Gutter guards prevent your gutters from clogging with leaves and debris. It's important to keep them clear for multiple reasons. Firstly, all that piled up dirt is unsanitary and can cause mold and mildew issues indoors and outside. Secondly, prolonged clogs will damage the structure of the gutters and maybe even your house. But choosing a gutter guard requires some thought and consideration. Picking the first model you come across will probably leave you unsatisfied with the performance of the guards, and there's also the installation cost to consider.
Here, we've broken down the factors that determine the cost of gutter guard installation: material, design, brand, professional versus self-installation, and more. If you're looking for our favorite gutter guard products, you can find those reviews in our gutter guard buying guide.
Our Top Choice - LeafFilter
Our top choice in gutter guards isn't the cheapest but the most reliable. Their professional installers clean and align your gutters prior to being installed, which is super important for gutter guards to last. It's one of the most durable products on the market comprised of stainless steel. Included in the package is a transferable lifetime warranty. To top it off we have a 10% discount link below.
What Is the Average Cost of Gutter Guard Installation?
Perforated aluminum gutter guards are generally more effective for areas with a lot of fall leaf-drop and rain.
Gutter guard installation is no minor expense. The average cost for installing gutter guards is $1,350 to $1,700, but the prices can go as low as $450 (assuming your house is small and you install the product yourself) or as high as $3,800 or more for larger homes with high-end gutter guards and professional installation.
Why the huge range? The average cost applies to installing about 200 feet worth of mesh cover and extensions. The high-end prices are most likely to be paid by homeowners looking to install surface tension guards, extension, and downspout screens. The lowest ranges are self-installed PVC or aluminum guards on small homes.
Factors That Increase Costs
The most important factor, pricewise, is the material. In general, the average cost of installing gutter guards varies from $3 per foot to $20 per foot, and the construction material is the biggest influence that shifts the price.
Materials such as vinyl, foam, or mesh are generally easier to work with, so installing gutter guards made from these materials will be closer to the lower end of this price interval.
A steel eaves comb installed over ceramic tile will be a more expensive option than most gutter guards, but might be appropriate for areas with heavy rainfall, lots of trees, and significant snowfall in winter.
Materials such as steel are more durable, perform better, and are consequently more expensive. They also cost more to install.
You might be wondering what type of material is best for your home. If you are often faced with snow and ice, you want to choose heavy-duty gutter guards, such as those made from perforated aluminum. If you live in an area with significant foliage drop in fall, you might have better luck with mesh than an area with ice.
Gutter Guard Installation Companies
There are three common ways for you to get your gutter guards installed. Naturally, each of these three methods is going to end up in a different installation cost, so here is what you should know:
The first option is to install the gutter guards by yourself. However, depending on the type chosen, there are limitations to this method, and certain types of gutter guards may be very difficult to install if you're not a handy person. Some gutter guards come with installation instructions, but even so, you have to be careful.
You can hire a professional service that specializes in installing gutter guards. You buy the product from a particular seller and then contact another company to provide the installation services. This will cost you more compared to the low cost of installing the gutter guards yourself.
Professional installation of a custom product is by far the most expensive option, but it may also be the best option for homes in areas with a lot of ice and rain, elaborate roofing designs, and high, hard-to-reach gutters.
The third method is the pro installation of a proprietary product. This is the most expensive method of all. Some companies make and sell gutter guards, and they also provide professional installation in exchange for a substantial fee.
There are plenty of online directories that will help you identify gutter guard installation companies in your area. All you have to do is Google these websites and enter your zip code. The system will then identify the companies that cover the area where you live, so you can get a clear picture of what companies offer the services you're interested in.
Can I Install Gutter Guards Myself?
It is possible to install your own gutter guards, but it's important to follow safety and installation guidelines.
Yes, it is possible to install a gutter guard by yourself, but you're going to need a few tools to see the process through. You need to know your way around these tools, and being a handyman is often very helpful. If you choose to tackle this task on your own, here are some tips that might help:
You need to have all the installation instructions before you start working. Sometimes, the instructions can be a little too confusing, and you will find yourself in a situation where you can't finish the project.
There are certain situations where you might not be able to install the gutter guards yourself. For instance, some gutter guards are custom-made, and only professionals can install them.
Snap-on gutter guards are probably the easiest to install yourself. Their lock-in mechanisms are easy to work with, and they are also one of the least expensive options on the market. Also, they don't require power tools, hammers, or screwdrivers. However, they do have limitations and might not be the best solution to protect your home's gutter system.
Some gutter guards are designed to rest inside the gutter itself, and that is another category that you should be able to work with easily. They usually take the shape of foam inserts that you cut and place inside the gutters, which is a super easy task.
For a more detailed look at installing your own gutter guards, check out our guide to installing gutter guards.
Gutter Guard Installation Wrapped Up
Finding the right gutter guards is important for your home's safety and integrity, but they also make your life easier by facilitating the gutter cleaning process. However, the installation process can be a little tricky when you're on a budget, as professionals that offer their services in this regard can be quite expensive. If you purchase a simple gutter guard system, you might be able to install it all by yourself with ease. Otherwise, it's recommended to call a professional, especially if you're not sure you'll be able to handle climbing up on a ladder and working with tools in an uncomfortable position.