What to Ask a Gutter Cleaner Before Booking

Is the full length of every gutter cleared?

Ask whether every run around the house is included, front, back and sides, and whether that covers extensions, porches and garages. Some quotes only cover the main house.

Clearing just the overflowing section often leaves silt elsewhere that causes the next blockage.

Are outlets and downpipes checked?

A clear gutter draining into a blocked downpipe will still overflow. Ask whether outlets are freed and downpipes checked as standard, and what happens if a pipe is blocked.

Downpipe checks are part of every clearance we carry out. See our downpipe unblocking page.

Where does the debris go?

Debris should be removed and bagged, not washed down the downpipes where it lodges further down. Ask whether paths and patios below will be left tidy.

It is a simple question that says a lot about how carefully the work is done.

How will I see the result?

High gutters cannot be seen from the ground. Ask whether you will receive before-and-after photographs or camera footage. Our clearances come with before-and-after photographs.

Photographs are especially useful for landlords and owners who are not on site.

What happens if a fault is found?

Cleaning often reveals leaking joints, loose brackets or sagging sections. Ask whether repairs will be described and quoted separately for your approval, rather than added to the bill without asking.

Our gutter repairs are always quoted separately.

Insurance and access

Ask whether the company carries public liability insurance and how they will reach each part of the house safely, including gutters above conservatories. Ask whether you need to be home and whether any gates need unlocking.

Our guide on scaffolding for gutter cleaning explains access in more detail.

Do you need to be home?

Ask whether you need to be present. For most clearances you do not, as long as every side of the house can be reached and gates are unlocked. Knowing this helps you plan around work.

Mention pets in the garden, locked gates or alarms.

What about conservatories and extensions?

Ask how gutters above a conservatory, porch or extension will be reached, and whether those lower roofs' own gutters are included. These areas are often where quotes differ most.

Ladders should never rest on a conservatory roof.

Is the roof checked too?

Some homeowners assume a gutter clean includes a roof inspection. Usually it does not, though obvious issues seen while working, such as heavy moss or a slipped tile, may be pointed out. If you want the roof assessed, ask for that separately.

Our roof inspection includes a photo report.

How soon can you come?

Ask about timing, particularly in autumn when gutter work is in demand. If water is pouring down a wall, say so; it helps prioritise. Avoid anyone who pressures you to decide on the spot.

Getting a quote early lets you plan the date around leaf fall and weather.

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious of anyone who knocks on the door claiming your gutters or roof urgently need work, pressures you to decide immediately, or will not put the quote in writing. A reputable company will be happy for you to take time and compare.

If in doubt, ask for photographs of the problem they say they have seen.

Ask what they will need from you

A good gutter cleaner will ask questions too: the height of the house, what sits under the gutters, where you have seen overflow and how each side is reached. If a quote arrives without any of these being discussed, it may be based on guesswork.

Sending clear ground-level photographs at the start helps any company quote accurately.

Comparing quotes

Once you have answers, compare what is actually included rather than just the headline figure. A slightly higher quote that covers the whole system, downpipes and photographs may be better value than a cheaper one that does not.

For a free quote from us, send photographs through the form on this page, WhatsApp or call.

Choosing a local gutter cleaner

When searching for gutter cleaning near you, look for a company that covers your area, explains how it will reach your gutters, clears the outlets and downpipes as well as the gutter, and tells you plainly about any repairs it notices. Photos before and after, a free quote and clear contact details are good signs. We are based in Petersfield and cover Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.