When researching the options you have for replacing gutters, you might come across a gutter replacement cost estimator. While this is a great way to see how much you might end up spending, you also need to call an expert for advice so you can see exactly how much you will spend.

Although DIY gutter installation is rising in popularity, it’s not always possible. If you install the gutters wrong, you are looking at spending considerable amounts of money fixing the mistakes.

While the upfront costs might seem fair, here are some hidden costs you need to look out for so you can ensure you’ve prepared your budget adequately.

The Cost of Fixing Mistakes

Wondering how to replace your gutters? Doing it yourself can be difficult. That’s why we recommend you call a professional so you know the job will be well done and not cause you issues in the future.

If you’re thinking of installing gutters on your own, you can do so, but you need to ensure you take a considerable amount of time researching and watching videos on how to do it well. When you install gutters poorly, water can collect in them and then go into the house or the basement.

When you get water inside your house, you’re looking at paying for water remediation, water clean-up, and mold remediation. This is very costly. You will also need to pay for the gutters to be replaced since the old ones will have been damaged.

The costs of repairing your home and getting new gutters are much more than what you would pay for an expert to come and put the gutters inside in the first place.

Materials

Not all materials can be used for DIY gutters. When installing gutters, the first thing you need to do is determine the material you want to use. Not all materials are created equally. When you buy gutters materials, you will buy it per linear foot.

Most homes will require about 150 feet of material, but some will need 200 feet or more depending on the height and size of the home.

Vinyl gutters are often the cheapest material that is used on most homes. You can also get aluminum gutters as this is also a common material.

However, if you choose another type of material like copper, you are looking at paying more costs for the material and you will have to call in an expert. Copper is a very hard material to work with you and you will have to get some professional advice as it can be hard to cut and measure on your own.

Size

Depending on the size of your gutter, you will need to spend more or less money. The standard size for gutters is 5 inches. However, some people choose to get 4 inches or 6 inches. Most of the time you will not vary from these sizes because the gutters will not be as effective if they are smaller or larger.

The larger the gutter, the more money you will need to spend. This is because you will have to spend more money on materials to get the bigger size.

Any Extra You May Need

When trying to figure out how to replace gutters, you will need to determine if there are any extra materials you need. Gutter systems are not just gutters, you will also need brackets and hangers for attaching them to the home.

You will also need downspouts so that water can flow out of the gutter and into the ground. Most downspouts need to be installed about every 35 feet. You also need to be able to attach the downspout to the pipe so that water flows in the right direction.

Sometimes you also need end caps. Depending on the material you choose, this can be cheap or costly. Copper is the one that usually costs the most while vinyl is the least expensive.

You will also need some additional materials to ensure the water is properly going into the ground and away from the home. This includes gutter guards, splash blocks, and other extra items. You shouldn’t be tempted to not use these as they are for sure needed to ensure that water is not flowing into the home when you have heavy rains.

Some homes will also need heat tape. This is needed in cold weather otherwise ice can form over the gutters and damage the roof.

Style

There are many different styles and shapes of gutters that you can choose from. If you are not sure which style to choose, the most common one is the K-style. They are called K style because the way they cross together comes into a K shape.

While it might look different when on the home, it’s better at collecting water because it can hold it and then push it down into the downspout.

If you prefer to have a different shape, you can use the half-round shape or the U-style shape. Both of these are more expensive but they are visually more appealing. They also do a good job of retaining water.

If you want something really fancy, you can also choose the V style. These are more expensive but they look classy.

Labor Costs

When trying to decide how to replace your gutters, you might decide using a professional is better. Installing gutters is easier when you have an expert that can get the job done. Labor costs will depend on the size of your home. The material will also affect the price as copper and steel are harder to work with and take long hours to install.

You can contact us for a free estimate so you can get a better idea of how much you will need to spend on gutters. We can also advise on what material and shape might be best for your home. We are here to help when you need professional help with your gutter installation.