Does Gutter Cleaning Pay?

Patrick

We currently install windows, siding and gutters, Thinking about offering gutter cleaning as I get so many calls for it. Can money be made doing this? Is it worth my time? Dont get upset, What can one charge to clean gutters? How often do you do it? Do you set the customer up with a program for cleaning? Also hoping this will get my foot in the door to sell new gutters, gutter protection and siding.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Susan Betz

Sounds like a craigslist job to me. I'd hire a high school kid to do it. I wouldn't even think of hiring a real company for that.

edit: Whoops! forgot you're the craigslist whore. My bad.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

Jason Whipple

I know a lot of gutter companies up here offer a service agreement along with there installation. It can include cleaning once or twice a year and sometimes will include removal and re-installation to avoid gutters breaking off in the winter due to ice build up.

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Patrick

Thanks, I was looking for serious replies, Hoping Grumpy will come along as he offers it. It will be like anything else we do, for serious people with dough to spend. We would come up with a plan, explain how we remove everything, wash them down, clean the outside, check the downspouts, sign them up for however many times a year. Excellent job to use in between projects.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Jason Whipple

Now thats just wrong

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Susan Betz

You don't think I'm serious? OK, I've had one beer and I'm feeling kinda flip right now. You're right, it's a good sideline and could definitely lead to other projects. But I'm not entirely kidding about what I said, either. I would never think to call a company for that service. I'd seriously check out craigslist or hire a high school kid. My point is you'd have to overcome that mindset.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

woodchuck2

I am kind of curious what to charge also, i picked up a small job for this spring of cleaning the gutters and pressure washing the siding of a fello co-workers home "approx 1800' square". I was thinking time/materials at $45 an hour including drive time since it is a 35 mile drive.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

When I was putting myself through school I was doing odd-jobs and gutters were one of them. At the time I was charging around $75-$150 and it only took me about an hour to an hour and a half. Good for me because I had the time and could knock out several in a day. Just make sure you can get enough in one day to make it worth your while, or like you said maybe do a few and lead to future projects.

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Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

KillerToiletSpider

There is a guy in my neighborhood that runs a handyman business, and he charges it out by his regular hourly rate of $55.00 an hour.

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A flush is better than a full house.

A W Smith

in NJ, Ned Stevens comes to mind, The guy has billboards and a fleet of orange mini pickups throughout the state. The guy ED im working with was goin off the other day (he should try decaff) 'How the heck can he make money at 35$ a house?!!!!" he screamed. I said "Ed..Relax!, I don't know and I don't care. Maybe its a franchise"

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

Ed the Roofer

It would be an excellent opportunity to get your foot in the door to sell a gutter protection device. Pick one to 3 of the available brands available to you and upsell them this product as a good-better-best option.

Calculate a 2-4 times per year gutter cleaning life cycle cost and compare that to the installed price of the gutter guard you will be installing.

This type of home owner is already the right candidate to sell these products to.

Their are many other benefits to lilst, why the gutter guard protection would be worth their while, which would defer the only other comaprison, being the initial investment cost.

Ed

Patrick

Sorry its hard to tell, theres one member here who says I am a hack because we have actually sold a few jobs on CL at full price.

Thats why I am posing the question, I am not going to clean someones gutters for $50 What I will do is explain that we are insured, do a proper, safe job, and can solve most problems. What I need to come up with is a per ft number to use just like we do when we sell gutters. We wont offer a by the hour charge, a set price and thats that. Perhaps one price for doing once a year and another price for doing it twice a year, and then a price for expensive gutters guards and new gutters, which would eliminate paying us to clean your gutters.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Susan Betz

Aw, Ed, I seriously wanted to string him along for a few more posts. You are just too nice.

My hubby and I went to the Orlando Home and Garden show today and there were two companies with gutter guard systems there at the show. So there is definitely a market for that. That would be a great upsell.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

Patrick

We are going all out with it at our next show. It was IMO the NUMBER 1 thing people were looking for at the show we were at two weeks ago

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Susan Betz

Hey, if you sold a job for full price on CL more power to you. Why would that make you a hack? I don't get it. Hacks are uninsured, charge below cost, do a crappy job... do you fit that definition? Advertising on CL does not make you a hack. I advertise on CL. I don't get any jobs from it, but that's my problem. I don't consider us hacks.

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Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

Ed the Roofer

I have seen prices range from $ 16.00 per foot all the way to $ 26.00 per foot. Theres Gold in them thar Gutter Guard devices. Thats what they are really protecting.

Heck, I get $ 4.00 per foot for the HD version with the window screening laminated to the diamond punch outs. That more than a gutter sub charges to fabricate and install the actual gutters themselves, for material and labor.

Ed

Magnettica

Can't see why not. Customers are always me to install CATV, telephone, and data lines -- even though I am an electrician -- not a phone guy! If u think it's going to help profit your company why the hell not?

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mahlere

he was my first thought...but then his site wouldn't load up for me...he supposedly covers 7 states...not sure if it's all one company or franchise though...but I guess there is money in anything if done right...

A W Smith

the site listed second loads. Not sure if a squatter took the nedstevens.com site first. but the nedstevensgutters.com loads, You can see his pricing depends on

square footage of home footprint
roof pitch.
detached or attached garage,
single level
multi level.

So there are the variables he uses. he is also explicit in that he uses the customers water, and that his guarantee is only for a short 30 day term.
and payment is due five days after service.

he also upsells seamless gutters, guards, screens and repair.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

EricTheHandyman

I've cleaned gutters for people before. I charge the same no matter what I'm doing, so why not? I'll fix the leaks and sags while I'm up there too.

I got asked to bid on cleaning all the gutters in a townhome complex last year. I didn't really want the job so I bid it double what I normally would have. They gratefully accepted. It turned out that they couldn't find anybody who was willing to do it. So, I made a big fistful of money doing something that wasn't terribly difficult.