Garden & outdoors
Guttering cost calculator
Replacing plastic guttering is a simple, satisfying job, but it is ladder work, and working at height is where DIY jobs go wrong. Use a proper ladder or tower, get help, and never overreach.
- Full DIY
- £180
- Smart Hybrid
- £180
- Full Trade
- £450
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
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Smart Hybrid saves £270 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£180
- Materials
- £153
- Labour
- £0
- Extras
- £30
- You take on: remove old guttering, fit guttering and downpipes.
- Everything else stays with a trade.
- This is ladder work. If your gutters are above single-storey height, or you’re not confident on a ladder, it’s worth paying a trade even though there’s no legal requirement to.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Strip out
- Remove old gutteringYou · ~0.5 days
- 2
Fitting
- Fit guttering and downpipesYou · ~0.8 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Guttering£5412 m of run ÷ 4 m lengths = 3 lengths
- Brackets£4912 m ÷ 1 m spacing + 2 spare = 14 brackets
- Downpipes£322 × £16 = £32
- Outlets£181 per downpipe × 2 downpipes
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Length of run
Gutter lengths, brackets and joints scale with the length of the roofline.
- 2
Material
Plastic is cheapest. Cast-effect and aluminium cost more but last much longer.
- 3
Number of downpipes
Each downpipe adds pipe, outlets and brackets.
- 4
Height and access
A single-storey run is easy. Two storeys needs a tower or scaffold, and is usually worth paying for.
- 5
Fascia condition
Rotten fascia boards need replacing first or the new gutters will not hold.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- Single-storey guttering with a stable ladder
- Cleaning gutters
- Fitting a new downpipe
Leave to a pro
- Two-storey or high gutters needing scaffold
- Replacing rotten fascias and soffits
- Anything on a steep or fragile roof
The rules
No regulations apply, but working at height rules apply to professionals, and you should treat ladder work seriously. Do not work alone.
DIY guide
How to replace guttering, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Stable extension ladder or access tower
- Cordless drill and driver
- Spirit level and string line
- Hacksaw
- Gutter sealant or rubber seals
- Bucket
Materials
- Gutter lengths and stop ends
- Brackets
- Downpipe and outlet fittings
- Joint seals and fixings
- Fascia fixings
- 1
Check access and safety first
~0.25 daysMake sure you can reach the whole run from a stable ladder or tower with someone footing it. If the gutters are above single-storey height or you are not confident, pay a trade.
Falls from ladders cause many serious injuries every year. Never overreach and do not work alone.
- 2
Measure and order
~0.25 daysMeasure the length of each run and count corners, outlets and downpipes. Gutter lengths are usually 4m. Order extra fittings and brackets, because it is easier than going back.
- 3
Remove the old guttering
~0.5 daysSupport each section as you unscrew brackets, working from one end. Take down the downpipes and put everything in a skip bag.
- 4
Check and repair the fascia
~0.25 daysLook for rot. Repair or replace any soft board before fitting new brackets, as brackets need solid fixings.
- 5
Set the fall and fit the brackets
~0.5 daysFix a bracket at the outlet position, then one at the far end with a slight fall towards the downpipe (a few millimetres per metre), following the manufacturer guidance. Run a string line between them and fit brackets about every metre.
- 6
Fit the gutter and joints
~0.5 daysClip the gutter lengths into the brackets, join them with seals and union clips, and fit stop ends and outlets. Overlap joins slightly so water flows downhill over the seam.
- 7
Fit the downpipes and test
~0.25 daysFix the downpipe to the outlet with clips every 1.5–2m and check it discharges to a drain or soakaway. Pour a bucket of water along the gutter and check for leaks.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Working from an unstable ladder or overreaching
- No fall to the downpipe, so water pools in the gutter
- Fitting brackets too far apart so the gutter sags
- Reusing rotten fascia boards
- Forgetting joint seals, which then leak
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace guttering?
For a typical 12 m run with 2 downpipes, mid-range plastic guttering and the old guttering removed, expect from around £180 doing it yourself to £450 with a contractor. The main cost with a trade is access — ladders or scaffold towers for anything above single storey.
How much does guttering cost per metre?
Mid-range heavy-duty plastic guttering costs around £18 per metre. Budget plastic is cheaper; premium cast-effect or aluminium guttering costs considerably more but lasts much longer.
Can I fit my own guttering?
Yes — there’s no notifiable work involved, and plastic guttering clips together without specialist tools. The real risk is working at height, not the plumbing itself: use a proper ladder or tower, never overreach, and get help holding lengths in place.
How do I know if my guttering needs replacing?
Look for sagging sections, cracks, leaking joints, or plants growing in silted-up gutters. Water staining down the wall below a joint usually means it needs resealing or replacing rather than just clearing out.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.