Gutters guides
What new gutters, gutter guards or a repair cost, how the types and materials compare, and how to hire an installer, for homeowners anywhere in the United States.
- 10 gutter guides
- Written for homeowners anywhere in the U.S.
- Updated October 2026
Start here
- Can bad gutters damage your foundation or basement?Yes. Gutters that overflow, leak or empty beside the house put roof water in the soil at the foundation. Signs to check, distances to aim for, and when drainage work is the fix.
- How much do downspouts and downspout extensions cost?$1,099 – $2,000Downspout installation runs about $1,099 to $2,000 per job (Fixr); extensions cost $2 to $17 and an underground drain $15 to $35 a foot. Sizes, count and discharge distance.
- How much does gutter cleaning cost, and how often?$125 – $250Gutter cleaning costs about $120 to $320 a visit, or $0.95 to $2.25 a foot, rising with each storey. Prices by height and length, what is included, how often.
- How much does gutter repair cost, and when to replace?$150 – $650Gutter repair costs about $150 to $650, or $4 to $30 a foot for labor. Prices by fault, material and height, plus when repair stops making sense.
What it costs
- How much do downspouts and downspout extensions cost?Downspout installation runs about $1,099 to $2,000 per job (Fixr); extensions cost $2 to $17 and an underground drain $15 to $35 a foot. Sizes, count and discharge distance.Updated
- How much does gutter cleaning cost, and how often?Gutter cleaning costs about $120 to $320 a visit, or $0.95 to $2.25 a foot, rising with each storey. Prices by height and length, what is included, how often.Updated
Types and materials
- Which gutter material is best: aluminum, steel or copper?Aluminum is the usual pick at about $6 to $20 a foot installed. Steel resists dents, vinyl is cheapest, copper and zinc cost $20 to $50 and last decades.Updated
- Which type of gutter guard is right for your house?Mesh, micro-mesh, foam, brush and reverse-curve guards each miss something. Match the type to your trees, roof and snow, and see what each costs per foot.Updated
Repairs and problems
- Can bad gutters damage your foundation or basement?Yes. Gutters that overflow, leak or empty beside the house put roof water in the soil at the foundation. Signs to check, distances to aim for, and when drainage work is the fix.Updated
- How much does gutter repair cost, and when to replace?Gutter repair costs about $150 to $650, or $4 to $30 a foot for labor. Prices by fault, material and height, plus when repair stops making sense.Updated
- What are the signs you need new gutters?Cracks, sagging runs, rust, pooling water and stained siding mean gutters may need replacing. Repair costs $194 to $643; a typical gutter lasts about 20 to 25 years.Updated
- Why are my gutters leaking or sagging, and how to fix them?Leaking and sagging gutters usually come from clogs, failed seams, loose hangers or rot behind them. Repairs run about $194 to $643; see when to replace.Updated
- Why are my gutters overflowing, and who fixes it?Gutters overflow from clogs, wrong slope, too few or too small downspouts, undersized gutters or roof valleys. Slope is about 1/4 inch per 10 feet; here is who fixes what.Updated