Measure the gutter runs
Enter the total horizontal gutter length requested by the calculator. List separate sections so you can check a contractor’s measurement. Do not substitute roof area for linear feet.
Home › Gutters
Gutter replacementGutter replacement cost calculator
Gutters are the cheapest thing on this site to replace and the most expensive thing to ignore. Failed gutters do their damage to the fascia, the siding and the foundation, not to themselves.
Reviewed 25 October 2026 · Written by Mantu Kumar
See the illustrated project guide
Written and maintained by Mantu Kumar
Evidence review4 August 2026
Calculation rulesRead the methodology
Quality standardEditorial policy
2026 planning ranges
- 1Aluminum, sectional · $5–$15/ft
- 2Seamless · about 20–40% more
- 3Outlet pitched to the corner
- 4Downspout every 30–40 ft
- 5Extension or splash block
- 6Guards priced on their own
- 7Old gutter removal
- 85- or 6-inch gutters
- 9Story height
Full replacement: $2,300–$6,400 with removal
Gutter replacement cost estimate
No email · nothing sentDiagram, part by part
Gutter replacement: every numbered part explained
The gutter replacement drawing above has 9 numbered parts, from Aluminum, sectional to Two- and three-story homes. Each card below frames one of them, and after you run the calculator it shows what that part adds to your estimate.
1 Aluminum, sectional
$5–$15/ft
Sectional aluminum gutters come in 10 to 20 foot pieces joined with seams. They cost less and suit simple runs, but each seam is a place that can leak over time.
What moves it: Linear feet, number of corners and stories.
On the quote: Ask how seams are sealed and how often hangers are spaced.
2 Seamless
about 20–40% more
Seamless gutters are formed on site from a coil to the exact length of each run, so the only joints are at corners and outlets. They leak less and look cleaner.
What moves it: Linear feet and the gutter size.
On the quote: Ask for the metal thickness and the hanger type and spacing.
3 Outlet pitched to the corner
Part of the install
Gutters slope gently toward the outlets, about a quarter inch per 10 feet, so water does not pool and freeze. Long runs often pitch both ways to a downspout in the middle.
What moves it: Run length and fascia condition.
On the quote: Ask how the pitch is set and checked.
4 Downspout every 30–40 ft
A downspout every 30 to 40 feet of gutter keeps water from overflowing in heavy rain. Larger 3-by-4-inch downspouts move more water and clog less.
What moves it: Number of downspouts and their size.
On the quote: Ask for downspout size and where each one discharges.
5 Extension or splash block
Small extra per downspout
Extensions or splash blocks carry water several feet away from the foundation. Without them, the gutter just dumps water at the wall and into the basement.
What moves it: Number of downspouts and yard layout.
On the quote: Ask whether extensions or underground drains are included.
6 Guards priced on their own
Gutter guards keep leaves out but are a separate product with a wide price range, from simple mesh to micro-mesh that blocks shingle grit.
What moves it: Guard type and linear feet.
On the quote: Ask whether guards void the roof or gutter warranty and how they are cleaned.
7 Old gutter removal
$260–$640
Taking down the old gutters, downspouts and hangers and hauling them away. It is also the moment to check the fascia board behind them for rot.
What moves it: Linear feet and the old gutter material.
On the quote: Ask whether rotten fascia will be replaced and how that is priced.
8 Gutter size: 5 or 6 inch
6-inch about 18% more
Five-inch gutters handle most homes. Six-inch gutters carry about 40% more water and suit large roofs, steep pitches and heavy-rain areas, for about 18% more cost.
What moves it: Roof area, pitch and local rainfall.
On the quote: Ask which size the roof area and pitch call for.
9 Two- and three-story homes
Taller homes cost more
Taller homes need longer ladders, lifts and more setup time, and downspouts are longer. The calculator raises the price for second and third stories.
What moves it: Number of stories and ground access.
On the quote: Ask whether a lift is needed and if it is in the price.
A closer look at your project
Follow the drainage path, not just the roof edge
Gutter length is one input. Downspouts, fittings and the route to the discharge point explain other parts of the project.
Look closer at three details before you compare gutter quotes. These close-ups are crops of the same AI-generated illustration.
Count the other components
Ask for downspout count, corners, outlets and end pieces. Compare the same material and profile across quotes; a per-foot headline may not include all fittings.
Separate guards and repairs
Ask whether guards, removal, fascia repairs and drainage extensions are included. These can be separate decisions, so identify them before comparing the final totals.
Before comparing totals, ask for these details
- Gutter runs
- Length, material, profile and sectional/seamless construction
- Drainage route
- Downspouts, outlets, elbows and discharge arrangements
- Optional work
- Guards, fascia repair, removal and extensions
On this page
- Working out your linear footage
- Sectional or seamless
- Guards: the honest version
- What insurance covers
- Gutter replacement cost by region
- What “How to measure” does to the price
- What “Gutter material” does to the price
- How age changes the gutter replacement claim payout
- Quote checklist: 6 items to verify
- How long the job takes
- Common mistakes that raise the cost
- Ways to keep the cost down
- Signs your gutters need replacing
- Questions
Working out your linear footage
The quick estimate is your home’s square footage divided by ten. A 2,000 square foot house needs roughly 200 linear feet of gutter. It is rough — homes with multiple roof sections, valleys or unusual shapes need more — but it gets you close enough to sanity-check a quote.
Downspouts are counted separately and are usually priced per unit. One every 30 to 40 feet of gutter run is the normal specification.
| Material | Per linear foot, installed | Expected life |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $3 – $7 | 12 yrs |
| Aluminum | $5 – $15 | 20 yrs |
| Galvanized steel | $8 – $18 | 22 yrs |
| Zinc | $18 – $35 | 50 yrs |
| Copper | $25 – $45 | 60 yrs |
Sectional or seamless
Sectional gutters come in lengths that join together, and every joint is a future leak. They are cheaper and can be installed by a competent homeowner.
Seamless gutters are rolled on site from a coil to the exact length of each run, so the only joints are at corners and outlets. They cost roughly 20 to 40% more and they are what most homeowners should buy, because the failure mode of a gutter is almost always a joint.
Guards: the honest version
Gutter guards run $7 to $20 per linear foot installed, which on a typical house is comparable to or more than the gutters themselves. Whether they are worth it depends almost entirely on your trees.
With large deciduous trees overhanging the roof, guards convert a twice-yearly climb into an occasional one, and that is genuinely valuable. With no trees nearby they solve a problem you do not have. No guard eliminates cleaning entirely, whatever the sales pitch says — fine debris and shingle grit still accumulate.
What insurance covers
Storm damage — a fallen branch, hail, wind tearing a run loose — is generally covered, subject to your deductible. Rust, sagging from age and damage from clogging you did not deal with are not.
Since a complete gutter replacement often costs $2,300 to $6,400 and deductibles commonly sit at $1,000 to $2,500, a gutter-only claim is frequently not worth filing. Where it does make sense is when gutters are damaged alongside the roof in the same storm and can be included in one claim.
Gutter result summaryLinear footage is only the start: gauge, profile, seamless fabrication, hanger spacing, downspout count, stories, fascia condition, guards and discharge routing complete the drainage system. Confirm actual eave measurements before using a home-size estimate as a quote comparison.
Worked example: 200 feet on a 2,000 sq ft house
This page’s rule of thumb is floor area divided by ten. A 2,000 sq ft house is about 200 linear feet. Aluminum is $5 – $15 per foot installed. Seamless is the 20% to 40% step-up from the sectional price, which is why a whole-house job can reach the published $2,300 – $6,400 complete-replacement band once removal is included.
Aluminum, then the seamless step-up
Worked example| 200 ft sectional aluminum at $5 | $1,000 |
| 200 ft sectional aluminum at $15 | $3,000 |
| Seamless, about 20% more | from $1,200 |
| Seamless, about 40% more | up to $4,200 |
| Downspouts, one every 30–40 ft | about 5 to 7 outlets |
| Published complete replacement, with removal | $2,300 – $6,400 |
Guards are a separate product. In a cold climate the failure is often an ice dam at the eave, which is a roof-edge detail, not a thicker gutter price. In a high-rain climate the failure is a joint or a downspout that dumps at the foundation — see the foundation page. A deductible often sits near the whole cost of this job, so a gutter-only claim rarely pays for itself.
Gutter replacement cost by region
The calculator's default gutter replacement job, repriced for each of its six regions. At the national average it runs $1,876 – $5,455; South / Lower Midwest is the lowest at $1,632 – $4,746, and West Coast metro is the highest at $2,438 – $7,092, a gap of about $1,576 at the midpoint.
| Region | Planning range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $1,876 – $5,455 | $3,666 |
| South / Lower Midwest | $1,632 – $4,746 | $3,189 |
| Mountain / Plains | $1,782 – $5,182 | $3,482 |
| Mid-Atlantic / Upper Midwest | $2,101 – $6,110 | $4,106 |
| Northeast metro | $2,363 – $6,873 | $4,618 |
| West Coast metro | $2,438 – $7,092 | $4,765 |
What “How to measure” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “How to measure” changes. The cheapest choice, Estimate from home size, comes to $1,876 – $5,455; the most expensive, I know my linear feet, comes to $14,499 – $42,425.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate from home size (default) | $1,876 – $5,455 | — |
| I know my linear feet | $14,499 – $42,425 | +$24,796 |
What “Gutter material” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “Gutter material” changes. The cheapest choice, Vinyl, comes to $1,371 – $3,435; the most expensive, Copper, comes to $6,926 – $13,031.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $1,371 – $3,435 | −$1,262 |
| Aluminum (default) | $1,876 – $5,455 | — |
| Galvanized steel | $2,633 – $6,213 | +$758 |
| Zinc | $5,158 – $10,505 | +$4,166 |
| Copper | $6,926 – $13,031 | +$6,313 |
How age changes the gutter replacement claim payout
Using the default job, a $1,500 deductible and a 20-year expected life. At 10 years old, about $1,833 is held back as depreciation; a replacement cost policy releases it after the work is finished, while an actual cash value policy keeps it.
| Age | Wear | First check | Held back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 10% | $1,799 | $367 |
| 5 years | 25% | $1,249 | $916 |
| 10 years | 50% | $333 | $1,833 |
| 15 years | 75% | $0 | $2,749 |
| 20 years | 80% | $0 | $2,932 |
| 30 years | 80% | $0 | $2,932 |
Quote checklist: 6 items to verify
Gutter quotes are easiest to compare by the foot with the same size and metal.
- Linear feet and size. Total feet and 5- or 6-inch gutters.
- Metal thickness. Aluminum gauge, such as .027 or .032 inch.
- Hangers. Hidden hanger type and spacing.
- Downspouts. Number, size and where each discharges.
- Fascia repair. A price for rotten fascia found during removal.
- Removal and guards. Old gutter haul-away and any guards, listed separately.
How long the job takes
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring | 30 – 60 minutes | Eaves, corners and downspout spots. |
| Scheduling | 1 – 3 weeks | Seamless crews book out in fall. |
| Removal and install | 1 day | Most homes are done in one visit. |
| Guards | +0.5 day | When added. |
Run a hose in each run after installation to confirm the slope and that every downspout drains away from the house.
Common mistakes that raise the cost
- Undersized gutters. Large or steep roofs overflow 5-inch gutters.
- Too few downspouts. Long runs need more outlets.
- Downspouts at the foundation. Water dumped at the wall ends up in the basement.
- Ignoring fascia rot. New gutters on soft fascia pull loose.
- Flat runs. Gutters need a slight slope to drain.
Ways to keep the cost down
Most of the price is length and height, but a few choices still matter.
- Keep the same layout. Reusing downspout locations avoids new drains and patching.
- Pick 5-inch where it is enough. Six-inch gutters cost more and are only needed on large or steep roofs.
- Book outside the fall rush. Seamless crews are busiest when leaves start dropping.
- Fix fascia rot in the same visit. A second trip to rehang gutters costs more.
- Add guards only where trees are. Open runs away from trees rarely need them.
- Keep downspouts clear yourself. Clogs cause most overflow damage.
Signs your gutters need replacing
Cleaning and resealing fix some problems; these usually mean replacement.
- Sagging or pulling away. Hangers or fascia have failed.
- Leaking seams. Sealant has given out on sectional runs.
- Water over the edge in normal rain. Undersized gutters or poor slope.
- Rust or holes. Common on old steel gutters.
- Peeling paint or rot behind. Water is getting behind the gutter.
Questions
How much more is a 6-inch gutter?
About 18 percent more than the same material in 5-inch, on the gutter supply line. Downspouts and guards are still their own lines. Guards default to off.
How much does gutter replacement cost?
A complete replacement typically runs $2,300 to $6,400 including removal of the old system. Aluminum seamless gutters, the most common choice, run $5 to $15 per linear foot installed.
How many linear feet of gutter do I need?
Divide your home's square footage by ten for a rough figure — a 2,000 square foot house needs about 200 linear feet. Homes with multiple roof sections or valleys need more.
Are seamless gutters worth the extra cost?
Usually yes. They cost 20 to 40% more but eliminate the joints between sections, and a joint is where gutters almost always fail. They are rolled on site to the exact length of each run.
Are gutter guards worth it?
It depends on your trees. With large deciduous trees overhanging the roof, guards turn a twice-yearly climb into an occasional one. With no trees nearby they solve a problem you do not have. No guard eliminates cleaning entirely.
Does homeowners insurance cover gutter replacement?
Storm damage is generally covered; rust, sagging from age and clog damage are not. Because a full replacement often costs less than two or three times the deductible, a gutter-only claim is frequently not worth filing on its own.
How long do gutters last?
Vinyl around 12 years, aluminum around 20, galvanized steel around 22, and copper or zinc 50 or more. Regular cleaning extends all of them — standing water and ice are what pull gutters off a fascia.
Aluminum or steel gutters?
Aluminum is the most common because it does not rust and is easy to form into seamless runs. Steel is stronger against ladders and ice but can rust once the coating wears. Copper costs the most and lasts longest.
Do gutters need to slope?
Yes, a gentle slope toward the downspouts, often about a quarter inch per 10 feet, so water does not stand in the trough and freeze or breed mosquitoes.
Can gutters be installed in winter?
Yes, in most weather. Snow, ice and frozen sealant can slow the work, and crews may need to return to adjust hangers once the weather warms.
Do gutters prevent basement water?
Gutters and downspouts that discharge several feet from the foundation are one of the cheapest ways to keep basements and crawl spaces dry. Short downspouts that dump at the wall undo most of the benefit.
What is gutter apron?
Flashing that runs from under the shingles into the gutter so water cannot run behind it and rot the fascia. It is often added during gutter replacement.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
At least twice a year, in spring and fall, and more often under trees. Clogged gutters overflow and send water toward the foundation.
What size downspouts are best?
Larger 3-by-4-inch downspouts carry more water and clog less than 2-by-3-inch ones, which helps on large or steep roofs.
Related
- Roof replacement — include gutters in the same claim, not a separate one
- Siding replacement — what failed gutters damage next
- Claim gap calculator — why a gutter-only claim rarely pays
- Should I file a claim? — check a small claim against the premium increase
- Fence cost calculator — another exterior project priced by the linear foot
- What insurance actually pays
Where these figures come from
Rates are cross-checked against 2026 published pricing from Modernize and industry cost guides. Modernize puts seamless gutters at $8 to $28 per linear foot and guards at $7 to $20 per linear foot installed; published national averages for a complete replacement run about $2,300 to $6,400 including removal of the old system. Depreciation is modeled straight-line against expected service life; carriers use
their own schedules and some cap payouts by age. These are ranges for planning, not quotes,
and nothing here is a coverage determination.
Evidence trail
Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Sources used to check this model
Primary public references anchor price movement, trade labor and insurance terminology. Calculator rates remain planning assumptions tested against published market ranges.
Price movementBLS Producer Price Index
Trade labor contextBLS construction occupations
Insurance termsNAIC homeowners guidance
These organizations do not endorse ReplaceCost. Local contractor quotes, permits, product specifications and the written insurance policy control the real result. See the full methodology for the source hierarchy and update process.
Gutter planning
Gutter replacement topics in a cleaner layout
Estimate the project by measured run, material, downspouts and access instead of relying on one per-foot number.
Cost per linear foot
Use measured gutter length and include downspouts, corners and accessories in the scope.
Concrete leveling calculatorDownspouts that washed out a slab.
Seamless vs sectional
Fabrication method, material and installer setup can affect the installed price.
Downspouts and drainage
A complete estimate should include the number, size and routing of downspouts.
Access and fascia condition
Height, roof edge access and fascia repairs can change installation labor.
Related searches
Popular gutter replacement searches
Common wording people use when comparing costs, estimates and next steps.
gutter replacement cost per linear foot
are gutters tax deductible
seamless gutter price per linear foot
gutter cost per linear foot
cost of gutters per linear foot
gutters per linear foot
gutter price per linear foot
how much do gutters cost per linear foot
average cost for guttersgutter renovation costgutter replacement programgutter replacement calculatorgutter repair cost calculatorguttering cost calculatorgutter replacement cost per foot