copper is the most durable gutter, and while it is the most expensive, they do have a much longer lifespan.  They are also made from nearly 40% previously recycled material, meaning there is less wasted involved in the manufacturing. Also, copper is a material that many people like to steal, so it can be can be a fairly risky proposition to keep in your house.

 

Steel: Steel gutters are the next step up from Vinyl or Aluminum, and run between $4 and $8 a foot.  These gutters are a great choice if you need a gutter that can hold a lot of weight. This is especially helpful if you live in a house that is surrounded by a lot of trees or sees a lot of rain.  Due to its ability to hold more weight, they do not need to be cleaned as often, though it is still recommended to clean them. But, like all steel it can rust overtime so you will need to keep a constant eye on the gutters.

 

Let’s break it down and take a look at an approximate cost for installing gutters.  You have a house that requires a gutter system of around 100 feet. The type of gutters you have picked is a K style aluminum gutter system.  The price of materials will run you between $401 and $493, when ordering a 100 feet of gutter, you will want to add in a few extra feet for the supplies due to any cuts that may need to be made or any other issues that may arise.  For the labor you will be looking between about $250 and $390. The labor for gutter installs should entail favorable site conditions, layout, fabrication and security of rain gutters to roof. Also consider adding gutter guards. It is also necessary to set the proper drainage slope.  Sealing the corners and edges as well as any preparation,protection, setup and cleanup of materials.

 

The total cost using the above example should be somewhere between $680 and $907.   It is also important to take into account that there will be a fee for the removal of the gutters that are presently on the house, which will run somewhere between  about $81 and $177. So if you are looking into replacing your gutters, it is a good idea to aim on the higher end of the estimate. That way you can make sure you get the best service and materials, without having any surprises in the end.