Gutters are a key component in keeping your home dry and free of leaks. When they start to fail, it’s important to know gutter replacement costs so you can budget accordingly and replace them as soon as possible.
Allowing gutters to leak will soon lead to damp issues around the home. You’ll need to treat the damp, which can lead to unwanted and costly repairs. It makes sense to replace the gutters, as it will save money in the long run.
Here, we look at the cost of new gutters and the factors that affect it.
Factors that affect gutter replacement cost
The cost of replacing gutters depends on several factors. Being aware of what these are is important to avoid unpleasant surprises.
DIY expert Steve Jenkins shares what makes the difference: “The overall cost of gutter replacement will depend on the size of the house you live in, the type of dwelling and how easy it is to access the current guttering.”
He adds. “The more guttering you have, the more it will cost. So it makes sense that a detached house will typically cost more than a terraced house.” A single-storey dwelling, such as a bungalow, can help reduce costs, continues Jenkins, “A bungalow rarely needs scaffolding to replace guttering, which can significantly reduce the costs.”
Finally, the type of guttering used makes a difference, as Jenkins notes: “PVCu half-round guttering is commonly the least expensive, with variations such as square and ogee costing more.” He adds, “There are other options, including aluminium and cast iron, which are more expensive, but are not so common as PVCu.”
Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator and a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years
Try these to replace your old guttering
This PVCu rainwater gutter set includes all parts you’ll need to replace your current guttering. Choose from four colours and sizes ranging from three to eight metres.
All guttering requires a stop end to prevent rainwater from spilling directly onto the ground. This 112mm black stop end is suitable for half-round guttering and fits round downpipes.
Guttering is prone to accumulating leaves and debris, which can reduce its effectiveness. This four-metre black gutter brush effectively prevents leaves and debris from settling in gutters.
Andy Bray is a DIY and construction expert with over 20 years’ experience helping homeowners, renovators, and small businesses tackle projects safely and efficiently. He specialises in practical solutions for working at height, handling materials, and choosing the right tools for home improvements.
What is the average cost of gutter replacement?
The cost of gutter replacement depends on size, complexity and materials. As a general guideline, you can expect to pay £100-£250 per linear metre.
For a three-bedroom house, Andy Bray, Managing Director of Access Platform Sales, suggests the following: “uPVC replacement on a typical three‑bed home lands between £1100 and £1800 when installers can use mobile towers and work in good weather.” He adds, “If a cherry picker or access platform is needed for awkward elevations, expect roughly £1300 to £2200.”
However, many homes will require full scaffolding for gutter replacement, which will again affect the overall cost, Bray continues. “Where full scaffolding is required for height, duration or complex rooflines, the range usually moves to £2000 to £3200.” However, Bray adds a note for easy access. “With good access and clear parking, most three‑beds come in at the lower half of these bands.”
Different types of homes can affect price. For example, a bungalow. Bray says, “Bungalows are single-storey and often manageable with towers, so uPVC replacements commonly fall in the £1,200 to £2,200 range despite longer runs.”
Terrace houses are typically cheaper, Bray points out, “Mid‑terraces can be cheaper on materials but trickier on street access, so expect roughly £700 to £1,900 depending on whether a tower, an access platform or scaffold is needed.”
As you might expect, larger homes can cost more, as Bray points out, “Larger semis and detached homes have more metres and corners, and scaffolding is more likely, so £3,000 to £5,500 is typical for uPVC.”
One point notes Bray: “Conservatories, extensions and high gables tend to nudge jobs to the upper end of the price range.”
Which types of gutter are the most expensive?
The style and material of guttering go a long way towards what it will cost to buy, but before selecting the cheapest products you can lay your hands on, do bear in mind that your choice of rainwater goods can really affect the kerb appeal of your home.
"The popular choice and typically most cost-effective is PVCu guttering, but different styles can up the price,” says Jenkins, “For example, half round is commonly the cheapest, with square guttering adding to the price.” Ogee style guttering is more expensive again.
Other options include aluminium and cast iron. Cast iron is a popular choice for period homes. Aluminium prices vary, but are generally slightly higher than PVCu. Cast-iron guttering typically costs around four times as much as the same-style PVCu guttering.
Replacement or repairs?
You don't want to pay out for complete gutter replacement if all that is needed is some simple running repairs. Cleaning gutters can resolve issues such as rainwater leaking over the gutter.
Jenkins says, “Gutter cleaning costs start at around £40-£50, so it makes sense to sort first. And, if this solves any issues, you will save a fortune."
Signs that might indicate your gutters need cleaning include:
- Sagging: If gutters look uneven or as though they are sagging this could indicate extra weight from a blockage.
- Water running down walls: Water streaming down exterior walls when it rains indicates your gutters are not doing their job and are likely to be overflowing.
- Leaking gutter joints: If you notice water dripping from joins where sections of guttering meet it could be a sign they are blocked — or need repairing.
- Damp patches: Areas of damp or mould on walls could well be a sign that water is getting into your house due to blocked or faulty rainwater goods.
Replacing gutters can prevent a range of related issues, including mould on outside walls. It’s also a good time to inspect your roof for any issues. Check our roof leak repair costs guide to see how much you can expect to pay. While your home's exterior is being repaired, it's a good time to complete the work by painting the exterior.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
