What You’ll Actually Pay to Get Second-Story Gutters Cleaned
If you’re staring up at a two-story roofline with a clogged gutter, the national average runs $1.86 to $2.30 per linear foot. That means for a typical 200-foot home, you’re looking at $372 to $460 total. But the real number depends on where you live, who shows up, and how high they have to climb.
Where That Money Goes
The price isn’t just “a guy with a ladder.” The breakdown from actual contractor data shows:
- Labor (basic): $0.59–$0.72 per foot. This covers the person on the roof or ladder.
- Equipment allowance: $0.36–$0.54 per foot. That’s the ladder, blower, safety harness, and the wear on their truck.
- Debris disposal: $0.91–$1.04 per foot. This is the biggest single line item — hauling away wet leaves, pine needles, and sludge costs real money at the dump.
- Job supplies: $0–$0. That’s not a typo; basic cleaning requires no special materials.
So roughly half your bill goes to disposal. That’s why a quick five-minute blowout feels like a ripoff — they’re not hauling anything away.
City Prices Vary More Than You’d Think
Using the data from 20 major metros, the spread is significant. Here’s what you’d pay per linear foot in a few places:
| City | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $2.21 | $2.73 |
| San Francisco, CA | $2.14 | $2.63 |
| Chicago, IL | $2.05 | $2.54 |
| Boston, MA | $2.05 | $2.54 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $2.02 | $2.49 |
| Denver, CO | $1.82 | $2.25 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1.78 | $2.20 |
| Houston, TX | $1.76 | $2.18 |
| Miami, FL | $1.75 | $2.18 |
| Austin, TX | $1.74 | $2.16 |
A homeowner in Austin might pay $1.74 per foot, while someone in New York could see $2.73. That’s a 57% difference — driven mostly by local labor costs and disposal fees.
What Homeowners Are Actually Saying
Scrolling through real conversations, a few patterns jump out.
The “sticker shock” is real. People routinely report quotes of $250–$300 for a 2-story house and feel it’s high. One homeowner near Sacramento paid $275 a few years ago for a 2,100-square-foot house and thought it was reasonable. Another in the NYC suburbs got a $250 quote and felt cheated when the guy finished in five minutes with a leaf blower.
The pros have a different view. Contractors point out that $250 covers labor, insurance, licensing, equipment, and transportation. One window cleaner on a forum said their minimum for any two-story house starts at $200, but they’ll charge up to $300 for the biggest jobs. Another said they price by time — $125 minimum, then $25 increments for extra work like roof blowing or valley cleaning.
The DIY vs. pro debate is fierce. The “I do it myself” crowd argues you can buy a good leaf blower for $100 and a pair of boots for $110 — one homeowner did exactly that after paying $250. But the “don’t break your neck” crowd pushes back hard. A tradie who works at height regularly said he’d never attempt it without a harness and rescue plan. One homeowner put it bluntly: paying $250 is cheaper than converting your house to be wheelchair accessible.
Gutter guards aren’t a silver bullet. Multiple people warned that no guard is 100% effective. One homeowner got quotes a few years ago for $4,000 on good 6-inch open gutters, or $6,000–$10,000 with decent guards like LeafGuard. Even with guards, you’ll still need cleaning eventually.
How to Get a Fair Quote
- Measure your linear feet. Walk around the house with a tape measure or use Google Maps’ measuring tool. Don’t guess — knowing your exact footage lets you calculate a fair per-foot price.
- Ask what’s included. Does the price cover debris removal? Roof blowing? Downspout flushing? If they’re just blowing leaves off the roof into your yard, that’s not a full clean.
- Get three quotes minimum. Prices can vary by 50% in the same city. A crew that’s slow might charge more; a solo operator might charge less.
- Watch for minimums. Many companies won’t show up for less than $150–$200, even if your house only has 50 feet of gutter.
- Avoid the “five-minute special.” If they show up with a leaf blower and are done before you finish your coffee, you’re paying for disposal that isn’t happening. Ask how they handle debris.
FAQ
How much does gutter cleaning cost per linear foot?
National average is $1.86–$2.30 per foot for upper-floor gutters. That includes labor, equipment, and disposal.
What’s the average cost for a 2-story house?
Most homeowners report paying $250–$400 for a typical 2-story home with 150–200 feet of gutter. The range depends on your city and the contractor’s minimum.
Is it worth cleaning gutters myself?
For a single-story house, sure — a $100 blower pays for itself. For a two-story, the risk of a fall is real. One homeowner’s math was: $250 for a pro, or the cost of a broken neck. He paid the $250.
Do gutter guards eliminate cleaning?
No. Even good guards eventually need maintenance. They reduce frequency but don’t eliminate it. Plan on cleaning every 2–3 years with guards, versus annually without.
Why are quotes so different between cities?
Labor rates and disposal fees vary wildly. A disposal fee of $0.91–$1.04 per foot in New York is driven by landfill costs and traffic. In Austin, the same disposal might be $0.75.
Should I hire a window cleaner or a gutter specialist?
Window cleaners often offer gutter cleaning as an add-on. Their prices tend to be lower — one forum post mentioned $150–$200 for a two-story house. But they may not have the same equipment or disposal process as a dedicated gutter service.
These are reference ranges based on national averages and city-specific data. Your actual quote will depend on your home’s height, gutter condition, and local market rates. Get a few estimates, ask the right questions, and don’t pay for disposal that isn’t happening.