Requests from customers for gutter cleaning

[mykee]

Is there anyone out there who have had requests from grass customers for gutter cleaning? If so how do you charge for this service. I've had several requests but these gutters would be a gardening experience as they have small trees growing out of them. I figure a 16 foot extension ladder and a power sprayer could be a decent investment if you could do a spring and fall cleaning. Any input would be appreciated

[thelawnguy]

Why would you want to be a yard ape climbing around on somebodys roof when theres plenty of $$$ to be had down on terra firma.<p>Have you done a search? This has been rehashed before. Better check that your insurance will cover you if you do work like this, otherwise you might find yourself doing the Christopher Reeves impression on a streetcorner with a tin cup lashed to your chair.<p>To answer your question, the going rate around here (from the transients who are the only ones willing to do this work) is a buck per linear foot of gutter with a 75 minimum.<p>Bill<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: thelawnguy

[geogunn]

mykee--good topic. you should need a 24 foot ladder and something that is several feet long like a gardening trowel that will fit in the gutter so you can rake the crap towards you. the best way to clean them is the manual way, by hand. use several trash bags and when they get heavy just drop 'em on the lawn. cleanup time...aproximately one minute!<p>bill--thanks to people like you I've made a bunch of money cleaning gutters. and it's all gravey! any house where I live can be done in 20 minutes oe less and I usually ask only about 40 bucks. it seems everytime I do a gutterjob the owner, which oftentime is a little old lady, calls all her friends because she's got someone there doing the work. heck! I've done 6 or 7 houses in a row in 2 hours. that aint bad money!<p>now excuse me while while I get out the fiddle and play some tunes from the old country so that my wife and children can dance around the campfire.:(<p>GEO

[mykee]

not too bad 2 replies in a few hours one con and one pro. I am a new member so would appreciate hearing more. I started my lawn care business with a partner back just this March. He wanted out and I bought out his half just last week. I am trying to expand a bit and thought about gutters because customers are asking NOW the first response from Bill sounds like he could be my ex partner!!! If he wasen't on the riding mower or maybe using the blower to clear the walk and drive he diden't really care for the business. We really missed spring clean up season and he wanted to get out before leaves fall and he might find himself loading leaves on the trailer. As for the reply from Geogunn thanks for the help but let me ask are you using a pressure washer or maybe the customer water supply and a garden hose???? thanks again

[geogunn]

mykee--for gutters that are really full and haven't been cleaned in a while, the leaves set up into a clump that kind of breaks up when you dig'em out. this would be by hand and with the aid of something like a garden trowel to extend your reach. this leaves very little else in the bottom of the gutter.<p>sometimes I'll spray the garden hose into the gutter and that washes the very last of the leaves to the spout end if they have a strainer in the downspout or down the downspout if they don't. no need for a pressure washer.<p>otherwise, if the gutter is pretty clean, I just let the next rain wash down the last few leaves.<p>cleaning gutters is manual work. it moves quickly however and the money is good, in my opinion.<p>when I started mowing and didn't have all the grass I needed, the gutters ammounted to a couple of hundred bucks a week (on the busy weeks). there have been several times when I've cleaned the gutters and then been asked for a bid on the lawn.<p>good luck.<p>GEO

[MOW ED]

I almost bought the last ride on a cedar roof 40 ft off the ground a few years ago. Right then I decided if I ever do gutters again its on my terms - 1 story house, composite roof, 4-12 , 6-12 pitch. I use a backpack blower and I am on and off in 10 for 40 bucks. I leave the tough ones for the guys that want to do it. Good Luck.

[geogunn]

mow ed, you are right. hard roofs are more, tough roofs are much more, potential hurt me roofs are not at all.<p>GEO

[Toddppm]

i recently stopped advertising for gutter cleaning with my other services because too many people were calling just for that service, i have been telling them unless they have some other work to go with it i won't do it. we charged at least $40, done them for up to 175 for gutters with screwed down guards(pain). i will do just gutters for my regular customers and people i've done before because i don't have to waste a trip estimating a$40 job.we use a blower too, either blow the trash on the ground off to the side or rake it up, goes pretty fast for most jobs. There are a couple very large companies around here that specialize in cleaning along with repairs and installations.i have no idea what they charge but must be pretty high.

[Dennis]

I do gutter cleaning for most of my customers on a reg. basis, usually at least 4 times a year.<br>it is very easy,I just get on the roof and blow them out, if they are full, then I will clean them out with my hands and then blow them. I usually charge $15.00 if I am onsite and it is a customer I normally work for. A callin request is $25.00 min,depending on size, roof pitch etc.

[lawnMaster5000]

I have done some gutter cleaning but not alot. In my experiences i can make a good $40 in 10 or 20 minutes. Just use your backpack blower put on an extra hose lenght so you can stick it down into the gutter. what falls out you leave lay if it falls on the deck or front porch i will blow that off also. FOr those w/ a gutter guard i charge to remove and reinstal although all that is needed is pulling the end up a little so the debri can slip out.

[Guido]

I saw this thread when it was first posted and I didn't have time to reply, but its been in the back of my head ever since!! As a matter of fact, this is the first thing that came to my mind this morning at breakfast when I was reading the July issue of Landscape Management magazine. There was an excelent article in their called KNOW YOUR BOUNDRIES. It gives your 3 options on what to do with a job that is not exactly your specialty, and what the effects of those 3 options will be on your customers. (1, do it!, 2, sub it out, or 2, turn it down) There was a good quote I remember from there, something along the lines of.......BECAUSE YOU CAN OFFER EVERY SERVICE UNDER THE SUN, DOES NOT NECCESARILY MAKE YOU A PROFESSIONAL IN ALL OF THEM. A REAL PROFESSIONAL IS THE ONE WHO CAN TURN A JOB DOWN, BECAUSE ITS OUT OF THEIR FIELD. Something like that, you get the idea.<p>Now heres my 2 cents worth. cleaning gutters is a quick money maker, and if you can use a hammer, some sealent, and a cheap little pop rivit gun, you can make a killing off repairs while your up there. All the part can be bought at your local lowes or home depot, etc. Always charge them to replace those screens in the downspouts, fix straps on the downspouts, etc. Easy $hit man!! Now, I'm not saying to base your business around this type of work, but if you have working hours that need to be filled right now, work is work and pay is pay!! I also agree with most of the above posts that its not worth the risk on one of those impossible roofs, especially with a blower strapped to your back!! 2 more things I forgot........yeah I'm still gabbing!! Home Depot sells a little red thing that looks like the 2 scoops on the raisin bran box that works pretty good for sliding down in the gutter to clean the old rotted clumpy stuff, and its only bout $10.<p>This is something I always practiced, and the article mentioned also, so I'll repeat it up here for those who are intrested.<p>The more you can help your customer, the more they'll appreciate your services and find you irreplaceable (spelling?) If you have to turn down work they request, no matter what the reason, ALWAYS REFER ANOTHER CONTRACTOR!!!!! This does a bunch of stuff.<p>1) You can probobly sub out the work and still make a profit off the job, for minimal time involved<p>2) Your customer will be happy, because she/he still has that &quot;one stop shop&quot; if you will<p>3) It keeps schemeing contractors off YOUR JOB SITE, that might try to influence your customers into different techniques, prices, or even using their service to replace yours!!!<p>4) If you build up a good relationship with a few contractors, say a carpenter, a plumber, ext. electrician, arbor service, and mason/pavements outfit, these can be VERY profitable relationships. If things go as planned, they do the work on your sites that you can't, and when that carpenter is building his next garage, or gazebo, and he suggests how beutiful one of YOUR landscapes would be aroiud it, CHA CHING! <p>Well I'm done babbling finally, and I know I got off the subject a little, but I thought we needed to hit a couple of points behind the answers that were given here earlier. <p><p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://communities.msn.com/guidosequipmentpics/&quot;&gt;&quot;Guido&quot;&lt;/a&gt;<br>David M. Famiglietti

[geogunn]

hi guido. I think you took the time to say what I meant to about gutters.<p>when you get back in country, lets get some lescos and go race'em.:)<p>GEO

[plowking35]

We have done it, and still do it, although I took a 12' digger off a roof one time because of gutter cleaning. I was stepping off the ladder, and it kicked out on me, and slam on to the driveway i went. Just sore nothing broke. <br>The first thing that i remember is the sound on the blower still running strapped to my back.<br>We anyway, it was only a 4/12 roof, so it doesnt have to scarry steep to get you.<br>We up sell the gutter guard while we are there, and make it a 1/2 day very profitable excerise. we also carry a small 1-2.5 gal bucket with us, and put all the debris into that. That way no mess to clean later. We now do all cleaning from ladders with stand offs. Oh and be sure your comp will cover your guys, we carry roofers comp, like 16.5 % of our payroll, but we do alot of roofing and siding. Its easier to carry one line of comp, then to split it up between landscaping and construction.<br>Dino<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: plowking35

[thelawnguy]

Well its time to use the &quot;S&quot; word...yes, SCRUB! Cuz thats what you are if you do gutter cleaning and havent told your insurance agent that, besides mowing, you pretend your Dick vanDyke up there on folks roofs. Tear a gutter off, or drop a ladder thru a window and see what the reaction is from your insurance company. Better yet wait til the customer calls some rainy day when theres water pouring into the kitchen cuz you loosened some shingles.<p>Oooh, a better idea, see where your workmens comp rates go once they find out youre up there with the roofers.<p>I see all these posts about our industry's image, lack of respect, scrubs, etc. Time to start putting our actions to our words. Whens the last time you saw the electrician with his arm in the toilet freeing up a clog?<p>Bill

[KirbysLawn]

Bill, I agree with you...AGAIN, what's up with that???? :)

[mykee]

Well I never meant to start such a stir with a simple question. There have been plenty of posts and I do appreciate the candor. It does seem to me however that most will do gutters under the right circumstances. Please be assured that I will be careful up there guys and have no intention of doing any 2 story or silly pitched roofs. Being new understand that until I have enough work lined up on the ground it seems a good way to fill in the working hours. Thanks again all for the imput....

[thelawnguy]

Its my contention that, to make an informed decision, the more info the better, be it pretty, ugly, sugar-coated, gruff...<p>Whatever you decide, be sure you are justly compensated for your efforts. The customer is asking you to perform a service, and not doing it themselves, for a reason, some of which may not be apparent.<p>Bill

[geogunn]

bill--lets see now, you've basically said that anyone that is in the lawn buisness that would clean a gutter for a lawn customer is a &quot;gypsy&quot; (but you edited that out) and now I'm a scrub because I do it.<p>I wish you'd just tell us what you really think!<p>GEO

[thelawnguy]

Well, GEO, if you havent figured what I really think by reading my posts, maybe you should forget the gutter cleaning and take a remedial reading class at the elementary school instead.<p>My hunch is, its safe to assume your insurance (if you have any) doesnt cover gutter cleaning. And, my friend, no insurance puts you in the same category as a trunk slammer, fly by nighter, scrub, lowballer, pick your moniker.<p>Bill<p><font size="1">Edited by: thelawnguy

[geogunn]

well bill, looks like you've responded to my question.<p>but just like your previous post where you used an ethnic slur relating to a race of european people, and then edited it out. I can see that you edited your last response before I could read what you really had to say. so I guess I still don't know what you think. oh well.<p>as for my operating status, I don't suppose that is any of your concern since I wont be climing on your roof. but I just can't resist letting you know that I'm covered for &quot;activities relating to residential and commercial exterior maintainance by use of manual tool, power tool and implement, and coatings preparation and application&quot;. yes bill, not only am I covered if I clean the gutters, I'm covered if I paint the da*% things.<p>bill-I'd tell you what I think of you but my father taught me something apparently your father didn't. and that is that if I can't say something nice about someone that I should consider saying nothing at all.<p>'nuff said.<p>GEO

[Acute Cut]

Well bill, far be it from me to speak diragatively (sp?) about a fellow lawn care person, i will in this instance. I wish i was in your area. I would LOVE to chat with your customers. I think many of us could easily satisfy thier needs way more than you say you can. I have never read anything on here where you have attempted to actually do what many of us do. And that is to &quot;make the customer happy.&quot; <p>I clean gutters. Easy money. I paint too. Not my fault that i am concerned with customer satisfaction. I have buried little old ladies dad cats for them too. Man oh man am i a scrub or what? I know for sure that she will never leave me because of it. As was stated above, I am the &quot;one stop shopping center&quot; that every truly busy person looks for. And, thanks to your &quot;wonderful&quot; customer awareness i am growing tremendously every year.<p>As to the original question, i clean gutters. 25$ and ten minutes. WHo has a calculator? BUT, if you do &quot;blow&quot; the gutters out then wait till a dry day if you can. If you dont then you will have a big mess on the ground and house afterwards. I believe that this would happen if you were to use a pressure washer as well. If you do that theyn you might end up pressure washing the house as well. Gee your a nice guy theyll say. <p>Insurance is a whole nother matter though. Better check into it and see what it costs. Is it really worth it for 25$ to lose the job that most of us love? Weigh your decision carefully on that one before you make a bad choice. Good luck<br>

[thelawnguy]

My point was, if you are going to expand beyond the lawn care operations, you'd better be covered for any unexpected problems. Evidently you are GEO, so why put your knickers in a knot? <p>I realize my use of the term gypsy was possibly offensive and not in the best intersts of the discussion so I edited it, within the hour...sometimes things look different on the board than they do in a text editor box.<p>I have found, in the course of the past 8 years of business, that its not always possible to do all things for all people and expect to do them all well. This is why I do not do things such as gutters, dog doo removal, bunion surgery, etc. My customers understand this. I have a list of people who are willing to do the odd jobs who I can refer my customers to. And as a result I make a load of money doing lawn care and not have to lug around a truck full of tools to do any odd job that may come around.<p>And to Acute Cut, I turn down new customers every day. Know when to say &quot;no&quot;.<p>Bill

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Single story home: $0.75 per linear foot.<p>Multi-story home/building: $1.50 per linear foot.<p>Add 25% for steep inlcines where straps/belts are needed. Another 10% for Tiled roofs.<p>Usually works out to be between $55-$65 for single story homes & $100-$135 for multi-story. <p>Average out to be about $90 per man, per hour. Great money in my opinion. Make sure your insurance policy covers it.<p><p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

[Island Lawn]

Excitement, AND information!
I love Lawnsite!
I'm just brainstorming some ideas and doing searches...

IMO - Check w/ insurance and charge accordingly.
Sure does seem to make sense to try make yourself invaluable to your existing customers.
Maybe then one would not have to invest so much in finding new ones?

[jnjnlc]

I have done some gutter cleaning. Mostly for my regular customers. I do not go out and advertise it that is for sure. Pretty good money but I hate ladders. I usually climb up with my blower and blow out the gutter if the roof is not to steep.

Here is what I did for the steep ones: I took one 10' section of 2" PVC and cut it into thirds. I connected them back together with 2" couplings depending on the height of the roof. At the bottom I used some 90 degree elbows. At the top I used one 90 and one 45 degree. They can be adjusted for the best angle for blowing the debris. The bottom fits perfectly over my blower nozzle. Most definitely wear a hat and safety goggles and you will surely want to take a shower before you retire for the evening too (very messy). For the extra high roofs I use another piece of PVC. I do not glue them so that I can transport them and store them. They stay together pretty good.

I am not going into this business solely though. Personally I hate to do it.

My 2 cents.