Do Gutters Add Value To Your Home?

Gutters play a valuable role in your home maintenance. They control how water flows off your roof to prevent it from pooling around your home. While most buyers might not immediately think about gutters when they are viewing a property, they will inevitably be part of the inspection process. Poorly maintained gutters – or no gutters at all – could be a concern that potentially complicates the home sale. 

Gutters can add value indirectly to your home by maintaining structural integrity, preventing costly repairs, and improving curb appeal. However, people often ask: do gutters add value to your home directly? Keep reading to learn about this investment and better understand its impact.

Do Gutters Add Value to Your Home?

This question is often asked by people who do not currently have a gutter system in place. They want to know whether a gutter installation will increase their home value and potentially grow the profits of their home sale. Answering this question isn’t easy, but there are a few ways that gutters can help you sell your home. Here’s how gutters help. 

• They add aesthetic value: Gutters protect your home and landscaping in many ways. Quality gutters will prevent your yard from getting flooded, protecting your grass and plants. 
• Gutters increase perceived functionality: Some buyers might feel like your home has a higher value because of the gutters. They will anticipate the home is well-maintained and free of water-related issues.
• They can help you with the home inspection: A gutter system can be a green flag for buyers. However, missing or damaged gutters could raise concerns. Some buyers might try to negotiate the price to account for gutter repair or installation before moving forward with the deal.
• A gutter system prevents costly repairs: Proper gutter systems prevent water-related damage that could cost thousands to repair. You may avoid foundation or roof projects because of your quality gutters. Well-maintained gutters are also an indication that a home has been well-cared for.
• They can improve energy efficiency: Because gutters move water off of the roof effectively, they can prevent damage that harms your insulation. Proper gutter installation could make a home more efficient. 
• They improve curb appeal and aesthetics: Your gutters can complement your home’s exterior design and can enhance curb appeal to attract more buyers.

While the gutters themselves won’t immediately increase home values, their hard work to protect your home from water damage will pay off in several ways.

Types of Gutters and Their Impact on Home Value

Like many home improvements, the quality of the gutter installation depends on the value they add. The materials you choose, the features that come with them, and the design elements all contribute to the support of your home. Get to know the different types of gutters and their impact.

Material

Materials vary significantly in cost and durability. If you are planning to sell your home soon, you may want to look into affordable materials to limit the project costs. However, if you want to replace your gutters while remaining in the home, higher-end materials might be better. 

• Vinyl gutters: These are some of the most affordable but also less durable. They cost around $12 to $34 per linear foot. 
• Aluminum gutters: These have some of the most popular and long-lasting options. They offer a good balance between cost and durability. They cost around $13 to $35 per linear foot. 
• Copper gutters: These are expensive but highly attractive. They are also long-lasting. Copper gutters add curb appeal in upscale neighborhoods. They cost around $30 to $50 per linear foot. 

A 2,000-square-foot house would need around 200 linear feet of gutters. This means that a vinyl gutter replacement project would cost between $2,400 – $6,800 but a copper gutter project would cost between $6,000–$10,400. These estimates only cover the materials costs, not the labor cost to install them. 

The upgrades you choose often depend on your neighborhood. If your neighbors all have copper gutters, it might be expected that you do too. However, high-end gutters might not add much value in neighborhoods whether they are unexpected. The upgrade might not pay off when you sell. 

Design

Along with making sure your gutters are properly installed, consider how they look in your home. For a budget-friendly option, you can choose standard sectional gutters. These can provide proper drainage and are fairly easy to install.

However, you may decide that seamless gutters look better on your house and do a better job of directing water. Quality gutters will reduce leaks and require less maintenance, making them a more appealing option to buyers. 

Consider the price differences between gutters and whether the seamless option is worth it. The design can make your home more modern while increasing the support the gutters provide. 

Additional Features

Finally, look into extra features that might be useful in your area. For example, gutter guards block leaves, sticks, and other debris from clogging your gutters, minimizing maintenance. If your property has several trees, you may want to invest in gutter guards.

When Should You Replace or Upgrade Gutters?

The presence of gutters alone will not increase your home’s value. Many buyers expect gutters to be in good condition when they take control of the house. If they are rusted, broken, or clogged, your gutters could be more of a liability than an asset. Here are a few signs you should start a gutter replacement or improvement project. 

• There are noticeable signs of damage: Visually inspect your gutters to make sure they are in good condition. If you notice cracks, sagging, leaks, rust, or peeling paint, then you may need to replace your gutters. 
• You are about to sell your home: If gutters are damaged or missing, replacing them can make the home more attractive to buyers. If they are in good condition, then you can move forward with the home sale. However, you may want to invest in a gutter cleaning before you list the property to showcase their good condition. 
• You are replacing your roof: Consider replacing gutters when you replace your roof. This ensures proper alignment and functionality. This could also be a good time to upgrade your gutters by investing in gutter guards and other features. 

You want to make sure your gutters are a positive selling point when your buyer goes through the inspection process. Seamless gutters that are well maintained can be an asset while clogged or broken ones will detract from your home’s value. 

Even if you aren’t planning to move, repair and replace broken gutters before they damage your home. Broken or blocked gutters could cause water to pool and harm your roof and siding.

Are Gutters a Good Investment for ROI?

While gutters may not drastically increase a home’s resale price, the indirect benefits make them a worthwhile investment. They are an understated asset that protects your home and is rarely noticed until something breaks. 

From a return on investment (ROI) perspective, properly installed gutters can yield moderate returns. However, the ROI potential depends on the state of the gutters you replaced. New gutter installation can have a bigger impact if you are putting them in for the first time or replacing severely damaged gutters. If you are simply upgrading an existing, moderately-functioning system, you likely won’t see a noticeable ROI. 

Well-maintained or upgraded gutters likely won’t be a significant selling point for your house, but they can help you avoid costly repair negotiations. Repairing your gutters before you list can give you peace of mind instead of hoping the buyers don’t ask for a lower price or gutter remediation before closing. 

Evaluate your current gutter system before you sell and decide whether any repairs or upgrades are needed. Decide whether the gutter cost and installation process would potentially affect your home sale.

Talk to a Real Estate Agent About Your Gutter System

Homeowners often have a long list of improvement projects and repairs they need to complete before listing a house. On average, homeowners spend $5,400 to spruce up a home so it appeals to buyers.

Before you install gutters, make sure this project will pay off and have a noticeable effect on your home. If you aren’t sure whether the cost is worth it, ask a real estate professional. They might think a basic gutter cleaning is all you need or they might recommend replacing them entirely. Your agent can help you set your repair priorities. 

Turn to FastExpert to find a real estate agent near you. You can find the best Realtors in your area and review their profiles to learn about their work. FastExpert makes finding and hiring real estate agents easy so you can start your home sale. Try us today.