Confused About Handyman Contractor Pricing $200-$1500 for Gutter Cleaning in McLean, VA

[Anonymous]

I recently reached out to several handyman contractors to get quotes for cleaning the gutters on my 6000 square foot house. To my surprise, the pricing has been all over the map. Most of the quotes I received were around the $200-$300 range, which seemed reasonable to me. However, there are a handful of contractors who are quoting me $600, and one even went as high as $1500!

I'm left scratching my head trying to understand why there's such a discrepancy in pricing. Is it because I live in McLean, VA, known for its upscale neighborhoods and higher cost of living? Or are there other factors at play here that I'm not aware of?

I find it hard to believe that gutter cleaning could justify a price tag of $1500, but then again, I'm not an expert in this area. Do people actually pay these exorbitant prices? Am I missing something crucial about the services being offered by these higher-priced contractors?

[Anonymous]

There's always one wacky price in a bunch of quotes. That's the, "this job isn't worth my time, but maybe they're lazy and won't get more than one quote" quote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I recently reached out to several handyman contractors to get quotes for cleaning the gutters on my 6000 square foot house. To my surprise, the pricing has been all over the map. Most of the quotes I received were around the $200-$300 range, which seemed reasonable to me. However, there are a handful of contractors who are quoting me $600, and one even went as high as $1500!

I'm left scratching my head trying to understand why there's such a discrepancy in pricing. Is it because I live in McLean, VA, known for its upscale neighborhoods and higher cost of living? Or are there other factors at play here that I'm not aware of?

I find it hard to believe that gutter cleaning could justify a price tag of $1500, but then again, I'm not an expert in this area. Do people actually pay these exorbitant prices? Am I missing something crucial about the services being offered by these higher-priced contractors?

$300 is low for 6000sf, I'd be worried why they were so cheap - "penny wise, pound foolish"; $600 is probably about right. I would expect $500 to $800 for 6000sf(I assuming it's not single story) but that would depend on other factors as well. The $1500 is probably someone who didn't really want the work - this happens all the time.

[Anonymous]

$1500 seems crazy--I feel like they do not want your one-off business. It's not that big of a job as a stand alone, so not really worth their time and effort to get a team together, drive out, ladders, etc. for a one-off---unless they have no other work on that day/time. that is my guess re the range of bids. Some businesses are hungry for work. Most are not.

Our gutter cleaning (5k ft. house) is performed through our annual lawn maint. agreement. It's set on a seasonal schedule, ~$125, along with lawn cutting, leaf clearing, tree and shrub trimming, mulching, edging, etc. We are in Bethesda, so similarly pricy area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$1500 seems crazy--I feel like they do not want your one-off business. It's not that big of a job as a stand alone, so not really worth their time and effort to get a team together, drive out, ladders, etc. for a one-off---unless they have no other work on that day/time. that is my guess re the range of bids. Some businesses are hungry for work. Most are not.

Our gutter cleaning (5k ft. house) is performed through our annual lawn maint. agreement. It's set on a seasonal schedule, ~$125, along with lawn cutting, leaf clearing, tree and shrub trimming, mulching, edging, etc. We are in Bethesda, so similarly pricy area.

This sounds like a good idea, unfortunately our lawn company doesn't do gutters

[Anonymous]

We use Ned Stevens. My house is huge and it's like $150 each time they do gutters. I would try them over a handyman personally. They do add extra for gutter guard removals, running water through drains etc, but no where near $1500.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is where neighbor recommendations come in handy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$1500 seems crazy--I feel like they do not want your one-off business. It's not that big of a job as a stand alone, so not really worth their time and effort to get a team together, drive out, ladders, etc. for a one-off---unless they have no other work on that day/time. that is my guess re the range of bids. Some businesses are hungry for work. Most are not.

Our gutter cleaning (5k ft. house) is performed through our annual lawn maint. agreement. It's set on a seasonal schedule, ~$125, along with lawn cutting, leaf clearing, tree and shrub trimming, mulching, edging, etc. We are in Bethesda, so similarly pricy area.

This sounds like a good idea, unfortunately our lawn company doesn't do gutters

Our lawn company probably does do gutters, but then when alllll the stuff they do starts to add up it gets crazy. Like these guys are just part of the family and always here pretty much. 😂

[Anonymous]

Call Maple Leaf. They've been servicing Mclean for years.

[Anonymous]

They don’t want the job so they price high. Happens all the time.

[Anonymous]

That’s insane. Pinnacle Services charges a fraction of that. Used him for years and does very good work.

[Anonymous]

We pay 200 for a 4k sq foot house. For your house don't pay a penny over 300.

[Anonymous]

I'm in McLean. The square footage isn't terribly relevant since the shape of your roofline and perimeter of house is more impactful for the gutters than the actual size--my neighbor's 9000 sq ft house is same cost as my 5500 sq ft house because of the shape.

That said, I've never paid more than $300--we only pay more if I leave it up to DH who can't be bothered with quotes.

Try Gutterman, they're usually pretty good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$1500 seems crazy--I feel like they do not want your one-off business. It's not that big of a job as a stand alone, so not really worth their time and effort to get a team together, drive out, ladders, etc. for a one-off---unless they have no other work on that day/time. that is my guess re the range of bids. Some businesses are hungry for work. Most are not.

Our gutter cleaning (5k ft. house) is performed through our annual lawn maint. agreement. It's set on a seasonal schedule, ~$125, along with lawn cutting, leaf clearing, tree and shrub trimming, mulching, edging, etc. We are in Bethesda, so similarly pricy area.

This sounds like a good idea, unfortunately our lawn company doesn't do gutters

Our lawn company probably does do gutters, but then when alllll the stuff they do starts to add up it gets crazy. Like these guys are just part of the family and always here pretty much. 😂

Too funny! For us (I am earlier pp), we get a list of services offered, with suggested intervals and cost for each one, and then you check off which ones you want. Yes it adds up, but it is nice to pay a set rate each month, once can calc. annual price / 12 months.

[Anonymous]

Find a gutter cleaning company, not a handyman. We paid $250 for our 4K sq ft house