How Much Does It Cost to Install Aluminum Gutters?

Average Cost to Install Aluminum Gutters

Aluminum Gutter Materials Prices

In addition to the gutters themselves, you will need to purchase things like lag screws, brackets, sealant and a hacksaw, to name a few items. Here are the prices you can expect to pay for those materials:

• Aluminum gutters: $1–$2 per linear foot

• Hacksaw: $10–$25

• Drill: $40–$150

• Screwdriver: $10–$20

• Lag screws: $40–$60 for 100

• Gutter hangers/brackets: $20–$40 for 10

• Gutter sealant: $5–$20 per 10-ounce tube

Keep in mind you may pay more for seamless gutters, which are also more difficult to install than sectional gutters.

Aluminum Gutter Installation Cost

Gutter installation professionals charge about $75 an hour, and it will take them about 10 to 12 hours to install 200 linear feet on a moderately sized house. So, that means you can expect to pay about $800 to $1,000 on average for the labor costs, and the remaining $800 or so for materials: $200 to $400 for the aluminum gutters themselves, and another $400 or more for other materials like screws, brackets and downspouts.

Aluminum Gutter Installation Cost Factors

So, what are the most significant cost drivers for this job? Basically, they boil down to three things: the size of your home, whether you hire a professional and if you want to put in some gutter guards to reduce gutter maintenance.

Size of Home

The size of your home determines how many linear feet of gutters you need. A good rule of thumb is to use your home’s footprint. So, if your home measures 40 feet lengthwise and has a width of 30 feet, you’d add all four sides up to get a figure of 140 linear feet of gutters. Another way to calculate it is by estimating one linear foot of gutters for every 10 to 12 square feet of home size (although, if your home has multiple stories, this may skew the results).

DIY or Contract It Out

Since much of this project involves labor costs, you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. For an average job that typically costs $1,800, for example, you could save nearly half those costs by just purchasing the materials and doing it yourself. Of course, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t do that, but it’s an option.

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards cost anywhere between $0.50 per linear foot to $6.50 per linear foot. The latter cost refers to “gutter helmets” that are especially effective at keeping debris out. Gutter guards keep leaves and debris from building up in your gutters, which means you have a cleaner flow of water, and you don’t have to perform as much maintenance on your gutters (the average cost to clean gutters is about $160 a pop).

Because the cost of gutter guard installation can be comparable to the cost of installing the gutters themselves, this will add a significant amount of cost to your project.

DIY vs. Hire a Gutter Installation Pro

Aluminum gutter installation doesn’t necessarily require a professional. And, if you’re a person who enjoys home projects, this may be the perfect one to take on. If you have the experience and the tools, it might end up being the best option.

But for most homeowners, hiring a professional is the best idea for a few reasons. There are the safety risks, since you’ll work up on a ladder, and then there’s the fact that you may damage your roof by installing the gutters incorrectly—no need to add the cost of repairing your roof to the cost of installing gutters twice.

Then there’s the fact that this project will take up your entire weekend. Not everyone enjoys hard, backbreaking work in the hot sun for hour after hour. As a result, hiring someone just makes sense. Contact a gutter installation professional near you for an estimate on how much the job will cost. It may not be as much as you think.

FAQs

How much does it cost to put gutters on a 1,500-square-foot house?

A typical 1,500-square-foot house will require about 160 linear feet of gutters. Based on the typical price range for aluminum gutters quoted above, it will cost you between $1,000 and $1,900 to have aluminum gutters installed, with an average price of about $1,400.

Which is better, vinyl or aluminum gutters?

Aluminum gutters will last longer than vinyl gutters and withstand more extreme weather conditions (like steel and copper gutters). In contrast, vinyl gutters are more inexpensive and may be ideal for those who live in mild climates. The best gutters for you will depend on your situation, but aluminum gutters will last for decades and resist corrosion, so they’re the best choice if that’s a priority for you. Of course, if your main goal is to prevent water damage, they both do a great job at protecting your home during heavy rainfall.

Do I need gutters around my entire house?

You don't necessarily need gutters installed around your home’s entire perimeter, just at the bottom of slopes on your roof where water concentrates during a rainstorm. As a result, certain types of roofs may require less linear footage of gutters.

Should I get 5-inch or 6-inch gutters?

Even at just an inch wider, a 6-inch gutter can handle 50% more water, so if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, the wider gutters may be a better choice for you.

Is it hard to install your own gutters?

Yes, an extensive gutter replacement that involves taking out old gutters and installing new gutters is hard work and more complicated than you think. Also, you may not know where to install gutters or what type of gutters would be best for your home. That's why you should contact multiple professionals for consultations and quotes.