Rain Gutter Calculator To Get Total Materials & Cost

Installing new rain gutters? Our handy calculator makes it easy to estimate needed materials and costs.

How To Calculate The Gutters You Need

Figuring out how much material you need for new rain gutters can be tricky. The main factors are the size of your home, the number of stories, and what type of material you want to use. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Taking measurements. Getting accurate results starts with taking careful measurements, so let me walk you through the process. First, take a stroll around your home, assessing all sides that need new gutters. Using a tape measure, note the length along the perimeter at ground level, following the various dips and turns of the roofline. Be sure to include the main house, plus bump outs, returns, valleys, garages and any other extensions. For homes with complex shapes, tackle each section separately then total them up. Next, turn your attention to width, measuring across all sides from edge to edge. Don’t forget to include wider areas like garages as well as returns and valleys again. Add together all the width sections. Note. If you have an l-shaped or different shape home, rather than a rectangle/square, you will need to estimate individual sections one at a time and add them together for best results.

Stories and levels. Think about your home’s layout. A standard single story house needs a basic set of gutters. But for a two-story home, you’ll need about 80% more material to handle that extra upper level. And a three-story house will require a whopping 150% more material than a single floor! Split-level homes fall in the middle – you’ll probably need around 50% extra.

Materials. You will want to pick your preferred gutter material. Aluminum is the most popular choice. It lasts 20-30 years, lightweight, and rust-resistant. Vinyl gutters are budget-friendly for smaller homes but have fewer color options. Or you can go premium with steel or copper gutters. Steel resists harsh weather and lasts 20-40 years. Gorgeous copper develops a unique patina over 50+ years – but costs a pretty penny!

Material Prices. On average, aluminum runs $6.50 per linear foot. Vinyl is $4.50/foot. Stepping up to steel will cost around $9/foot, while high-end copper can be $20/foot or more. Prices vary, so get multiple estimates. And remember to calculate for all reaches of the roofline – it’s easy to end up needing more material than expected!

Downspouts. It’s necessary to have enough downspouts to efficiently drain water off the roof. The standard recommendation is to have a downspout every 30-40 feet, but for larger homes or those in rainy climates, more are often needed. I’d recommend a minimum of 4 downspouts for small homes under 1,500 square feet, 6 for mid-sized homes between 1,500-2,500 square feet, and at least 8 for larger homes. Strategically placing additional downspouts in corners, valleys, or near steep sections can prevent water from overflowing gutters.

Leaf guards. If you plan on installing leaf guards, we’ve included some basic calculations to get a full cost analysis. Basic mesh screens around $4.50 per linear foot provide protection from smaller debris, but still require frequent maintenance. For better debris blocking with less cleaning, leaf guards run about $7.50. I don’t usually recommend do-it-yourself installs though since improper placement reduces effectiveness. Lastly, Gutter Helmet systems around $12 per linear foot provide the most comprehensive protection to help keep debris out. 

Final cost analysis. The tool calculates the total gutter footage needed plus all the essential hardware: seamless gutters, drain pipes, sturdy brackets placed every 2 feet, end caps to finish off the edges, and even leaf guards if you choose. Experienced crews charge $4 per linear foot for basic single-story homes which is included in the price. More complex projects like multi-level houses or tricky layouts will incur additional fees. And if you opt for premium copper gutters over aluminum, that premium material upgrade will increase the price too.

Material Adjustments:

• 2 Stories: 80% more materials
• 3 Stories: 150% more materials
• Split Level: 50% more materials

Labor Multipliers:

• 2 Stories: 2x labor cost
• 3 Stories: 3x labor cost
• Split Level: 1.75x labor cost

Additional Equipment Fees:

• 2 Stories: $250 for scaffolding/ladders
• 3 Stories: $500 for extended scaffolding/lifts
• Split Level: $200 for modified equipment

The total estimate combines materials and labor so you get an all-in price that covers the whole project. There are some additional costs that are not calculated in the results. These are the removal of any old gutters, potential fascia board/dry rot repair, roof soffit repairs, paint matching and cleanup and disposal of items.

(* This tool is for entertainment purposes only – make sure to double check all results before purchasing materials) With accurate measurements in hand, you’ll get an estimate of materials and bottom line costs from our rain gutter calculator. Then you can decide if it makes sense to DIY or hire a pro. Let me know if any part of the measuring process needs clarification. Accurate input leads to accurate output!