How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost? [2024]

Gutter cleaning is an essential part of house maintenance that can be easy to overlook as it’s not always in our direct line of sight. If forgotten about, gutters can quickly become blocked with leaves, sticks and debris which can cause water to pool and overflow. The last thing you want is water coming in through your roof while you’re hunkering down during the wet season. 

Getting your gutters cleaned regularly can protect you from the chances of water coming in through your roof, steering you clear of the pain of water damage and saving you money down the line. Gutter cleaning costs depend on several factors, so read this article for all the information you need to know about gutter cleaning. 

• How much does gutter cleaning cost?
• How do gutter cleaners calculate their rates?
• How to tell if your gutters need to be cleaned
• How often should I have my gutters cleaned?
• What else do gutter cleaners do?
• Can I DIY my gutter clean? 
• How to choose the right gutter cleaning service

How much does gutter cleaning cost?

Gutter cleaning can cost anywhere from $100 - $600 with the average cost of $150 for a one-storey house. Expect to pay a gutter cleaner around $4 - $7 per metre or $200 - $250 per hour. 

Some general averages for gutter cleaning costs on different houses are: 

• Single story house (2 – 3 bedrooms): $250 - $350
• Single story house (4 bedroom): $350 - $450 
• 2-story house (2 -3 bedrooms): $350 - $500
• 2-story house (4 bedroom): $400 - $600

If you have gutter guards, you should factor in an extra $250 - $600 onto the above costs. 

There will also be some variations depending on the state you live in. Some examples of average job cost per state include:

• New South Wales (NSW): $150 - $240 
• Queensland: $150 - $200 
• Western Australia: $140 - $240
• Victoria: $100 - $580 
• South Australia: $110 - $150

How do gutter cleaners calculate their rates?

There are a lot of factors that gutter cleaners consider when they quote a job. Get as much information about what you will need before you contact your gutter cleaner so they can give you a more accurate quote. 

In general, quotes will change depending on how much work the cleaner will have to do. Things that gutter cleaners usually consider when quoting on a job include: 

Size of roof and length of gutters

The most obvious consideration is how much needs to be cleaned. A large house will be more expensive than a small house with significantly fewer gutters. 

Likewise, two-storey buildings can change the nature of the job and will often cost more than one-storey houses. This is due to added safety concerns and different equipment being required. 

In scenarios where the building is taller than two storeys, the cleaner may require scissor lifts and extra protective gear, which will cost more.

The debris that needs to be cleared

A gutter with far more rubbish to be cleared will be harder for the cleaner and the price will change accordingly. Keep in mind that they will take into account more than just how blocked the gutter is but also how hard it is to remove the block. A gutter packed with compressed dirt will be harder to clean than a gutter blocked with loose sticks.

Gutter guards

If you have gutter guards on your home, they will need to be removed before the cleaner can start working through the debris in your actual gutters. To prevent any damage, gutter cleaning professionals are trained to remove them carefully and put them back after the job is complete.  It’s important to note that while gutter guards are usually installed to stop your gutter from clogging, they are not perfect and your gutter will always need to be cleaned eventually. Their purpose is to stop the big things from blocking your drain but dust and dirt can still get through.

Safety 

While many aspects of what makes a gutter cleaning job will revolve around the amount of work that is required to complete the job, another consideration that gutter cleaners consider is safety.

Roofs with high angles are riskier than flat ones, corrugated roofing can have soft spots that the cleaner could fall through and multi-storey houses can require specialised equipment.

All of these factors will determine the cost of your gutter cleaning job and the more information you can provide them about your needs, the more accurate your quote will be. Get quotes from a few gutter cleaners and compare them, but remember you won't get a firm quote until they have an opportunity to inspect the property.

How to tell if your gutters need to be cleaned

If you can’t remember the last time your gutters were cleaned or if you only recently moved in, you may be unsure whether your gutters need to be cleaned. Though a good policy will always be to get it done when you’re in doubt, there are a few signs that you can look for so you don’t wind up spending money unnecessarily. These include:

• Rainwater overflowing from the gutters 
• Sagging gutters
• Damp or stained walls 
• Small animals like birds frequently going into your gutters
• Plants growing out of your gutters
• Damaged or cracked walls

If you’re noticing any of these then it’s a good idea to get your gutters cleaned as soon as possible.

How often should you have your gutters cleaned?

Where you live and how many trees surround your house will be the factors that influence how regularly you should get your gutters cleaned. Leaves, sticks and dust all collect on your roof and will often end up in your gutters. As they decompose, they will generally compress and build up in your gutters.

Having gutters cleaned regularly will extend their life because leaves in guttering can shorten the length of time guttering lasts. Flies and mosquitoes can breed in small pools so having your gutters cleaned can reduce the number of flying pests on your property.

As a good rule of thumb, have your gutters cleaned at least once a year. If you live in an area that has lots of trees, it might be best to get your gutters cleaned twice a year. Likewise, if you live in an area with lots of dust – like near factories, mines or other industries – you may want to clear your gutters out more regularly too. 

What else can gutter cleaners do?

Gutter cleaners can do more than just clean gutters. A full-service gutter cleaner can also:

• Clear the roof and check for damaged tiles
• Install gutter guards
• Repair roofs
• Flush out the downpipes
• Give a roof condition report
• Bird-proof your guttering if needed
• Clean a ceiling cavity

Some gutter cleaners also offer window cleaning, outdoor cleaning and other outdoor jobs. Not all gutter tradies do all these jobs, so always ask your tradie if they offer this service, and be specific about other jobs you might want done in tandem with gutter cleaning. 

It will be less expensive to have one service do several types of jobs as they can roll it all in together rather than several services each coming out to your property to work. This kills multiple birds with one stone and reduces any fees or rates for travel and setup time. 

Should I DIY my gutter clean?

Gutter cleaning can be dangerous, so it’s always recommended to bring a professional in for the job instead of attempting to DIY. This is because gutter cleaning professionals are trained with proper safety protocols and have safety equipment specifically for the job.

It’s especially important not to DIY if your house is on a slope or if it’s higher than two storeys. Even if your house is level and one storey, it can often be more economical to get a professional in to ensure the job is done properly and eliminate your risk of injury.

A professional service can also do much more for you. They’re trained to notice defects in the roofing and whether you need gutter guards, and they know how to install them properly.

How to choose the right gutter cleaning service

For your satisfaction, and the general health of your gutters - it’s important that you choose the right tradie for your job.

As mentioned above, if you’re looking to get multiple things done aside from gutter cleaning, we recommend going with a tradie that can do those jobs too. For example, If you want your windows washed and some roof repairs at the same time, you’ll likely save money by going with one business instead of multiple.

Gutter cleaning services don't require a trade licence, but they should be professional. When getting quotes from tradies, you should check that they have the following: 

• Adequate insurance
• A record of good service
• A good safety record
• Certificates to work at heights for all employees

You don't want an accident on your property and a good service will take all necessary safety precautions. Certificates prove they have been trained to work at heights and take all necessary safety precautions.

You also want to know how soon they can come to your home and clean the gutters and any other jobs. A good service will have trained staff who can come quickly and do all necessary jobs quickly and efficiently. Good gutter cleaners often take before and after photos of the gutters so you can see for yourself how well they have done.  

Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.