One of the most important structures for your home is a gutter system. Gutters protect your walls, the foundation, and the roof from water buildup, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs and replacement expenditures. When a gutter system breaks or gets damaged, homeowners should make repair a top priority. In this article, we’ll help you understand the cost of gutter repair, what drives the price, and what you can cut to keep costs low.
What Is the Average Cost of Gutter Repair?
For standard gutter repairs, you can expect to pay between $4 and $18 per linear foot of gutters, with a total project bill between $150 to $650. But that expense can vary even more, depending on the type of gutter, its materials, and the level of damage that requires repair. For example, you can get a repair for lighter materials like vinyl for as low as $50. High-quality gutters made from copper or zinc can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
What Are the Factors That Affect Gutter Repair Cost?
Consider several important factors before pricing out your gutter repair, such as gutter material, length, and damage level. Here’s how they affect the cost of your gutter repair.
Gutter Repair Cost by Material and Type
The most important factor that determines a gutter’s repair price is its material costs. It affects the price of parts to the time and skill required to fix the gutters.
Aluminum and vinyl gutter guards are usually the least expensive. They’re lightweight, easy to work with, and cheap to produce. Galvanized steel is a middle-of-the-road option, and it’s more durable and longer-lasting, but it costs more than double what vinyl costs. Zinc, copper, and wood are luxury materials — and the most expensive. But they last the longest and have the greatest aesthetic appeal.
The following table outlines how much you can expect to pay for gutter repair for each main type of material:
| Gutter Material Type | Cost Range Per Linear Foot |
| PVC or vinyl gutters | $4 – $8 |
| Aluminum gutters | $5 – $8 |
| Galvanized steel gutters | $11 – $18 |
| Copper gutters | $27+ |
| Zinc gutters | $30+ |
| Wood gutters | $33+ |
After materials, the next most important cost factor is style. A gutter’s style does more than affect its aesthetic appearance. It determines how it fits into the fascia, how well it drains water, and how easy it is to install and repair. Here’s what various styles of gutters cost to repair or replace.
| Gutter Style | Cost Range per Linear Foot |
| K-style | $9 – $17 |
| Half round | $10 – $19 |
| Box gutters | $18 – $127 |
Gutter Repair Cost by Length
The length of your gutters also affects the material and labor costs for their repair. The average cost is typically $9 to $127 per linear foot.
Gutter Repair Cost by Damage
How damaged your gutters are determines the repair and part of the total bill. More materials and labor hours can drive up the expense.
| Damage | National Average Repair Cost |
| Minor | $150 – $300 |
| Mild | $300 – $500 |
| Significant | $500 – $650 |
Gutter Repair Cost by Location of Damage and Number of Stories
The final two elements that impact the cost of a gutter repair are the location of the damage and the number of stories of a residence. Repairs on higher stories are more difficult to get to, which means more labor hours, special equipment, and an inherently higher risk. Repairs on a two-story home are much more expensive than a one-story home.
Homes with multiple stories need more gutters. When they wear down or break, repair costs are higher.
| Number of Stories | National Average Repair Cost |
| One story | $150 – $450 |
| Two stories | $250 – $650 |
Are There Different Types of Gutter Repair?
Different types and degrees of gutter damage affect the cost to repair them. Fixing gutter drainage, sags, leaks, and pitch adjustments doesn’t cost the same. Here’s what you can expect to spend based on the type of repair.
Gutter Pitch Adjustment
You usually need this repair if your gutters were installed incorrectly. If your gutters aren’t pitched at the correct slope, they won’t drain water properly, which leads to overflows. Technicians will realign the pitch of an entire side of the gutter section, including potentially removing and replacing parts. Gutter pitch adjustment typically costs between $85 to $250.
Sagging Gutter Repairs
Over time, hangers and screws (gutter spikes) can loosen. When they do, your gutters will sag, creating a space between the fascia of your roof and gutter, letting water get to vulnerable areas of the overhang. Repairing sagging gutters can be time consuming. Depending on how many sections droop, the fix costs $75 to $300 or more.
Gutter Leak Repair
Leaks come from many causes, including cracked or broken sections, loose connectors, and dents. They’re expensive to repair because they usually require replacing the broken section or purchasing a sealant to clog the leak. You can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $230 to repair a leak.
Downspout Replacement
Clogs, heavy impacts, and hard freezes can damage downspouts. They cause cracks, bends, and dislodged or missing sections. A loose or broken downspout can lead to water pooling around the home’s foundation, creating more problems. The cost to replace the downspout depends on its material and length.
Here’s a rundown of the cost of different downspouts:
| Downspout Material | Cost Range per Linear Foot |
| Vinyl | $2 – $8 |
| Aluminum | $5 – $12 |
| Galvanized steel | $7 – $18 |
| Zinc | $9 – $20+ |
| Copper | $18 – 30+ |
| Wood | $19 – 25+ |
How Do You Know When To Replace Gutters Instead of Repairing Them?
As time passes, even the highest quality gutters degrade and fall into disrepair. As your gutters age, it may be smarter to consider replacement — why spend hundreds of dollars repairing sections when you’re going to replace the entire system in a few years? Certain factors signal you need new gutters and that your gutters are nearing the end of their life span.
Some of the most important signs your gutters may need to be replaced include:
- Sagging
- Peeling paint
- Rust
- Separating sections
- Loose spikes and fasteners
- Cracks in gutter sections
- Rot and water damage in the fascia or around the gutters
- Pooling water beneath the gutters
Is DIY Worth the Cost Savings of Repairing Gutters?
Do-it-yourself repairs for existing gutters can save you money if damage is minor. Tightening gutter screws or replacing an end cap are easy gutter repair tasks you can handle. But it’s best to hire a professional for any major gutter repair, such as replacing sections or adding a new downspout.
Serious gutter repairs are a difficult, dangerous job that can result in personal injury. Tackling it alone isn’t worth the small amount of money you’ll save. Plus, if you don’t do the job right, your gutters can leak, or damage your walls, foundation, and fascia boards.
How Do You Save on Gutter Replacement and Repair Costs?
While professional installations can be expensive, homeowners can save on repair and gutter replacement costs by doing the following:
- Clear gutters regularly: Clogged gutters lead to overflows, freezes, and pest infestations. To avoid this, homeowners should clean their gutters twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.
- Install gutter guards: Gutter guards go over the top of a gutter and protect gutters from corrosion and falling debris like leaves, twigs, pine and magnolia cones, shingles, and foreign objects. Choosing one of the best gutter guards allows you to have clean gutters with much less maintenance.
- Get regular inspections: These help you spot problems early on (before they’re too expensive to fix). If you have a one-story home, you can inspect your own gutters, but you should hire a professional for two-story or larger houses.
Gutter Guard Cost Calculator
Curious about the cost of gutter guards for your specific home? Use our calculator below to get a price estimate and connect with local professionals:
We recommend cleaning your gutters at the end of the fall and spring, just before the seasons turn over. This can ensure you remove all the debris and gunk from your gutters at once, eliminating the need for repeat cleanings.
So, Is Gutter Repair Worth It?
Rain gutter systems keep your home strong and safe. Without them, your home’s walls, foundation, and other systems can get waterlogged, leaving them vulnerable to pest and mold infestations. Damaged gutters can’t perform their primary function, which is keeping your home safe from water damage. When you spot a leak or notice your gutters sagging, hire a professional for inspection and repair.
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FAQs About Gutter Repair Costs
What is included in gutter repair services?
When signing up with a gutter repair service, technicians usually inspect your gutters, clean them, repair them, and then throw away any debris.
How can I find a reliable gutter repair service?
You can find a reliable gutter repair service by checking for local gutter contractors through a search engine, researching credentials, and obtaining multiple free quotes. After doing the research, choose the one that suits you best.
How much does it cost to repair gutters around the house?
On the low end, you can expect to pay between $4 and $8 per linear foot. High-end prices can range from $18 to more than $30. However, the national average cost of gutter repair services for a standard-size, single-story home is between $150 and $650.
