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Call the Gutter Guys

Specializing in Seamless Gutters all over Minneapolis

Top Questions To Ask When Getting A Seamless Gutter Estimate

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A Guide To Help You Make The Best Decision

With so many seamless gutters companies in the Twin Cities area it’s hard enough picking who to interview so let’s make sure you’re asking the right questions. When getting an estimate for seamless gutters, asking the right questions will ensure you make an informed decision. Here are some key questions to ask:

Pricing & Estimate Details

  1. How much will the entire project cost, including materials and labor? Ensuring you have all the details up front will curb any surprises down the road. We have seen some estimates from competitors that look “cheap” only to look closer and see they don’t include everything. As the old saying goes… get it in writing.
  2. Do you provide a free estimate, and is it a firm quote or an estimate that could change? Many estimates, especially in this market will include an expatriation date. An example, estimate valid for 21 days from date provided.
  3. Are there any additional costs for things like removing old gutters, fascia repairs, or custom colors? Most gutter estimates you’ll see in Minneapolis will include some sort of clause about the homes fascia etc being able to accept new gutters. The best thing to do is to walk the home with the estimator and review your homes condition to help curb any issues that may arise.
  4. Do you require a deposit, and what is your payment schedule? It will be typical to see anywhere from $250 to 1/2 down when booking.

Materials & Installation

  1. What material do you recommend (aluminum, copper, steel), and why? In Minneapolis the most common gutter is aluminum.
  2. What gauge (thickness) of metal do you use? Depending on where the gutter material comes from it could be .027, .029, and ,032. .032 is the best, thickest, and strongest material you can buy currently and the overall choice of most professional gutter companies like Call The Gutter Guys.
  3. How are the gutters attached to the house (spikes, screws, hidden hangers)? Back in the day gutters were often held on by spikes through the front, this style has been long replaced by stronger, more efficient hangers.
  4. Do you offer different styles or sizes (e.g., K-style, half-round, 5-inch vs. 6-inch)? The top two used gutters in Minneapolis would be the 5-Inch K-Style, and the 6-Inch K-Style. This is an important question to ask because not only should the installer be able to suggest which size is best for your home but they vary in price. When you’re comparing estimates you’ll need to know this as we have seen where one person bids 5 and one 6 and the homeowner doesn’t realize it making the bids not “apples to apples”.
  5. Will the downspouts be properly placed to direct water away from my foundation? Not only is placement important but also ask how long the extensions will be. This is important because the extensions on one bid may be short than the other resulting in a a lower bid, however, it’s crucial to ensure the water is being pushed far enough away from our homes foundation. The best practice is to get the water around 4ft away from the homes footprint.
  6. Do you install gutter guards or leaf protection systems? Some of the best gutter guards on the market for MPLS include Leaf Blaster Pro, and EZ Flow. When comparing estimates make sure the covers are the same as leaf guards can vary greatly in price, some are triple what others are so ask questions.

Durability & Maintenance

  1. What is the lifespan of the gutters you install? This is a great question to ask! Lifespan of gutters will vary on what type of gutter, what manufacturer and the method upon which they are installed.
  2. How do you ensure proper water flow and drainage?
  3. Do the gutters have expansion joints to prevent warping in extreme weather? There are some general rules of thumb here so asking the installer will let you know how educated they actually are as well as understand how heat/cold plays a role in the metal expansion of gutters. A warning, darker colors do expand and contract much more so talk with your gutter pro about this.

Company Reputation & Warranty

  1. How long have you been in business, and do you have references or reviews? Of course the more experience the better but also check out the reviews. Call The Gutter Guys has hundreds of 5-Star reviews on line.
  2. What warranties do you offer on both materials and labor? Here you’ll find the installer may have one warranty on workmanship and the manufacturer will carry another warranty on materials, this is common.
  3. Are you licensed and insured? Can I see proof of insurance? Great thing to ask! Make sure you’re covered if there’s an issue.
  4. Who will be performing the installation—employees or subcontractors? This is also one of my favorite questions for homeowners to ask. Many companies will book your job then sub it to the cheapest guy they can find, often times its not even someone they used before! All of the installers at Call The Gutter Guys are full time employees, we do not sub any work out.

Timing & Logistics

  1. How long will the installation take?
  2. When can you start the project?
  3. Do you haul away the old gutters and clean up after installation?

Asking these questions will help you compare companies and make the best choice for your home!