If you’re thinking about getting new gutters or gutter guards, there’s probably a lot you never thought to think about!
The most important question on this list is:
How can I find a trustworthy gutter contractor?
It’s crucial to choose a knowledgeable and honest gutter contractor because they will have a direct impact on the final product.
With our extensive experience of working with 1,000 homeowners throughout Indiana as well as helping hundreds more via the internet, we at Myers Roofing & Exteriors have put together a checklist to help you vet potential gutter contractors.
This checklist will help you identify key qualities to look for when choosing a gutter contractor, whether you’re looking for gutters or gutter guards.
Let’s get started!
How to Hire a Gutter Contractor: the Ultimate Checklist
Contractor Name: ___________________________________________________________
1. Business Information and Experience
__ The company is licensed and insured
Note: Check to see if the license name matches the company name. If not, ask why.
__ Find out how many years the company has been in business
Years in business: __________
__ Bonus: Is the
Note: SBA (Small Business Administration) reports 80% of roofing contractors fail within the first two years.
2. Customer References
Ask the following questions of the gutter contractor:
- How many gutters have you installed since in business? __________
- How many were installed last year? _________
- Of those installations, how many references can you provide? ________
Note: We’ve found that most people are usually willing to go on a reference list when asked. In our opinion, though, if you provide less than half of your customers as references, you’re chances of being content with the results, in the end, drop significantly below 50%.
__ Call at least 5 references
When Calling References, Be Sure To Ask The Following:
- If you could do it over, would you use the gutter contractor again?
- What did you enjoy about the experience?
- What was least enjoyable?
- What gutters, options, and accessories did you choose?
- What would you do differently?
- How did the gutter contractor handle challenges and problems when they arose?
For more guidance regarding obtaining and calling references, read How to Avoid Being Scammed by a Gutter Contractor.
3. Reviews and Ratings
__ Collectively, the gutter contractor has at least a 5:1 good review to bad review ratio
__ They responded reasonably to negative reviews when possible
4. Products Used By Gutter Contractor
__ The products the gutter contractor uses have good reviews in the marketplace
__ The customer references you called gave the products used by the gutter contractor positive ratings
__ The products are backed by competitive warranties
5. Workmanship Warranty
Note: a workmanship warranty would cover issues that could arise such as gutter leaks, mechanical damage, corners installed incorrectly, improper nailing, etc. The minimum workmanship warranty by law in most states is one year.
- What is the duration of the gutter contractor’s workmanship warranty? _______________________________________________________________________
- What specifically does the gutter contractor’s workmanship warranty cover? _______________________________________________________________________
- What happens in the event that a repair is needed? (who pays to replace gutters, repairs, damage to property, etc)? _________________________________________________________________________
Read More: What Is Covered Under a Gutter Contractor’s Workmanship Warranty?
6. Installation Practices
- Does the gutter contractor have any installation or construction practices that distinguish them from the competition? ________________________________________________________________________
- Are these practices relevant? ________________________________________________________________________
Our top-of-the-line installation process provides you with the best gutters in terms of quality and value. (Link will be Permalink – Best-Roofing-Contractor-Installer)
7. Design and Project Planning
__ The Gutter Contractor will present a plan to you before the project begins showing the following:
- exact project timeline
- What to Expect Document that includes prep to completion of the project
- the difference in materials versus other brands
- all the corrections being made to your gutters
- driveway clear for installation
- landscaping protection if needed
- home protection if needed, windows, etc…
A more detailed explanation can be found by checking out New Gutter/Gutter Guards Kickoff Meeting: How to Launch a Successful Project. (Link will be Permalink – New-Gutter-Kickoff-Meeting)
8. Pricing and Contract
__ In order to avoid discrepancies, the price for all work is always included in the contract or as a formal quote.
Note: Beware of contractors who try to blindside you with additional pricing after the project has begun. Some gutter contractors use this tactic to make their initial quote seem lower than it will actually be, so always get a clear understanding of what is included in the agreement before signing anything.
__ Expected finish date is noted in the contract.
__ All items included in the deal are listed on the contract.
To learn more, check out these articles:
- 5 Tips For Receiving the Best Estimate on Your Gutter/Gutter Guard Replacement
- How Much Does New Gutters Cost? (Link to New Gutter Cost & Pricing Guide)
9. Things That Are NOT All That Important
- The size of the company: excellent gutter contractors come in all sizes
- In-house construction vs sub-contracted work: In the end, only the best gutter contractors will do whatever it takes to make sure you’re satisfied.
- Website and Marketing: A company’s Facebook page or brochure may look nice, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re honest or experts in their field.
We hope you will find this helpful in your quest to find the most excellent gutter contractor.
If you’d like to see a variety of design examples, take a look at our Gutter Styles & Colors page.