What Is Included in a Gutter Installation: Old Gutters, Fascia, Downspouts, Cleanup
Two gutter quotes can look similar on paper and still cover different work. One may mention removing the old system, another may not. One may name the downspouts, another may only say “install gutters.” Because the wording varies from contractor to contractor, the most useful thing a homeowner in Columbia, Jefferson City, or elsewhere in Mid-Missouri can do is know which parts of a gutter job to ask about before comparing quotes.
This guide walks through the parts of a gutter installation worth asking about: the old gutters, the fascia behind them, the new gutter run, the downspouts, and the cleanup. It does not say what any one company’s quote includes, because that has to come from the quote itself.
Key Takeaways
- A gutter quote is easier to compare when it names the old gutters, the fascia, the new gutters, the downspouts, and the cleanup separately.
- If an item is not written on the quote, ask whether it is included rather than assuming.
- Fascia and the existing system’s condition are worth looking at before new gutters go on.
- A written, itemized scope is the simplest way to compare two quotes fairly.
Start with what comes off: the old gutters
If gutters are being replaced, the first question is whether the existing ones are being removed and hauled away, or left for you to deal with. CoMo Premium Exteriors’ gutter installation page lists several signs that a gutter upgrade may be worth considering: cracks, sagging, or broken sections; noticeable leaks or water pooling; and difficulty maintaining consistent water flow.
Whatever the reason for the replacement, ask the contractor to state in writing whether removal and haul-away of the old system are included.
Look behind the gutter: the fascia
Ask whether the fascia behind the existing gutters will be checked after removal, and how any additional work would be documented and approved. It is worth raising before installation, not after.
This article does not cover how to tell why a gutter has pulled away or whether a fascia needs repair. That is a separate question for an inspection. The point here is only that fascia is a line worth asking about when you compare what a quote covers.
The new gutter run
CoMo’s gutter installation page describes seamless and sectional gutters, and mentions K-Style and Half-Round seamless profiles. Which type and profile a quote names is part of what you are comparing, so look for it in the written scope. This article does not recommend one type over another, since sizing and material choices are separate decisions.
The same page lists accessories that can be part of maintaining gutter performance, including end caps, gutter guards, downspouts, and splash blocks. If a quote includes any of these, you should see them named. If you want one and do not see it, ask.
Downspouts
CoMo’s gutter page identifies downspouts among the components used to maintain gutter performance, so ask how many the quote includes and where they will be placed. Also ask whether anything such as a splash block is part of the quote. If a quote says only “gutters,” it is reasonable to ask whether downspouts are included in that price.
Cleanup
Cleanup is another line to clarify in writing. Ask what the contractor does with leftover pieces and debris when the work is done, and whether that is part of the quote. CoMo’s page describes professional installation as quick and efficient service with minimal disruption, but it does not describe a specific cleanup scope, so this is a question to put to the contractor for the job in front of you.
Questions to ask on any gutter quote
- Are the old gutters removed and taken away, and is that written on the quote?
- Will the fascia be looked at once the old gutters are off, and how would a problem there be handled?
- Which gutter type and profile is being installed?
- How many downspouts are included, and where do they go?
- Are accessories such as end caps, guards, or splash blocks included or extra?
- What does cleanup include?
- Is the full scope written down so I can compare it with another quote?
How CoMo describes its process
On its gutter installation page, CoMo Premium Exteriors says it offers free estimates for all of its work and describes a four-step process: contact the company, get a free estimate, get installation service from its team, and get peace of mind. It serves Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, and Boonville, and its gutter page says its team can provide a detailed estimate on request. Bring the questions above to that conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What should a gutter installation quote include?
It should say, in writing, what is being removed, what is being installed, and what happens afterward. The questions above are a checklist for confirming each part: old gutters, fascia, new gutters, downspouts, accessories, and cleanup.
Is fascia part of a gutter installation?
That depends on the quote and on what is found behind the old gutters. Ask whether the fascia will be inspected and how a repair would be written into the scope and approved.
Are downspouts included in the price of gutters?
Do not assume. Ask whether downspouts and any accessories are included, and have the answer written on the quote.
How do I compare two gutter quotes?
Put the scope side by side, line by line. A quote that names each part is easier to compare than one that says only “install gutters.”
If you are planning a gutter project and want the scope walked through, see CoMo Premium Exteriors’ gutter installation page or contact CoMo Premium Exteriors to ask for a gutter assessment.
