By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
The 2026 gutter cleaning cost averages about $275 per visit, with most quotes between $100 and $450, according to This Old House’s gutter cleaning cost guide (updated June 17, 2026): $100 to $250 for a one-story home, $180 to $360 for two stories, and $210 to $450 for three stories. Per linear foot, HomeWyse estimates $1.10 to $1.35 (January 2026) and Taskrabbit puts most jobs at $0.80 to $2.00 (October 1, 2026). Height drives the price more than anything else, and a once- or twice-a-year schedule matched to your trees beats a four-visit subscription on most homes.
The short version
- 2026 service pricing (This Old House): $100 to $250 one story, $180 to $360 two story, $210 to $450 three story; $275 national average per visit.
- Per linear foot: $0.95 to $1.25 one story, $1.00 to $1.85 two story, $1.25 to $2.25 three story (This Old House); $1.10 to $1.35 (HomeWyse, January 2026).
- Frequency: This Old House says at least twice a year on average, and about once a year with gutter guards; Taskrabbit recommends 1 to 3 times a year, usually spring and fall.
- The iRobot Looj gutter robot was discontinued in 2017, so it is a resale-only purchase.
- Price a subscription by cost per needed visit, not per visit included.
- Gutter guards cut the visits but not to zero: This Old House reports guarded gutters still need cleaning about once a year.
Gutter cleaning cost by home size (2026 prices)
Gutter cleaning prices track ladder height first and gutter length second. This Old House and Taskrabbit both price two-story and three-story homes higher because of taller ladders, harnesses, and slower setup, and OSHA’s ladder rule (29 CFR 1926.1053) is one reason: an extension ladder’s foot must sit about one quarter of its working length out from the top support, and side rails must extend at least 3 feet above an upper landing. Steep roof pitch pushes quotes toward the top of each range.
| Home type | Total cost per cleaning | Per linear foot | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 story | $100 to $250 | $0.95 to $1.25 | This Old House, June 2026 |
| 1 story | $130 to $250 | Not split by story | Taskrabbit, Oct 2026 |
| 2 stories | $180 to $360 | $1.00 to $1.85 | This Old House, June 2026 |
| 2 stories | $150 to $350 | Not split by story | Taskrabbit, Oct 2026 |
| 3 stories | $210 to $450 | $1.25 to $2.25 | This Old House, June 2026 |
| 3 stories or higher | $200 to $450+ | Not split by story | Taskrabbit, Oct 2026 |
| Any home, by length | About 100 ft: $80 to $150; 150 to 200 ft: $120 to $300; 250+ ft: $200 to $500+ | $0.80 to $2.00 | Taskrabbit, Oct 2026 |
| Any home, estimator | Varies by ZIP code | $1.10 to $1.35 | HomeWyse, Jan 2026 |
Worked example: a two-story home with 200 linear feet of gutter comes to $200 to $370 at This Old House’s $1.00 to $1.85 per foot, and $220 to $270 at HomeWyse’s $1.10 to $1.35. Taskrabbit lists add-ons that push a quote above the base price: downspout flushing $50 to $100, sealing leaks $50 to $125, minor gutter repair $75 to $200, and roof debris removal $50 to $150.
Taskrabbit’s own booking data shows how location moves the price. Gutter cleaning falls under its Yardwork category at a national average of $37 per hour, and its city table lists these averages:
| City | Avg hourly rate | Avg invoice total |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $57 | $206 |
| Washington DC | $60 | $182 |
| Seattle | $50 | $183 |
| Denver | $46 | $162 |
| Boston | $52 | $159 |
| LA and Orange County | $48 | $157 |
| SF Bay Area | $51 | $155 |
| Miami | $46 | $153 |
| Chicago | $48 | $152 |
| Austin | $44 | $136 |
The two sources measure different things: Taskrabbit’s figures are average invoices for tasks booked on its platform, while This Old House reports a $275 average per professional appointment. Either way, ask the provider for a certificate of liability insurance before anyone leans a ladder against a two-story wall.
What you actually get for the price
A standard gutter cleaning service should include four things. Anything less and you are paying for half a job:
- Manual debris removal from every gutter run. Crew climbs the ladder, scoops leaves, twigs, and packed organic matter into a bucket or bag.
- Downspout flush. A garden hose run from the top of each downspout verifies flow; Taskrabbit prices downspout flushing as a $50 to $100 add-on when it is not in the base quote.
- Visual inspection of gutter condition. Notes on sagging hangers, separated joints, fascia staining, or shingle damage visible from the gutter line.
- Debris haulaway. HomeWyse’s estimate includes a separate line for loading, hauling, and disposing of debris, so ask whether it is in your price.
Confirm these four items in writing before you book, because a low base price that skips the flush can cost $50 to $100 more once Taskrabbit’s add-on rates apply. Item 3 earns its keep: a tech who spots fascia staining, the early sign of fascia rot from gutters, or shingle granules piling up, a sign the roof is wearing (see roof granules in gutters), catches both before they become a repair.
The DIY toolkit that actually works
Gutter cleaning is a job most homeowners can do themselves on a one-story home with a stable ladder. Taskrabbit’s 1-story price of $130 to $250 is the labor you save per visit, so a set of tools pays back in the first cleaning; on two or three stories, OSHA’s 3 ft rail extension and 1:4 ladder setback rules show why the height is the real cost.
| Tool | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic gutter scoop | Wet packed leaves, the universal default | Slow; the ladder moves every few feet |
| Leaf blower with gutter attachment kit | Dry loose leaves, fast clearing from the ground | Useless on wet or packed debris; sprays debris everywhere |
| Wet/dry shop vac with gutter wand | Wet sludge and pine needles | Vac follows you on a power cord; range limited |
| Gutter robot (iRobot Looj, discontinued 2017) | Dry, loose leaves in straight runs | Resale only; struggles with packed mats and needles |
| Garden hose with high pressure nozzle | Final flush to verify downspouts | Cannot remove anything; rinse only |
| Telescoping gutter cleaning pole + flexible attachment | One-story homes without a ladder | You cannot see what you are doing; debris falls on you |
A DIY sequence for a typical one-story home in fall:
- Set the ladder with its foot one quarter of the working length out from the wall (the OSHA 1926.1053 ratio), and climb up with a bucket and plastic gutter scoop.
- Hand-scoop wet leaves and packed material into the bucket. Move the ladder rather than overreach.
- Use the leaf blower attachment to clear the loose dry stuff between scooping passes.
- Run a garden hose through each downspout to verify flow. If any back up, unbolt the bottom elbow and snake it.
- Dump the bucket into yard waste or compost.
Compared with This Old House’s $100 to $250 for a one-story professional cleaning, the DIY breakeven is usually the first job if you already own a ladder and blower.
The leaf blower attachment: the underrated upgrade
The most useful DIY upgrade is a gutter attachment for your leaf blower: a curved tube that reaches over a one-story gutter from the lawn.
It keeps you off the ladder for most of the work, which matters on the 2-story homes that This Old House prices at $180 to $360 for a pro visit. The limitations: it only works on dry loose debris, you still need a scoop-and-flush pass once a year for the packed matter at the bottom of the gutter, and it sprays leaves everywhere (wear safety glasses and do this before you rake). For wet matted debris or pine needles, switch to the wet/dry vac wand or the gutter scoop.
The Looj robot: useful in a narrow window
The iRobot Looj drives along the inside of the gutter with a rotating auger, flicking debris over the side. iRobot discontinued it in 2017, per the iRobot product history, so buying one today means a used or resale unit with no factory support. It suited one use case: annual maintenance of dry, fluffy leaves in a gutter without heavy packed material.
Where gutter robots struggle: wet pine needles, heavily packed second-year debris, bent sections, and corners, since each run means climbing up to move the robot. With a 2017 end of sale and no factory parts, a robot makes sense only if you find one cheap and your debris is mostly dry oak or maple leaves; otherwise put the money toward a pro visit at $100 to $250 for one story.
The frequency question: actually how often?
This Old House says gutters need cleaning at least twice a year on average, and about once a year with gutter guards; Taskrabbit recommends 1 to 3 times a year, usually spring and fall. Where your home falls inside that range depends on the trees over the roof. The schedule below is an editorial rule of thumb built on those ranges:
| If your tree situation is | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | Annual count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No overhanging trees | Skip | Skip | Once | Skip | 1 |
| Moderate cover (oak, maple within 30 ft) | Skip or once | Skip | Once | Skip | 1 to 2 |
| Heavy oak/maple over the roof | Once | Skip | Once | Skip | 2 |
| Pine canopy (needles year-round) | Once | Skip | Twice (Oct + late Nov) | Skip | 2 to 3 |
| Catalpa, sweetgum, or seed-pod heavy | Once | Once | Once | Skip | 3 |
| Ice country with snow-load risk | Once after thaw | Skip | Once before freeze | Skip | 2 |
| Micro-mesh gutter guards installed | Skip | Skip | Rinse once | Skip | About 1 |
Skipping a needed cleaning costs more than the visit. A gutter that overflows for a rainy season soaks the fascia behind it and dumps water at the foundation, and Taskrabbit’s add-on prices for minor gutter repair ($75 to $200) and sealing leaks ($50 to $125) sit on top of the cleaning itself. Our guide to fascia rot from gutters covers what that repair involves.
Gutter cleaning subscription: the contract trap
Some gutter companies sell a maintenance plan billed monthly that bundles several cleanings a year, and Taskrabbit notes that some pros discount recurring cleanings such as twice-yearly visits. Price any plan by what each needed visit costs you. The table uses a hypothetical $35 per month, four-visit plan to show the math against This Old House’s $275 average visit:
| Plan | Annual cost | Cleanings included | Cost per needed cleaning (2 needed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical subscription, $35/mo | $420 | 4 | $210 |
| Twice a year at $275 | $550 | 2 | $275 |
| Once a year at $275 | $275 | 1 | $275 |
| DIY with tools you own | $0 labor | 2 | $0 labor |
A subscription only wins if the plan price divided by the visits you actually need beats a single visit, and if the plan includes the downspout flush and haulaway. Before signing, ask four things in writing: the per-visit price if you cancel, whether the plan auto-renews, any cancellation fee, and whether two- and three-story surcharges apply on top. Pros weigh the same recurring-revenue math when they set gutter cleaning prices.
Gutter guards do not eliminate cleaning
The marketing for premium gutter guards (LeafFilter, LeafGuard, Gutter Helmet) implies “never clean your gutters again.” This Old House’s guide says otherwise: guarded gutters still need cleaning about once a year, and a contractor it quotes says guards can cut cleaning from twice a year to every other year. With micro-mesh, the job changes character: instead of scooping wet leaves, you rinse pollen and shingle grit off the top of the mesh, because those still collect on top and shed water over the front edge.
Guards are a big upfront line item: This Old House’s separate 2026 survey put installed gutter guards at $39.71 per linear foot on average, about $7,941 for 200 feet, while Taskrabbit lists simpler guard installation at $7 to $15 per linear foot. Against a $275 cleaning twice a year, the payback on a branded system runs many years. For the full guard cost-benefit math see our best gutter guards roundup and the cheaper option in DIY gutter guards.
When to skip cleaning and call a roofer instead
Five signs that the problem is upstream of the gutter and a cleaning will not fix it:
- Asphalt granules filling the gutter every spring (the roof is shedding, see roof granules in gutters).
- Water stains on the ceiling under the eave (the gutter is fine; you have a roof leak, see water stains on the ceiling).
- Drip edge missing or curled at the gutter line (IRC R905.2.8.5 requires drip edge at eaves where the code is adopted; without it, water runs behind even a clean gutter, see our drip edge guide).
- Ice forming inside the gutter every winter (you need heated cable, not cleaner gutters; see heated gutter cable).
- Pinhole leaks at gutter seams or corners (cleaning will not seal these; you need re-sealing or replacement, see seamless vs sectional gutters).
For related eave repairs, see our roof leak repair guide and the eaves-and-trim section of our fascia board guide.
The verdict
For most homeowners, the answer is one or two paid cleanings per year at This Old House’s $100 to $450 range (or annual DIY on a one-story home) plus a fall downspout flush. Price any subscription per needed visit. Skip the discontinued robot unless you find one cheap. And use the annual visit as your gutter inspection: catch the loose hanger, the early fascia stain, or the cracked sealant while Taskrabbit’s $50 to $125 leak-sealing add-on still covers it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gutter cleaning cost in 2026?
This Old House puts the national average at about $275 per visit, with most homes between $100 and $450: $100 to $250 for one story, $180 to $360 for two stories, and $210 to $450 for three stories. Per linear foot, HomeWyse estimates $1.10 to $1.35 (January 2026) and Taskrabbit $0.80 to $2.00 (October 2026).
How often should I clean my gutters?
This Old House says at least twice a year on average, and about once a year with gutter guards; Taskrabbit recommends 1 to 3 times a year, usually spring and fall. Homes without overhanging trees sit at the low end, while pine canopy or seed-pod trees like sweetgum can push it to two or three times a year.
What should a professional gutter cleaning include?
A full service covers four things: manual debris removal from every run, a downspout flush to verify flow, a visual inspection for sagging hangers, separated joints, and fascia staining, and haulaway of all debris. Taskrabbit prices downspout flushing as a $50 to $100 add-on when it is left out, so confirm it is in the quote.
Is a gutter cleaning subscription worth it?
Only if the plan price divided by the visits you actually need beats a single visit. A hypothetical $35 per month plan costs $420 a year; if your home needs two cleanings, that is $210 per needed visit against This Old House’s $275 average. Ask in writing about auto-renewal, cancellation fees, and two-story surcharges before you sign.
Do gutter guards mean I never have to clean gutters again?
No. This Old House says gutters with guards still need cleaning about once a year, though guards can stretch cleaning from twice a year to every other year in some cases. With micro-mesh, the job becomes rinsing pollen and shingle grit off the top of the mesh instead of scooping wet leaves.
Can I clean my gutters myself, and what tools work?
Yes, on a one-story home with a stable ladder set at OSHA’s 1:4 setback. A plastic gutter scoop handles wet packed leaves, a leaf blower gutter attachment clears dry debris from the ground, and a wet/dry vac wand handles sludge and pine needles. Finish with a garden hose flush through each downspout. DIY saves the $100 to $250 a pro charges for one story.