I recently had a customer ask me what type of gutter guards I recommend or if I would recommend even using them. I don’t sell them but I have installed them before. Do you recommend them to customers or do you discourage? And if so what kinds work the best. Her home has many trees around.
Window Cleaning Kelowna, BC - Windows, Gutters, Cleaners & More Next Level Window Cleaning
None gutter guards are terrible. I don’t know one that won’t fail or stop all debris.
I don’t know how big their home is but let’s say it’s about 2700 sqft and would cost $2000 for a decent guard. I charge $149 for a basic clean out. If they only get their gutters cleaned once a year it would 14 years for them to spend more on cleaning then the guards. And if they do get guards they will need to be cleaned at some point and I know I charge way more to clean if I have to remove and reattach guards.
Put them on a cleaning plan and sell them downspout guards. More profitable for you and way better for them.
Which downspout guards do you use?
I have found gutter guards to be more work than function, especially if there are pine trees about. I also alert customers to the fact that even though they buy gutter guards to be installed at a premium price for “product + install” they will be calling me, or someone else, to come back out and clean the debris out. Hard to beat good old maintenance. Sell it 2 - 3 times a year at a savings to the customer.
Similarity is it’s funny how people with “self cleaning glass” also call you to come out and clean their glass. Hmmmm.
Plastic leaf strainer. I charge $11 each to install
plastic wedge strainer $16 to install
People love them. I offer both and its about a 60/40 split bewteen the two with the cheaper one being bought more. I use the wedge on my house, works great.
Both can be bought from CWC supply. One of the very few things I still buy from them.
Dont want to post a link to a different window cleaning supply company, kind of disrespectful
There are pros and cons for using guards I use to install them years ago when I first started out, we used the metal screen like rabbit cage screen on top then those were a real pain to clean and the clips kept coming off of the gutter so we dished those and went plastic.
Bought them at Home Depot, completely flat and solid on top and have have a little slit in front that allows the rain to centrifugally go into the gutter, I would say that it is job security to install him so that you have to come back periodically to clean them but then on the other hand it makes the customer from having you come back because they may feel that they do not need to have it cleaned since they are there to protect the gutters from debris falling inside
Thanks for the tips. I don’t understand the 2700 sqft for 2000$ evaluation. I’ve seen guards for around 1.50-2.00$ per foot. Most homes average 175 linear ft. Of gutter.
I can’t say I believe in them either though. Every house I’ve seen that has them still builds up needles that eventually get through and then it takes more time to clean them because you have to take the guards off.
There are a few that I’ve found to work very well, but as said, most are a bust and angering to have to remove or loosen to do their job for them.
I tell everyone leaf guard or gutter helmet which are extremely expensive(most houses 5 figures) and how they could just pay us to come 2ce a year for 20 years and still save $. Works like a charm.
Imo, those systems are the only ones that truly work
I want to revive this bad boy.
I have a customer tomorrow who is having me come out the second time THIS YEAR to clean her gutters and guess what. She had some people install that cheap ol’ Lowe’s stuff on her gutters and they’re still getting clogged. She has a tree right over her front gutters so I would like to recommend something that can deal with that. Also I’m in Cali and freezing isn’t an issue.
I’ve gone through the search but some links aren’t working anymore. I’ve seen leaf guard has been recommended, does anyone have any other recommendations?
My current and honest answer is I haven’t seen any gutter guards that have worked effectively 
Not sure if you you folks across the pond have it but hedgehog gutter guard is by far the best thing i have installed for several customers.Literally keep everything out from clogging gutters up and maintains the flow.
had a customer have us remove these from his gutter because they “never work”
Take pictures and show her how they don’t work. If she wants to keep them that is an upcharge.
Gutter cleaning is a part of maintenance, just like lawn care, pool care, housecleaning, and window cleaning.
I have removed two of those kinds and a couple of the sponge types as well.
How long have they lasted so far?
A few have had them in for 2-3 years now and no issues.
