Quick answer
Before hiring a gutter company, ask whether they are licensed (Oregon CCB or Washington L&I registration for repair and installation work) and insured, what exactly the price includes (downspout flushing, haul-away, roof edge, photos), whether the price is flat, how they handle damage found mid-job, and what guarantee or warranty they offer.
The 12 questions
- Are you licensed? For repairs and installation, ask for an Oregon CCB license number or Washington L&I contractor registration and verify it online.
- Do you carry liability insurance, and can you send a certificate?
- Is the price flat, or by the hour?
- Does the price include flushing every downspout?
- Do you bag and haul away debris?
- Will you clear the roof edge and valleys?
- Do you send before-and-after photos?
- What happens if you find damage? Will you price it before doing it?
- What is your guarantee if a gutter overflows after cleaning?
- For installation: what gutter size, gauge, hanger type and spacing?
- For guards: what product, how is it fastened, and what maintenance does it need?
- How do you schedule, and do I need to be home?
Red flags
- No license number for repair or installation work
- Cash-only with pressure to decide on the spot
- Prices that jump after the crew arrives
- Claims that a guard means you will never clean gutters again
- No photos or proof of work on the back of the house
Frequently asked questions
Does gutter cleaning require a contractor license?
Requirements vary by the work performed. Repair and installation are construction work that generally requires an Oregon CCB license or Washington L&I registration. When in doubt, hire a licensed company.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Compare what is included. A low price that skips downspouts, haul-away or photos is not the same job.
Need a hand?
- Gutter Cleaning: Hand-cleaned gutters, flushed downspouts, roof edge cleared and everything bagged and hauled away.
- Seamless Gutter Installation: Seamless aluminum gutters formed on-site to the exact length of your roofline, in your color.
- Gutter Repair: Leaking seams, sagging runs, loose hangers, bad slope and crushed downspouts fixed in one visit.