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Cost Guide

Gutter Replacement Cost: Honest Ranges by Material

Replacing gutters costs $12-$62 per linear foot installed as of mid-2026, per This Old House. Material, story count, and tear-off labor each change the total, this breakdown shows exactly how.

Reviewed by Gutter Guard Lab Team9 min read
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The short answer

Gutter replacement costs $12 to $62 per linear foot installed, as of mid-2026, per This Old House. For a 2,000-square-foot home (about 200 linear feet), that's $2,303 to $12,067. Material choice, home height, and tear-off labor are the biggest cost drivers.

Key takeaways

  • Material drives the range: vinyl is the budget pick, copper is premium.
  • Story count multiplies labor: two-story homes see a 20-30% surcharge.
  • Tear-off and disposal cost extra: budget $1-$4 per foot plus $94-$350.
  • DIY cuts the bill in half: on single-story homes, but only with solid ladder safety.

Replacing gutters isn't a one-price job. A dozen small factors, height, material, linear feet, whether you keep the old brackets, shift the final bill by thousands. Here's what reliable trade sources say, with no averages pulled from thin air.

What's the honest cost to replace gutters on a typical home?

For a 2,000-square-foot single-story home, expect to pay $2,303 to $12,067 for 200 linear feet, as of mid-2026, per This Old House. Material choice moves the needle more than anything else. Use our Gutter Cost Calculator to see replacement costs for your home's material and size.

  • Vinyl gutters run $5-$12 per foot installed, per Modernize.
  • Aluminum spans $6-$16.76, with This Old House citing the high end.
  • Steel costs $9-$20 per foot, per Modernize.
  • Copper pushes $20-$40 or more per foot, per Modernize.
  • Old gutter tear-off adds $1-$2 per foot (single-story) or $2-$4 (two-story), per Dropcurb.
  • Disposal fees run $94-$350 on top of removal, per Dropcurb.
Vinyl is the budget pick; copper can top $40 a foot.4 fact cards: Vinyl, Aluminum, Steel, Copper.Vinyl is the budget pick; copper can top$40 a foot.Vinyl$5-$12/ft installedAluminum$6-$17/ft installedSteel$9-$20/ft installedCopper$20-$40+/ft installed

How do height and linear feet change the replacement bill?

Story count is a silent multiplier. A second story adds 20-30% to labor because of ladder setup and safety, per Dropcurb. Linear footage is the other big-ticket input, more gutter means more material and more time. Not sure about your home's gutter size? Our Gutter Sizing Calculator helps before you call a pro.

  • Single-story homes pay base labor rates.
  • Two-story homes add a 20-30% surcharge or a flat $100-$200 premium, per Dropcurb.
  • Three-story homes always need a local quote, no standard surcharge exists.
  • 200 linear feet is the typical guesstimate for a 2,000 sq ft home.
  • Steep roofs or tight access push labor higher, but no fixed formula applies.
Story count multiplies labor costs step by step.Funnel chart. Single-story: 100% of base labor rate; Two-story: 120-130% of base labor; Three-story: No fixed surcharge: get a quote.Story count multiplies labor costs step bystep.Single-story100% of base labor rateTwo-story120-130% of base laborThree-storyNo fixed surcharge: get a quote

What do pros charge per foot for each gutter material?

Material cost per foot is the loudest line item. Here's what the numbers say, with each source named, not blended. These are installed prices, as of mid-2026. Get a full cost estimate with our Gutter Cost Calculator.

  • Vinyl: $5-$12 per foot (Modernize). Light, easy to work with, but the least durable.
  • Aluminum: $6-$16.76 per foot (This Old House on the high end, Modernize lower). The most common choice.
  • Steel: $9-$20 per foot (Modernize). Heavy and strong, but rust-prone unless galvanized.
  • Copper: $20-$40+ per foot (Modernize). Adds curb appeal and often outlasts the house.
  • Removal of old gutters costs $1-$2 per foot for a single-story, $2-$4 for two-story, per Dropcurb.
  • Disposal of old metal runs $94-$350, per Dropcurb.
Copper and steel push replacement into five figures.Bar chart. Vinyl: 5; Aluminum: 6; Steel: 9; Copper: 20.Copper and steel push replacement intofive figures.Vinyl5Aluminum6Steel9Copper20

When is full gutter replacement a bad move?

Not every sagging gutter needs to be ripped out. If the troughs are sound but the fasteners are loose, a repair call may cost a fraction of replacement. Ditto for a localized rust spot. Try our Gutter Guard Matcher to check if guards can extend the life of what you have.

  • Minor dips or pulling away at a few hangers: resecuring costs far less.
  • A few rusted sections: sectional replacement is cheaper than a full run.
  • Overflow from clogs: adding gutter guards may solve it without new troughs.
  • Selling soon: cleaning and repairing what's there usually offers a better return than a full swap.
  • But if multiple seams leak, the metal is paper-thin, or you want a different material, replacement makes sense.
Ask these questions before signing a replacement contract.Checklist of 5: Is the fascia board rotting?; Are gutters pulling away at multiple spots?; Is the current material failing throughout?; Would a different size solve overflow issues?; Is now the time to switch from sectional to seamless?.Ask these questions before signing areplacement contract.Is the fascia board rotting?Are gutters pulling away at multiple spots?Is the current material failing throughout?Would a different size solve overflow issues?Is now the time to switch from sectional to seamless?

How do gutter materials stack up on cost and longevity?

No material wins on all fronts. Vinyl is cheap and won't rot, but it cracks in hail. Copper looks high-end but costs a fortune. Here's the real-world trade-off. See specific numbers with the Gutter Cost Calculator.

  • Vinyl: cheapest, DIY-friendly, but brittle in cold.
  • Aluminum: mid-cost, rust-proof, paints easily, but dents.
  • Steel: strong, handles ice, but rusts without maintenance.
  • Copper: premium look, no painting, but pricey and a theft target.
  • Seamless aluminum is the most common replacement choice, fewer leaks, fair price, fast install.
Aluminum balances cost and hassle for most homes.4 fact cards: Vinyl, Aluminum, Steel, Copper.Aluminum balances cost and hassle for mosthomes.VinylLow cost, low durabilityAluminumMid cost, rust-proofSteelHigher cost, strongCopperPremium cost, premium look

Can I replace gutters myself or should I hire?

Single-story homes with simple rooflines are within reach for a careful DIYer with the right ladder setup. Anything taller or trickier belongs to a pro. Our Gutter Cleaning Triage helps you decide when to call a pro for maintenance, too.

  • Single-story: you can DIY if you're comfortable on an extension ladder, with a helper footing it.
  • Two-story or higher: always hire a pro, the fall risk and equipment needs escalate sharply.
  • Never work alone, in wet conditions, or near power lines.
  • DIY only from a properly-set ladder at the gutter line: never walk on the roof.
  • Pro installers bring seamless machines, insurance, and speed that DIY can't match.
DIY gutter replacement safety checklist.Checklist of 6: Helper footing the ladder; Extension ladder on level ground; Three points of contact; Not overreaching to the side; Dry, daytime conditions; No overhead power lines.DIY gutter replacement safety checklist.Helper footing the ladderExtension ladder on level groundThree points of contactNot overreaching to the sideDry, daytime conditionsNo overhead power lines

Questions this page answers

How much does gutter replacement cost for a 2,000 sq ft home?

$2,303-$12,067, per This Old House, as of mid-2026. Vinyl sits at the low end, copper at the high end.

Does home height affect gutter replacement cost?

Yes, two-story homes add 20-30% to labor costs, per Dropcurb. Three-story homes need a custom quote.

What's the cheapest gutter material to replace with?

Vinyl at $5-$12 per foot installed, per Modernize. It's light and easy to work with but less durable.

Should I replace gutters myself?

Only on a single-story home with a helper footing the ladder. Multi-story work is pro-only due to safety.

Do I need to remove old gutters before replacement?

Usually yes. Tear-off labor costs $1-$4 per foot, and disposal runs $94-$350, per Dropcurb.

How long does gutter replacement take?

A pro crew often finishes a typical 200-foot single-story job in one day. DIY takes multiple weekends.

Can I install seamless gutters myself?

No, seamless gutters require a truck-mounted machine and professional installation.

Is gutter replacement tax-deductible?

Gutter replacement is a home improvement, not a tax deduction. Confirm with a tax professional.

Gutter replacement costs $12 to $62 per linear foot installed, as of mid-2026, per This Old House. For a 2,000-square-foot home, the total lands between $2,303 and $12,067, with material and height as the biggest levers. Get an instant estimate with our Gutter Cost Calculator before calling a pro.