Gutter Cover Installation Cost : Kansas City Homes
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Are you done with constantly cleaning leaves and other tree debris out of your gutters? Thinking about installing gutter guards? Are you wondering how much gutter guards will cost you?
In this quick guide, we tackle a subject we know you’ve been thinking about as much as the type of gutter guard you want – and that’s pricing.
Gutter guard installation costs vary greatly between suppliers in the U.S, and it’s no different in Kansas City. This wide price range in your gutter guard cost is the result of many factors. Among them are whether you try to install DIY or pay someone to do it for you, the type of gutter guard and material it’s made from, the size of your home, the height of your gutters, etc.
We’ll walk you through all these factors and give you some handy information which should help you get a general idea on where each design fits in terms of investment. Grab your pen and notebook and let’s begin.
Factors that determine gutter guard installation cost
Size of your home and the number of levels
Calculating the linear footage of your home
Gutter guard measurements are calculated per linear foot of gutter. Keep in mind that it’s NOT square feet, its linear feet.
You can get a good estimate of your home’s linear footage from the ground.
To calculate your linear feet, simply grab a tape measure and take a walk around the perimeter of your home. Find the sections of your home that have guttering. Measure the length of these sides. Be sure to add a few feet on either end of the wall to include the roof overhang. Don’t forget to look all the way up. If you have a 2 or 3 story home you may have two or three levels of roofline with gutters. These sections need to be added to the total linear feet.
This method will get you a basic ballpark estimate of your linear feet.
Unique design elements
Do you have complicated landscaping to work around that may require a longer installation time? Do you have a lot of corners? Factors like these will likely require more gutter guard material and labor, which will increase the cost.
Number of stories
Homes with more than two stories require specialized equipment and extra labor time, which also impact cost.
The current state of your gutters, downspouts and underground drainage
Before installing any gutter guards, it’s a good idea to check the current state of your gutter system. Why?
Putting a gutter guard on a failing gutter system is like refurbishing the exterior of your vehicle when your engine no longer works.
If any part of your guttering system needs repair work or replacement, then it will render the gutter guard less effective. How do you know that you have a problem?
- Water is always overflowing your gutters, even if they’re unclogged. This might indicate the need for bigger gutters because they are not handling the current water flow. It could also indicate not having enough or sufficiently sized downspouts.
- Your gutters are rusted or corroded, usually showing up first in leaking corners and seams.
- Your gutters are badly bent, cracked, or pulling away from the fascia.
- Your downspouts are loose, cracked, flattened or otherwise in need of replacement.
- Water is backing up in your gutters or pooling around the bottom of the downspouts due to underground drains being clogged.
- Soffit and fascia boards show signs of wood rot, mold, or insect infestation.
These visible signs mean you have a bigger problem than just clogged gutters. To truly benefit from gutter guards, you need to get these problems solved either before or at the same time as your gutter guard install.
CAUTION: Any company willing to put up gutter guards without addressing these other problems is likely a company you want to stay away from. They are interested more in making a sale than in providing you with what you really need for the long term results you need and deserve.
Gutter guard materials
Gutter guard materials have a big influence on the cost.
For instance, the total cost of a foam gutter guard installation, which is typically the cheapest of all gutter guards, will be dramatically less than something that is aluminum, galvalume or copper. To get specific, the total cost of foam gutter guard installation as of 2024, according to our research, is an average of $700 – $1,350 for a home in Kansas City. However, experience shows this material usually has to be replaced every 2-3 years.
Therefore the LONGEVITY of the material is something you want to take into consideration when deciding what to invest in, as opposed to just the initial upfront cost.
DIY Installation versus Professional Installation for Gutter Guards
DIY gutter guard installation costs are obviously much lower or even nonexistent when compared to professionally installed gutter guards because there are no direct labor costs.
However, keep in mind the following points:
- Many gutter guards, especially patented ones, are not available for DIY. The higher quality gutter guards typically require a more advanced and knowledgeable installation, and therefore are unavailable to the consumer to install.
- Even the best products must be installed properly to work properly. An incorrect installation may cost you more than if you had never put anything on your gutters to begin with. (Think foundation damage, flooded basements, etc.)
- There are always dangers involved when you or a loved one get on a ladder or your roof, which would nearly always be necessary when installing your gutter guard. A fall will often be dramatically more than an installation cost.
Need a little extra help deciding which gutter guards are going to be best for your home? Here is a quick review of the different types and where they fit in the price structure of gutter guards.
Foam Gutter Guards
Foam inserts are the cheapest and the easiest DIY option. They sit in the gutter and are porous enough to allow water to flow through them and into the gutter. Unfortunately, when the tops get too many leaves or debris on and in them, the water can flow over the gutter. The polyurethane also breaks down over time, sending microplastics into the groundwater. Additionally, algae and fungus grow on them, making cleaning foam inserts highly unpleasant.
Brush Gutter Guards
Next in line is usually brush gutter guards. Similar to foam inserts, brush gutter guards sit inside the gutter, blocking debris. These guards are metal rods with nylon or plastic bristles attached at different angles. They are easy to install but may require you to cut them to size. They are more durable than foam gutter guards, sometimes lasting up to 10 years, but during that time, you will be doing maintenance on them 2-4 times a year.
Steel Screen Gutter Guards
Third in line in terms of cost is typically steel mesh gutter guards. They are more durable than plastic, but ease of installation varies depending on the product. They still require you to scale a ladder 2-4 times a year minimum for cleaning. You will likely need to remove and reinstall them each cleaning since the top of the screen gets clogged with debris which will not allow the water to flow into the gutters.
Micro Mesh Gutter Guards
First in line in terms of cost are micro-mesh gutter guards and solid surface gutter guards. Micromesh is usually made of plastic, steel, aluminum, or some mix of these. The price varies tremendously depending on the brand and company you choose. The mesh is much finer, and because of this, it can prevent smaller debris from entering your gutters. However, the maintenance remains the same. You will need to scrub the surface clean 2-4 times a year as debris such as sap, leaves, pollen and oak tassels stick to the surface and block the micromesh holes. Not maintaining this design WILL RESULT IN WATER OVERFLOW.
Solid Surface Gutter Guards
Gutter Cover Kansas City® is the only company that can offer you the innovative, patented technology of ADVANTAGE GUTTER GUARD® – a solid gauge aluminum gutter guard that has a lifetime warranty of no clogging!
Tying with higher quality micromesh gutters in terms of investment is the solid surface gutter guard design. Similarly, investment can vary tremendously depending on the company and product you choose.
When properly designed and installed, it is the best performing gutter guard type, combining total water control with the lowest maintenance for a homeowner. In terms of longevity, they can be a once-in-a-lifetime investment for a home.
Surface tension guards are solid and usually made from either aluminum, galvalume, or copper. Leaves and other debris run over the ‘helmet’ or ‘nose’ of the guard while water runs along its surface and into the gutter. This effectively means that your gutters always stay clog free and water flows freely in your gutters.
Unlike other types of gutter guards, they require professional installation. No DIY attempt should be made to install this design, as an incorrect installation can lead to significant water overflow.
How to choose the best gutter guard company
The company you choose will influence the total cost of the investment in your gutter guard. Like everything else in life, keep in mind that not all companies are equal in the quality of their products, the service they provide, or the legitimacy of the warranties they give.
Looking for the lowest price is understandable, but neglecting to carefully choose the right company can cost you way more in the long run. For example, a bad installation can result in water overflow, damaging your house. Or you may end up paying for work that should have been done right the first time, thereby increasing your costs.
Here are some expert tips for choosing a gutter guard provider.
Do your research
Take a look at LOCAL reviews of gutter companies, preferably in the last three months. Reviews will tell you a lot about what the company is good at, their interaction with the customers, their after sales service, etc. It will also tell you what they don’t do well.
Additionally, go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and look up the company you want to work with. You can do the same by checking them out on Angi.com, or the company’s FaceBook page.
How long has the company been in business?
The longer the company has been in business, the more experience it will have in the industry.
Integrity and professionalism of the gutter guard company
We recommend testing the overall experience you are likely going to have with the company BEFORE choosing them. For example, after filling out their contact form or estimate form, how long did they take to get in touch with you? Was everyone you interacted with professional? Were the office staff or sales staff pushy? Did they place arbitrary time frames on you? (Buy today and get X off!) That’s a big warning sign. Did they perform an actual inspection of the home and problems, or just try to pitch their product for you? These are all ways to test the quality of the company you’re about to work with.
And finally
That brings us to the end of our quick guide on gutter cover installation costs. During this discussion, we’ve highlighted some important factors that will determine the final cost of your new gutter guards. We also discussed the various types of gutter guards and where they fit on the price scale. Lastly, we looked at how to choose the right gutter guard installation company, which is as important as cost considerations.
REMEMBER: We rarely need the most expensive option, but going for the cheapest may cost us more in the long run. Take this opportunity to find a long-term and sustainable solution for your home from the damaging effects of uncontrolled rainwater.
Gutter Cover Kansas City® can do a 21-point inspection of your home in under an hour, and we guarantee it will be time well spent. When we’re done, you will know exactly what work is needed on your gutters and how much of an investment you need to make. We don’t apply pressure on you to make any decisions, so you can carefully weigh what we’ve said and get back to us when you’ve made your decision.
Finding the perfect gutter system: Some other articles you might find informative
Best Gutter Guard For Copper Gutters
Protect your copper gutters with the right gutter guard.
Do Metal Roofs Need Special Gutter Guards?
Unique aspects of metal roofs that affect gutter guard choice.
6 inch gutters vs 5 inch – What’s the difference?
All that rainwater is coming down on your roof and needs to go somewhere.
