You suspect your gutters are failing. You may have an older home, or you may have just purchased a fixer and a home inspector has determined that your home needs a gutter replacement. But how do you start the process? This handy guide will help you tackle the many complexities of a gutter replacement project.

Step One: Determine whether you will tackle the project yourself or hire a gutter installer.

For some homeowners, this will be easy to determine. You may already know that you lack the proper experience to take on a gutter replacement. If this is you, skip to Step Two.

If you are handy and are considering tackling a gutter replacement yourself, The following pointers will help you make an informed decision.

Perceived Value

Perceived value is a person’s perception of the merit of a product or service. Consider “perceived value” when deciding whether to take on a large home repair project such as a gutter replacement. If you are considering doing your own gutter replacement, you likely believe that you will save money by doing so.

When factoring in gutter replacement costs, it is important to consider many factors. Be sure to total all your expenses before making your decision.

When factoring all your costs, Include lost time at work and the cost of tools and supplies necessary for a gutter replacement project. Consider that you will need to arrange delivery of all the gutter installation materials needed for the project. Gutter material deliveries can be expensive.

Be sure to include all the time needed to plan for a DIY gutter replacement. This includes time spent preparing for the project, product research, installation research, purchase of materials, travel time, gas, and material prep time. Then calculate the time needed to do the actual gutter replacement project. As a novice, it will likely take more time than it would for the pros to tackle it.

After the project is finished, be sure to calculate time and costs for clean-up, waste disposal, and other incidental items. Also factor in margin of error possibilities from lack of experience, which can lead to costly mistakes. Injuries can occur from working on a ladder for long periods of time without previous experience.

Tools and Supplies

You will need many tools for a gutter replacement job. It is recommended that you add up the cost of all materials and supplies before you decide to tackle this project yourself.

Some of the tools needed for new gutters include these four types of saws: skill saw, jigsaw, chop saw, and table saw. You will also need a cordless drill and bit set, tool belt, router, and hammer. There may be other tools needed as well, depending on the type of gutters you decide to purchase.

When all of the above has been calculated, you may opt to hire a professional for your gutter replacement. If this is the case, read below.

Step Two: Hire a gutter installer.

Hiring a professional gutter installation company is usually the best way to go when starting a gutter replacement project. Here are several reasons why:

Experience

Nothing compares to the years of experience seasoned gutter installation experts have. They have likely “seen it all” through their years in the gutter industry. They have wide experience with all kinds of gutter products and installations, and they already know how to safely remove gutters from your house and properly dispose of them. Gutter installers are also already conditioned to work safely on tall ladders for hours at a time. They know how to work expeditiously and get your gutter installation project done fast.

Professionalism

A good professional gutter installer will have the knowledge, experience, custom skills, and proper tools for a successful and seamless gutter replacement. This combined skill set ensures a smooth, seamless project from start to finish.

Licensing and Insurance

A good gutter replacement company will have the necessary licensing and insurance in place, ensuring that your gutter installation will be protected from liability and costly mistakes throughout the entire process.

Other qualities to look for in a gutter installer include work ethic, excellence, discipline, commitment, and integrity. Make some calls and talk to several professional gutter installers before you choose one. These qualities should be evident when you call about your gutter replacement project.

After you have done all your necessary due diligence, you can have confidence in making an informed decision about whom to entrust your gutter replacement project to, for a result you will be happy with for many years to come.

To talk to The Gutter Specialist about your gutter replacement project, call (860) 876-2227.