Should You DIY or Hire a Professional for Gutter Installation?

Gutter guards are the saviors of our roofs and homes during harsh weather seasons. They provide an essential task in maintaining our homes and roofs. How do they accomplish this? Simply put, they do this by diverting the water flow above our roofs towards designated areas in our backyards, lawns, and gardens. Without the presence of a rain gutter guard system, our home’s exteriors would descend into a plethora of problems such as but not be limited to; a flooded or wet basement, mold and mildew formation, collapsing walls and ceilings, pest infestation, and plant growth, damaged exterior zones due to unbalanced water overflow, and weakened house foundations. You would not be the only one to be afraid of these problems when you read about them at first notice. But fret not! These problems vanish as if they are a relic of an era bygone with the proper installation of high-quality gutter guards to your home!

            That is why properly maintaining our gutter guard system is a vital aspect of our homes. If not maintained frequently, their degradation can give us a much less desired headache. However, as much as we like to talk about the importance of their maintenance, there is one other crucial factor that everyone forgets in the first place, and that is none other than their installation. Now the priorly essential question to ask is, “How to install gutter guards?”. This is only followed by other important questions such as “What is the cost of gutter installation?”, “What are the pros and cons of gutter installation?”, “How long does gutter installation take?”, and “What is seamless gutter installation?”. We will answer all of these questions and more in our blog post prepared for you regarding your gutter guards. 

            There are namely two methods for gutter installation. The first one is, as you guessed it- the DIY (do-it-yourself) method, which involves purchasing adequately high-quality gutters and gutter covers, preparing necessary tools such as ladders, cleaning bags, screwdrivers, and such equipment, arranging a dedicated time period for installation, and cleaning the gutter debris afterward. The second one is a much simpler method that comes with lots of different perks, such as being cost-friendly and less time-consuming, and this is hiring professional gutter installers.

            Hiring professionals to install your gutter guard system will allow you to not worry about any of the abovementioned processes. Now, you might be inclined to say that the way we put this forward makes it seem as if hiring professionals is a much better idea than the DIY method, and you wouldn’t be wrong. While DIY methods can certainly be fun and creative, we most humbly believe that it is also very labor-intensive and time-consuming. However, this doesn’t mean that the DIY doesn’t come with its own set of beneficial perks to the table. So, without further ado, here are our pros and cons for installing your gutters with both the DIY method and through hiring professional installers below!

            There are certain benefits to each method, and we listed them below for you to make your own judgment regarding this.

DIY Gutter Guard Installation

Pros of DIY Gutter Guard Installation

Easy to Install If You Know What You Are Doing

            The title says it all. If you have dealt with roof installation and maintenance such as shingles and solar panels or even have installed gutter guards before, then chances are it’s going to be easy for you. With the right tools and help, you can complete your gutter guard installation in no time!

Reduced Maintenance Costs

            Being able to install your gutter guards also means that you will know your way around them when the time comes for their maintenance, thus, reducing the costs. All you have to do is use similar tools for the installation previously and add in a bunch of cleaning equipment.

Customize Waterflow According to Your Requirements

            This is a bit of a special perk, but a benefit nonetheless. If you don’t supervise the installation of your gutter guard system, chances are the team will still do a good job, but they won’t alter the water flow according to your special necessities. However, if you DIY the gutter installation, you can divert the downspouts to a nearby garden in your backyard, saving you the trouble of watering a certain section of vegetation and trees.

Can Be Cost Efficient If You Already Have the Tools and Time

            As mentioned above, if you dealt with gutter installation beforehand, you probably have the necessary tools for the job once more. You probably would need to purchase thick rags for cleaning and tidying up the debris after the job is done, but other than that, the process of purchasing tools would be limited. If you have time on top of the tools, then you are in for a treat, as it is always a pleasure working on your home, whether by yourself or with friends and family!

Cons of DIY Gutter Guard Installation

Installing Gutter Systems Require Knowledge

            This is where it starts to get tricky. If you have no prior knowledge of installing gutter guard systems, you can probably still learn how to do it, but it would bring potential complications to the table. You might not divert the water flow correctly, which can cause floods. Your gutters might not be placed in ideal positions for harsh weather conditions, and trust us when we say this, even an inch or two of displacement can change the condition that your gutter guards will be in during winter. That’s why we recommend going to the professionals or at least getting help from a friend you know who has been through the process before. 

You Will Need to Purchase the Proper Tools

            If you have never done this installation beforehand or haven’t been into DIY construction for your home, then chances are you will lack some of the equipment necessary. Determining the right tools and equipment, then waiting for their arrival if you ordered them online, or even purchasing them from the local store are all time-consuming activities.

You May Require Assistance with the Installation

            Especially if this is your first time, you will definitely need the extra pair of hands, whether it is for holding the ladder, helping with lifting and placing the heavy metal or micromesh gutter guards, and simply clearing up the messy debris. If you are dealing with a gutter replacement for your existing system, you also have to thoroughly clean them, which can be a hard task by itself.

Installing Gutters in DIY Fashion Can Be Dangerous

            This may sound similar to the point above, but it is so important that it requires extra emphasis. Dealing with any construction-related activity over your roofs can be dangerous to your health. Your roof may be slippery, weather conditions might not be ideal, or you can even drop off from the ladder. Always maintain extreme caution when necessary while dealing with your roofs.

Extensively Time Consuming

            Simply put, this process takes a lot of time. And in our opinion, the single biggest currency in our day is none other than time. Why not spend your time elsewhere for a quality activity with your friends and family instead?

Hiring Professionals for Gutter Guard Installation

Pros of Hiring Professionals for Gutter Guard Installation

The Installation Would Be Much More Efficient

            Professionals know what they are doing and how to do it well. Installing your gutter guards by hiring pros will ensure that you will encounter minimal to zero problems in the foreseeable future. A correct installation also means less maintenance.

Installation by Pros Often Come with Insurance

            If you choose to DIY install your gutter guards, there is a good chance that you void the insurance that comes with it. But if you choose professional installers, chances are they will not only extend the lifetime of your products but also give you separate insurance for their own services.

You Will Not Put Yourself in Danger

            Instead of getting on the roof by yourself or with a loved one, you will be examining the process from a safe distance, with the guarantee of being unharmed.

Less Time Consuming to Watch Pros Do Their Thing

            Professionals often complete their tasks in a single day, in fact even a matter of hours. If you were to take on the project of installing gutter guards yourself, it could potentially take several days, even if you are experienced.

Costs Are Much Lower Especially When You Add the Benefit of Time

            Hiring professionals are much cheaper than what people actually think. You can both support your local community by hiring pros to save yourself time and money all the while. As an added benefit, if you already have an existing gutter system, the gutter guard installation cost can be less in comparison to a total gutter replacement cost. This is because you will be renewing the covers of your gutter guards instead of changing the entire system by itself.

Cons of Hiring Professionals for Gutter Guard Installation

Hiring Professionals May Diminish the Fun of the DIY Process

            If you are a person that likes to get your hands dirty even though it will be time-consuming, then you might find that examining the process from a safe distance might not be your thing. In this case, you need to go up there are install things by yourself.           

You May Still Require Maintenance

            Even if installed by professionals, gutter guard systems may require regular maintenance unless you purchased a debris-free gutter guard such as the micromesh variants. So, make sure that the gutter guards you acquire are the right ones to keep your home safe and your thoughts worry-free.

Final Verdict: DIY or Hire Professionals for Gutter Guard Installation?

            All in all, the process of DIY might sound fun and creative, but we still suggest opting for hiring professionals when it comes to gutter guard installation. As you have read above, they are faster, more efficient, safer, and less time-consuming in the majority of situations. Chances are they will also be more budget-friendly if you lack the equipment. Thus, we would recommend choosing professional installation from your local premises to have the best results for your gutter guard systems!

            At Art of Gutter, we strive to provide you with the best quality gutter materials for your family home or venue. Our high-tech and innovative gutter guards are durable, efficient, and reliable. Whether you are looking for debris proof 5” micromesh gutter guards or highly durable and long-lasting Waterlock Pro gutter guards with color options, we have you covered.  You can check out our online store for 5 inches, and 6 inches gutter guards that fit into existing and new roofs for any structure. We additionally produce custom size gutter guards according to your needs. Feel free to contact us anytime through our website for more information regarding the best gutter guard systems in the US!

            This is the end of our blog post for “Should You DIY or Hire a Professional for Gutter Installation?”! If you are interested in learning more information regarding gutters, gutter cleaning, and gutter protection products, you can check our other blogs such as “Replacing Damaged Gutter Guards”, “5 Gutter Solutions to Fix Common Problems”, & “Best Gutter Guard Materials for Your Home”.

            We’re sure you’ll find more information in regards to gutters and home care with our future blog posts as well. Until next time, be safe and in good vibes!