There are many questions a homeowner could ask a gutter contractor. The most critical are license, warranty, and price. Please the following list of 12 essential questions to ask a gutter cleaning, repair, installation, and replacement contractor.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
You want to be sure that your contractor has all the proper licenses with your municipality. You also want to confirm that the contractor has insurance not to be liable for any workplace injuries.
2. Do you have references?
A good contractor will provide references that you can confirm. You can also read reviews and see the quality of work previously performed.
3. Will this affect my roof’s warranty?
This is a straight yes or no answer. If a contractor doesn’t give you a straight answer, then don’t take a chance. In some cases, homeowners have been surprised by a voided roof warranty because the gutter work disturbed the roofline.
4. How long will it take?
Most gutter jobs take about a day. Unusually large homes or complex rooflines might take a day or two longer. Also, check what the rescheduling policy is in case of bad weather.
5. Can I get that in writing?
All contractors should be willing to give you a written estimate. If they don’t, or if they balk, then send them away immediately!
6. What are the terms of payment?
It’s not unusual for a contractor to ask for a deposit, which should be about 25% of the total cost. Be wary of deposits higher than 30%, as this may de-incentivize the contractor from getting the job done on time.
7. Who will supervise the project?
Communication is essential between your contractor and you. You should meet the person who will be supervising to make sure that you can ask any questions or express concerns adequately and that you can both work together.
8. Are you using seamless gutters?
Seamless gutters present fewer opportunities for leaks, but they usually cost more than the standard 10-foot sections. Some companies can manufacture seamless gutters right on your property, convenient if you have unusual features on your roofline.
9. Do you warranty labor and materials?
You shouldn’t have to settle for just the manufacturer’s warranty on the gutters. Hire a contractor who will warranty his or her craftsmanship as well. If they’re not willing to stand by their work, you shouldn’t be willing to give them your money.
10. Do you install covers as well?
Most contractors do install covers and gutter guards as well as gutter systems. However, they are not considered part of a system, so you shouldn’t assume they will be included in your quote. Discuss this extra cost with your contractor.
11. How thick is the aluminum on these aluminum gutters?
Most installers use .024” to .027” thick aluminum. While this is fine in most situations, areas with heavy rains benefit from thicker aluminum such as .032”, which is the thickest in the industry and can support all that water with minimal worry about sagging from a large volume of water. (Water weighs about 8.5 pounds per gallon.)
12. Do you use subcontractors?
Some general contractors (GC) will use subcontractors. If they use the same subcontractors each time, this usually isn’t a problem as the GC knows what to expect in terms of its quality. If they use different subcontractors each time, you may have a problem with complaints and which company is responsible.
