How to start a gutter cleaning business
Season: October to December, April to May · Typical startup: $200 to $500
Gutter cleaning is a low-startup, high-demand seasonal trade: every home with trees nearby needs it twice a year, and most homeowners would rather pay than climb a ladder. A sturdy ladder and a few hand tools get you started. Here is the gear, pricing, and how to find customers.
$200 to $500To get started
$160Typical two-story home
October to December, April to MaySeason
The gear and what it costs
Extension ladder, 24-28 ftReaches a two-story gutter safely; the one thing not to cheap out on.
$250
Gutter scoop, gloves and a tarpScoop debris onto a tarp for a clean, fast cleanup.
$40
Cordless blower or hose attachmentBlows out and flushes the gutter run after scooping.
$120
What established pros charge
| Gutter cleaning, national average · HomeAdvisor | $167 |
| Typical range · HomeAdvisor | $119–$234 |
National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.
Starting rates for a new business
| Single-story home | $100 |
| Two-story home | $160 |
| With gutter-guard install | $250+ |
| Downspout flush add-on | $30 |
Our suggested starting point for a new business. Price per home by height and length. Gutter-guard installs are the upsell. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.
How to find your first customers
- Target streets with mature trees in the fall; those homes fill with leaves every year.
- Post before-and-after photos of a clogged vs. clear gutter in the local group after the leaves drop.
- Offer a spring-and-fall two-visit plan so customers book both at once.
- Leave a flyer on tree-heavy streets timed to the first big leaf drop.
Rules to check before you start
- Ladders are the biggest risk in this trade. Set the ladder at a 4-to-1 angle on firm ground, keep three points of contact, and have someone foot it.
- Stay away from power lines that run to the house. If the line crosses the gutter run, skip that section.
- Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
- Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
- Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.
Stay busy all year
Add pressure washing and holiday-light installs; you already own the ladder and know the houses.
Build your gutter cleaning plan free
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Questions
How much do you charge for gutter cleaning?
$100 for a single-story home and $160 for a two-story are typical. A spring-and-fall plan locks in two visits per customer.
Is gutter cleaning dangerous?
Ladder work carries real risk; use a stabilizer, never overreach, and skip steep or icy roofs. Many pros stay off the roof entirely and work from the ladder.
When is gutter cleaning season?
Fall (October to December) after the leaves drop is the big rush, with a smaller spring cleanup in April and May.
Can a teenager start a gutter cleaning business?
Start with single-story homes only, with an adult nearby. Two-story roofs and steep pitches are jobs to grow into, not to start with. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.
Sources
Checked November 8, 2026.
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