Gutter installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What gutter installation is

Gutter installation hangs new gutters and downspouts with the right slope, hangers, end caps and seams, then directs water away from the foundation. People call when a house has no gutters, when old gutters have failed beyond repair, or when a new roof or siding makes the old system a poor fit.

Signs you need it

  • Water pouring off the roof edge and splashing onto the foundation, which washes soil out at the base of the wall
  • Staining or soft wood on the fascia and rim boards below the roof edge
  • Cracks or puddles in the soil beside the foundation after rain
  • Dampness on basement or crawlspace walls near the corners where water lands
  • An existing system that is missing sections, has no downspouts, or drains onto the ground next to the house

What the pro does

  • Measure each roof run and mark the slope line on the fascia so the gutter drains toward the downspouts
  • Install the hangers at the spacing the gutter profile needs, starting at the high point of each run
  • Cut the gutter sections to length, install end caps and inside and outside corners, and seal each joint with gutter sealant
  • Set the downspout outlets and elbows, then fasten the downspouts to the wall with straps at the spacing the material requires
  • Connect each downspout to an extension, splash block or underground line, then run water through the system to test the flow and the slope

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total gutter length, the number of corners, and the number of downspouts needed
  • Gutter material and profile, such as aluminum, steel or copper, and its thickness
  • Fascia condition, since soft or rotted fascia must be repaired before new hangers go on
  • Eave height and access for ladders or lifts on two-story and steep homes
  • Removal and disposal of the old gutters
  • Downspout extensions, underground drain connections or splash blocks that move water away from the foundation
  • Gutter guards or leaf protection added to the same install

What a written quote should spell out

  • Gutter material, profile, color and thickness, with the manufacturer named if one is used
  • Length of each run and the count of corners, end caps and outlets
  • Hanger type and spacing, and whether hidden or face hangers are used
  • Downspout size and count, and where each downspout discharges
  • Fascia repair if soft wood is found, shown as its own line
  • Haul-away of the old gutters and cleanup of nails, fasteners and debris

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you set the slope, and how do you check it after the install?
  • What hanger type do you use on my fascia, and how far apart will the hangers be?
  • Where will each downspout discharge, and will the water move well away from the foundation?
  • What do you do if the fascia is soft once the old gutters come off?
  • Can you match the gutter color to my trim and siding?
  • Who is on the ladder, and how do you keep the crew safe at my roof edge?
  • Will you run a hose through the finished system and show me the water reaching each outlet?

Red flags

  • No slope marked on the fascia, or a run that looks level, which will hold water
  • Hangers spaced far apart or only nailed to the fascia edge, with no stated hanger method
  • Downspouts that dump onto a driveway, patio or against the foundation with no extensions
  • Pressure to sign for a set footage without measuring the house
  • No gutter sealant listed for the joints and end caps

What you can do yourself

You can safely walk the perimeter from the ground and note where water hits the foundation and where downspouts discharge. You can also check the soil slope and add a downspout extension at ground level to a downspout that is already in place. Installing gutters means ladders, long metal sections and roof-edge work, so leave the install to a pro, and call one for any gutter that is pulling away, rotted or unable to drain.

Licenses and permits

Gutter installation is commonly done by general exterior contractors, and licensing rules differ by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office if the work changes the roof edge or the drainage plan.

Gutter installation questions

Are seamless gutters better than sectional gutters?

Seamless gutters have fewer joints that can leak, but the installer must form the run on site, so the crew and equipment matter. Ask the pro how the seams are made and sealed.

Do gutters have to connect to underground drains?

Not always. A downspout extension or splash block may be enough when the grade slopes away from the house. An underground line helps when water pools near the foundation. A pro should check the grade first.

How do I know what gutter size I need?

The size depends on the roof area draining to each run, the roof pitch and the rainfall where you live. Ask the installer to explain how they sized the system.

Will new gutters work with my existing fascia?

Often, if the fascia is sound. Soft or rotted fascia must be repaired first, because the hangers have to hold in solid wood.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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