Gutter Cleaning Service
Clean gutters and downspouts for residential and commercial buildings
Overview
Gutter cleaning services remove leaves, debris, and buildup from gutters and downspouts preventing water damage to properties.
You use ladders, safety equipment, cleaning tools, and charge per house ($100-300) or by linear footage.
Success requires safety practices working at heights, efficiency, and thoroughness.
Startup costs are very low - ladders (you may own), safety harness, leaf blower, buckets, and gloves under $1,000.
The service is straightforward but necessary - clogged gutters cause expensive damage making this preventative maintenance homeowners need.
Revenue is seasonal - fall (leaf removal) and spring (debris clearing) are peak seasons though year-round in some climates.
Efficiency determines income - experienced cleaners finish most homes in 1-2 hours.
Marketing works through seasonal Facebook ads, door hangers, lawn signs in target neighborhoods, and referral incentives.
Many operators add complementary services - gutter repair, installation, pressure washing, window cleaning, or Christmas light installation to extend seasonal revenue.
Challenges include heights (not for everyone), seasonal income fluctuations, and ladder safety.
Success factors include safety practices, competitive pricing, reliability, and offering multiple seasons of value (fall leaves, spring debris, gutter repairs).
The business can start part-time and scale to multiple crews.
Required Skills
- Ladder Safety
- Physical Fitness
- Efficiency
- Customer Service
- Height Comfort
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely low startup costs
- Essential preventative service
- Simple service to deliver
- Strong seasonal demand (fall)
- Easy to add complementary services
Cons
- Seasonal revenue (fall heavy)
- Safety risks working at heights
- Weather-dependent work
- Physically demanding
- Income limited by hours worked
How to Get Started
- Purchase safety equipment and professional ladders
- Get liability insurance
- Set pricing per house or linear footage
- Market seasonally (fall focus) with Facebook ads
- Distribute door hangers in target neighborhoods
- Build client list for annual service
- Add gutter repairs or installation for upsells
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