Extension ladder (24–32 ft.)
Reach single and two-story gutters safely — most important purchase.
Can You Make $35K a Year Cleaning Gutters?
Gutter cleaning is the lowest-barrier service business on the show. Under $500 to start, no license required, and every homeowner with trees needs it twice a year. Four homes a week gets you to $35K — and year two, your repeat list does half the work.
Easy
Home Services
$200–$500 Start
8–10 hours a week
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Business Idea snapshot
How to launch a gutter cleaning side hustle for under $500, earn $100–$175 per hour, and build $35K+ a year on a repeat customer schedule.
PROBLEM IT SOLVES
Clogged gutters cause roof damage, foundation cracks, and flooding — homeowners know it needs doing but won't climb the ladder themselves.
REVENUE MODEL
Per-home flat pricing ($150–$250 most jobs). Add-ons: downspout flushing, minor repairs, gutter guard installation stack on top.
TARGET CUSTOMER
Homeowners with trees, property managers, landlords, and realtors — anyone responsible for a house they don't want to climb.
MOONLIGHTING BENEFITS
Jobs are 1–2 hours each, twice-a-year recurring demand, stacks perfectly with pressure washing for a $400 combined ticket.
What you need to get started
Must Have
$150-300
Must Have
Ladder stabilizer / standoff
Keeps ladder off the gutter and prevents wall damage.
$30-80
Must Have
Ladder leveler
Safe setup on uneven ground — non-negotiable on sloped yards.
$20-60
Must Have
Heavy-duty rubber gloves
Protect hands scooping wet, decomposing debris every job.
$10-25
Must Have
Gutter scoop / hand trowel
Fits the gutter channel and clears debris faster than bare hands.
$5-20
Must Have
5-gallon bucket with hook
Hangs from the ladder rung — keeps debris off the yard.
$8-20
Must Have
Garden hose with spray nozzle
Flush gutters and downspouts clear after scooping debris.
$20-60
Must Have
Plumber's snake or downspout auger
Clear stubborn downspout clogs that the hose won't flush.
$15-40
Optional
Leaf blower (handheld)
Optional but speeds up dry debris — saves time on every job.
$50-150
Optional
Wet/dry shop vac with gutter kit
Vacuum debris from the ground — no ladder needed for simple jobs.
$80-200
Must Have
Safety glasses
Debris and water spray in your face constantly — wear them.
$10-30
Must Have
Non-slip work boots
Grip matters on wet ladders and sloped surfaces.
$60-180
Must Have
Gutter sealant / caulk
Repair minor leaks and seam gaps as an upsell on every job.
$8-20
Must Have
Gutter hangers / spikes
Rehang sagging gutter sections — easy upsell while you're up there.
$10-25
Must Have
Tarp or drop cloth
Protect landscaping and collect debris — cleaner job site.
$10-30
Must Have
Branded work shirts (2–3)
Look professional on-site and in every before/after photo.
$60-150
Must Have
Business cards
Hand to the neighbor whose gutters you spotted from the roof.
$20-60 /order
Must Have
Door hangers (250–500 ct.)
Drop on neighboring homes while your ladder is already set up.
$40-100 /order
Must Have
Google Business Profile (free)
Show up in 'gutter cleaning near me' and collect reviews.
$0-0
View
Must Have
Online scheduling / invoicing tool
Take bookings and send invoices from your phone between jobs.
$0-30 /month
Must Have
General liability insurance
Covers property damage and ladder incidents — essential on rooftops.
$400-900 /year
Optional
Gutter guard samples (for upsell)
Show customers a physical guard option while you're at the house.
$30-80
Must Have
Truck bed or trailer for ladder transport
A full extension ladder won't fit in most cars — plan accordingly.
$0-200
Step-by-step: Validate this idea
Research Local Competition
Search 'gutter cleaning [your city]' and call 5–8 competitors as a mystery shopper. Get their price for a single-story and two-story home. Note their response time and whether they offer any add-ons — slow follow-up and zero upsells are the gap most operators leave wide open.
Time: 2–3 hoursTest Demand in Your Area
Post in your local Facebook group or Nextdoor: 'Fall gutter cleaning — booking this week. Free downspout flush included.' Time it to match a weather event or seasonal change. If you get 3+ responses within 24 hours, the demand is there.
Time: 1–2 hoursBuy Basic Equipment and Practice
Pick up a ladder, bucket, scoop, and gloves. Clean your own gutters first — get comfortable on the ladder, develop your process, and take before/after photos. These photos are your first marketing assets and proof of quality.
Time: Half dayComplete Your First Paying Jobs
Book 3–5 jobs through your posts and door hangers. Track your time per home, spot any upsell opportunities you found on the roof, and ask every customer for a Google review before you leave the driveway.
Time: 1–2 hours per jobAnalyze Results and Decide
Calculate your effective hourly rate, count your reviews, and tally how many neighbor knocks turned into quotes. If your first Saturday cleared $350+ and you have a few upsell conversations to follow up on, you have a real business. Decide whether to scale for peak season or stay steady.
Time: 1 hour analysisFirst 30 days plan
1
Week 1
Setup
- Buy ladder & basic tools
- Practice at home
- Set your pricing
- Set up Google profile
2
Week 2
Customers
- Post in FB/Nextdoor
- Drop door hangers
- Book 3–5 first jobs
- Print business cards
3
Week 3
Refine
- Complete first jobs
- Knock on neighbors
- Get Google reviews
- Add upsell checklist
4
Week 4
Decide
- Calculate profit/hr
- Build repeat list
- Add seasonal reminders
- Stack with power wash?
How to get your first customers
Local
- Knock on neighbors spotted from roof
- Drop door hangers during every job
- Partner with local landscaping crews
- Connect with pressure washing operators
- Leave cards with real estate agents
Online
- Before/after photos on Facebook & Nextdoor
- Google Business Profile with reviews
- Simple one-page booking website
- Seasonal posts timed to weather events
- Local SEO for 'gutter cleaning [city]'
Free Ideas
- Free downspout flush with first booking
- Refer-a-neighbor credit program
- Twice-a-year reminder text to past customers
- Bundle discount with pressure washing
- Partner with realtors on pre-listing cleans
Upsells
- Downspout flushing and snaking
- Minor gutter repairs and rehanging
- Gutter guard installation
- Fascia board inspection report
- Bundle with exterior pressure washing
Sample outreach scripts
Neighbor Knock (From the Roof)
Hey, I just finished cleaning your neighbor's gutters at [number]. I was up on the roof and noticed yours are pretty packed — I've got my ladder and everything set up right here. I can knock it out in about an hour for $[price]. Want me to take care of it while I'm already here?
Facebook / Nextdoor Seasonal Post
🍂 Fall is here — are your gutters full? Clogged gutters cause roof damage, foundation issues, and flooding. I do professional gutter cleaning in [City] for $150–$250 depending on home size. Downspout flush included. DM me or visit [your website] to book. Before/after photos in the comments 👇
Landscaper / Pressure Washer Partner Pitch
Hey [Name], I run a gutter cleaning service in [City] — I noticed you're already working in a lot of the same neighborhoods. I don't do what you do and you're probably not climbing roofs. Want to refer each other? Every time I'm at a house that needs yard work I'll send them your way, and vice versa. Easy money for both of us.
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WANT A COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A SIDE VENTURE?
Get our comprehensive Moonlighter's Guide with templates, checklists, and proven strategies for launching your side business.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99
or