When your gutters are clear, it’s smooth sailing. But if they become clogged with leaves and other debris, you can face a slew of problems ranging from ice buildup to foundation damage.

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Cleaning gutters is an important part of exterior home maintenance. This guide should help you figure out how much it’ll cost.

Average Gutter Cleaning Costs

According to HomeGuide, cleaning your gutters can cost between $70 and $275 (CAD 95 and CAD 374) for a one-story or two-story home, with the cost increasing for every additional story.

The cost of cleaning downspouts ranges from $50 to $100 (CAD 68 to CAD 136) per spout, according to data from Forbes.

Cost Per Linear Foot

The easiest and most accurate model for estimating how much it costs to clean your gutters is calculating the total length, in feet, of your gutters. Traditionally, many gutter-cleaning service providers charge between $0.50 and $1.50 (CAD 0.68 and CAD 2.04) per linear foot for single-story houses and between $0.75 and $2 (CAD 1.02 and CAD 2.72) per linear foot for a two-story home.

Cost Factors

Several factors affect the cost, including the number of floors your home has, the length and condition of your gutters, any modifications you may have made to them and any repairs that may be necessary alongside the cleaning job.

Gutter Length

When estimating how much you'll pay to clean your gutters, consider both the length of your gutters and the total square footage of your home. When calculating the length, in feet, of your gutters, multiply it by $1 (CAD 1.36) for a single-story home and $1.37 (CAD 1.86) for a two-story home. These figures provide a midway cost per linear foot, but you could pay slightly more or less depending on the cost of labor where you live.

Otherwise, consider your home's square footage to calculate gutter cleaning costs. Exclude the areas with no gutters — and multiply the total square footage by $0.40 (CAD 0.54) for first-story gutters and $0.80 (CAD 1.09) for higher stories.

Of the two methods most useful for estimating gutter-cleaning costs — linear length and square footage — the square footage method is less accurate because some areas of the home, such as pool enclosures, decks and patios, may not have gutters.

Height of Your House

Height is among the main factors that influence the cost of cleaning your gutters. Cleaning gutters for a single-story home costs $70 to $200 (CAD 95 to CAD 272) on average and $100 to $275 (CAD 136 to CAD 374) on average for a two-story home. Expect to pay between $130 and $400 (CAD 177 and CAD 543) for a three-story home.

If your home is more than two stories high, cleaning your gutters could cost an extra $20 to $50 (CAD 27 to CAD 68). This price covers the additional equipment required, such as extended ladders, as well as risk factors, including a steeper roof incline.

Seamed or Seamless Metal

The cost of cleaning seamed and seamless gutter metal is similar. The difference comes in the accompanying repairs that may be necessary. According to Architectural Digest, repairing seamed gutters costs between $100 and $250 (CAD 136 and CAD 340) on average. The cost of repairing seamless gutters is slightly more, costing between $150 and $300 (CAD 204 and CAD 308) on average.

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Gutter Condition

The less frequently you clean your gutters, the higher the cost will be because dirt, debris and leaves build up in the gutters over time. Removing a heavy buildup will require more extensive work, which translates to a higher cost. For that reason, we recommend hiring a professional to clean your gutters each season — or being consistent about doing it yourself.

Additional Work

In addition to cleaning, your gutters may need some repair and maintenance work. For example, a cleaning professional may tighten fasteners for sagging gutters. They may also replace gutter guards and reseal some outlets. This additional work may involve the purchase of new parts and increase the cost of labor.

You can install gutter guards so you don’t have to clean your gutters as frequently. On average, you may have to spend about $15 to $45 (CAD 20 to CAD 61) per linear foot on gutter guards.

Here, you may want to do your own personal cost-benefit analysis, weighing the price (materials and labor) of replacing gutter guards and the price of repairing gutters that don't have gutter guards.

Cleaning and Installation of Downspouts

The most expensive aspect of a gutter-cleaning job tends to be cleaning downspouts. On average, the price of unclogging your downspouts ranges between $50 and $100 (CAD 68 and CAD 136) per job. Depending on the materials you choose, the installation of downspouts costs around $120 per unit.

Likewise, depending on the materials chosen, it may cost you $5 to $15 (CAD 7 to CAD 20) to install downspout extenders, based on data from Forbes. This aspect of gutter cleaning is well worth the investment because it ensures water drains into the yard rather than into the foundation of your home.

How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?

You should clean your gutters after every season — meaning at least three times every year. Naturally, much of the heavy cleaning work will be in the spring and fall, with summer cleaning usually involving only light work. Cleaning your gutters three times a year ensures they remain in good condition and saves you money on repairs.

When Should You Clean Gutters?

Clean your gutters in the last month of the fall season to make sure they’re ready for the buildup that occurs during the winter months. Doing so prevents the accumulation and subsequent freezing of dirt, debris and leaves. As a result, you prevent your draining system from becoming blocked during the spring.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.