Gutter Costs -- Finding Out Gutter Prices - Part I

In considering a drainage installation project, gutter prices need to be at the top of the list.  Unfortunately, finding pricing estimates on the Internet is difficult, at best.  Many installers tell people that each project is "custom" and that the costs will vary dramatically.  While there is truth in what is said, it does not mean that such companies should not publish price ranges for various, typical jobs.  In researching the Chicago market, we found some general ranges for a couple of different standard projects.  While these price ranges are specific to Chicago, they do provide a general idea of how big a project's expense structure is going to run.

As with other websites, we, too, need to provide a standard disclaimer that these gutter installation prices are meant to merely act as basic ranges.  We are not liable if you find actual costs to be significantly higher or lower than what we found.  It is, simply, our best effort to provide some basic transparency to the murky world of gutter contractors and what they charge end consumers.

Home Location Matters

The first thing we discovered was that pricing in the suburbs was about 30% - 50% cheaper than in the city, itself.  We don't have definitive answers as to why there is a difference.  However, we have some hypotheses that may be impacting pricing:

1.) Higher Regulation Costs -- There may be higher permit, license and other fees associated with doing work in the city.

2.) Transportation & Logistics -- Because the city has much higher housing density rate, there may be a requirement for specific equipment or material for specific jobs.

3.) Less Competition -- Not all gutter installers may want to deal with the extra hassle of working in the city.  Because of this, there may be fewer competent builders.

4.) Home Supply -- Again, because of the density, there may be fewer gutter contractors per 1,000 homes than in the suburbs.

Leaf Guard Prices Expensive

Whatever the actual reasons, there appears to be a noticeable discrepency in costs.  The second major reason for pricing differential was open gutters versus gutter covers.  Bids for gutter systems with leaf guards or some other sort of cover ran 1.5X - 2.0X the cost of a typical open gutter installation.  This writer was shocked at the difference.  It was amazing how much of a premium companies would place on the convenience of not having to clean out the gutters every year!

Aluminum Gutters vs. Copper Gutters: Galvanized Steel Wins

When it came to the material employed for the project, aluminum gutters ran about half the price of copper gutters.  Granted, the copper material can last much longer than the aluminum variety.  It also may be an architectual necessity in some homes.  However, in this writer's opinion, the cost differential is not worth it.   If longevity and quality is what the buyer is looking for, galvanized steel may be the best, compromise option.

In our next installment, we will provide specific price ranges for a typical gutter installation (2 story home) and a gutter repair project cost (fixing about 30% - 40% of existing system).