Gutter Cleaning

We are trying to decide whether to Add Gutter Cleaning to our list of services. We do not want any of our guys on ladders. I have seen tool for gutter cleaning but I am not impressed, it looks like they leave more of a mess than being helpful in getting the job done.

Are any of you guys doing gutter cleaning without ladders?

What works best for you?

Do you lose other work by not doing gutters?

Gutter cleaning is big business in my area. I started out as a gutter cleaning and repair business who added pressure washing. We use ladders with Ladder-max stabilizers on them. We clean by hand and use the gutter cleaning tool from WCR on extension poles. I know some guys don’t mess around with gutter cleaning but I have found it to be a good money maker when I get slow plus I usually get the house wash too.

offering gutter cleaning I feel like is a no brainer… after 2 jobs of trying to clean them from the ground you will have your guys on ladders with stabilizers… Even when cleaning from the ground, you should check to make sure you didn’t miss anything… I can imagine someone cleaning them from the ground, assuming that they are finished, collecting a check then driving away… Meanwhile the homeowner goes up to the second story bedroom window and looks out to see a mess in the gutter that you missed, and now you are driving back to fix your mistake for free… Might as well do it right the first time… I’m not saying that extensions don’t have there place, but completely eliminating ladder use in going to be real tricky…

I just thought I would ask, I know that if you do ladder work that Liability Insurance costs more. We would prefer that our guys not use ladders but if gutter cleaning is a profitable addon then we may reconsider our services that we offer.

You may want to check, I can’t speak for your insurance provider, but most power washing policies cover up to 3 story cleanings… Anything above you would have to get a temporary policy for the job. If that’s not the case it may be time to shop around for a new policy

1 Like

You may want to check, I can’t speak for your insurance provider, but most power washing policies cover up to 3 story cleanings… Anything above you would have to get a temporary policy for the job. If that’s not the case it may be time to shop around for a new policy

I have a quote for a policy, but I need to have further discussion, what I can and can not do with it. I just stipulated that we did not use ladders. I know when it comes to workmans compensation it is coded differently for ground and aboveground work.

If you don’t want your guys on ladders… don’t do it.

Sent from my iPhone using Pressure Washing Resource

Wow, the wisdom you find on these boards sometimes :smiley:

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Pressure Washing Resource mobile app

listen. if you are going to clean gutters, you need to be able to use ladders. period. secondly, the money you will make cleaning gutters will pay for the additional insurance expense 10x over (assuming you don’t live in the desert or on the moon), as long as you can book the work.

it’s a no-brainer to me.

I think he is saying you can not effectively clean a gutter without getting on a ladder.

1 Like

I do not mind doing gutters, ladders do not bother me, one story houses I am fine with but I do not care to climb up 20 feet to clean a 2nd story gutter. I just find it really hard to pass up on gutter cleaning.

Sounds like you can set the parameters you want to work within and bid on those jobs only. Just ask the customer when they call in if it is over a single story to save yourself the drive.

2 Likes

You won’t be able to do a complete job at every job. There are so many situations and just about every house is different. Some have gutter guards that need cleaning out, short piece of gutter on the 3rd story, complex roof design, ice bars, ( love them!) etc… A gutter vacuum system would be a great for some situations. I have a feeling that you’d rather use a ladder most of the time if you could. Insurance shouldn’t be a big deal.

Sent from my iPhone using Pressure Washing Resource

We do a lot of gutter cleaning and is very profitable but gutter cleaning and ladders just go hand in hand…number one thing to have are the ladder stabilizers…$25 bucks per ladder but well worth it

How do you price your Gutter Cleaning?

Lots of different variables…we do commercial and residential…depends on how many stories, if there are gutter guards, how many trees are around, how long since last cleaning, if there are areas that are difficult to get to, etc…

Gutter cleaning can be hard work and there is a risk factor involved. Don’t sell yourself short.

There are several approaches you can take.

  1. minimum charge
  2. hourly rate target
  3. linear feet rate
    -I have a minimum residential rate of $65.
  • Set an hourly rate you would like to make and estimate based on that. My target is 80-100 per hour.
  • for jobs that are to difficult to determine how many hours it would take, I will measure linear feet and come up with a price based on that. Approx. 80 cents per linear feet for us. If gutter guards are a factor much more.
    -I also add $ if I need to bring special equipment such as a 40 foot ladder, use a rope and harness system for steep roofs and etc…
    #1 be safe! Use the stabilizer, poles to reach with and what ever else would help get it done as safe as you are comfortable with.

Sent from my iPhone using Pressure Washing Resource

2 Likes

It’s perfect for slow season. My area has tons gutter cleaning work.

1 Like