How Much Can a Gutter Cleaning Business Make? Real Revenue Data & Profit Analysis

The gutter cleaning industry represents one of the most accessible yet profitable home service businesses available today. 

With minimal startup costs and strong market demand, many entrepreneurs are asking: how much can a gutter cleaning business make?

The answer might surprise you. 

Based on real business owners’ experiences and industry data, gutter cleaning can generate anywhere from $40,000 annually for solo operators to over $360,000 for established businesses with teams.

Don’t believe us?

Read this blog until the end and see it for yourself. 

But hey, before you imagine the profits, picture the launch. Start with our guide to starting a gutter cleaning business. Once you understand the basics of setting up a gutter cleaning business, dive in to look at the real numbers that show just how rewarding this industry can be.

Revenue Examples: What Gutter Cleaners Actually Earn

Case Study 1: Solo Operator Success – Northwest Pro Wash (Seattle)

Spencer Claeys, founder of Northwest Pro Wash in Seattle, shows how a solo operator can generate high daily earnings in the gutter cleaning business. 

Starting out as a side hustle, he turned it into a full-time operation with strong seasonal demand.

• Crew size: 1 (solo operator, occasionally one helper)
• Average job price: $600 (roof moss treatment + gutter cleaning bundle)
• Job volume: 3–4 jobs per week as a solo operator, scaling up to 5+ with helper
• Daily earnings: $1,300+ on high-demand days
• Weekly revenue: ~$2,000 solo; ~$3,000 with one helper
• Monthly revenue (peak season): $12,000+
• Tips: $30–$100 per completed service
• Annual potential: $100,000+ with seasonal peaks and recurring clients

Case Study 2: Team-Based Growth Model – Midwestern Gutter Pros 

Unlike solo operators, team-based gutter cleaning businesses often scale revenue much faster by handling multiple jobs per day. 

A Midwestern operator (let’s call them Midwestern Gutter Pros) demonstrates how a small crew can turn this into a six-figure annual business.

• Crew size: 3 employees (two field techs + one part-time admin/marketing support)
• Average job price: $350 (mix of small residential $200 jobs and larger $800+ roof/gutter packages)
• Job volume: 8–10 jobs per week per crew, scaling up during fall and spring peak seasons
• Monthly revenue: Typically $18,000–$22,000 during peak months, averaging $12,000–$15,000 off-season
• Annual revenue: ~$180,000–$220,000
• Profit margins: 30–35% after labor, equipment, fuel, and insurance

Gutter Cleaning Profit Margins & Business Mathematics

Industry analysis reveals strong profit margins across different business models, with typical gutter business profit margins ranging from 20% to 35%. 

These margins depend heavily on equipment efficiency and depreciation, labor costs between solo versus team operations, geographic location, and competition levels, plus service add-ons and upselling success rates.

Revenue requirements break down mathematically: achieving $5,000 monthly requires 12-25 jobs, depending on pricing; $10,000 monthly needs 20-25 jobs at $400+ average, while $20,000 monthly demands 35-40 jobs or higher pricing tiers.

Operating expense breakdown

Monthly operating expenses

• Vehicle costs (fuel & maintenance): $300–$800
• Equipment replacement & maintenance: $100–$300
• Insurance coverage: $200–$500
• Marketing investments: $200–$1,000
• Total monthly overhead: $800–$2,600

Gross profit example

• 25 jobs × $400 average price = $10,000 monthly revenue
• Minus $1,500 operating costs = $8,500 net profit
• Represents a 30% profit margin

Annual Earning Potential & Career Trajectory

How much do gutter cleaners make a year varies significantly based on commitment level and market conditions. 

Part-time or side hustle operations working 10-15 hours weekly typically generate $20,000-$40,000 annual revenue with $15,000-$35,000 net profit.

Full-time solo operations working 40+ hours weekly achieve $60,000-$120,000 annual revenue with $35,000-$95,000 net profit. 

Experienced solo operators commanding premium pricing reach $80,000-$150,000 annual revenue with $60,000-$120,000 net profit.

Team-based business growth dramatically multiplies earning potential. 

Two-person teams generate $150,000-$250,000 annual revenue, while 3-4 person operations achieve $200,000-$400,000+ annual revenue, following the Midwestern Gutter Pros model of $180,000-$220,000 with 3 employees.

Startup Costs & Initial Investment Requirements

What do I need to start a gutter cleaning business? 

The barrier to entry remains remarkably low compared to other home service businesses, making this industry accessible to entrepreneurs with modest capital.

Basic Startup Package ($1,500–$3,000)

• Extension ladder (24–32 ft): $300–$600
• Leaf blower: $150–$400
• Hand tools & brushes: $100–$200
• Safety equipment: $150–$300
• Cleaning supplies: $100–$200
• Business cards & basic marketing: $200–$400
• Initial insurance payment: $500–$800

Professional Package ($3,000–$6,000)

• Commercial-grade ladder systems: $800–$1,200
• High-powered leaf blowers: $400–$800
• Gutter vacuum systems: $1,000–$2,000
• Pressure washing equipment: $800–$1,500
• Professional marketing materials: $500–$1,000
• Comprehensive insurance coverage: $1,000–$1,500

Advanced Setup ($6,000–$10,000+)

• Truck-mounted equipment: $3,000–$5,000
• Robotic cleaning systems: $2,000–$4,000
• Complete soft-wash systems: $1,500–$3,000
• Professional branding packages: $1,000–$2,000

Streamline your equipment investment with proper business registration and planning resources, ensuring legal compliance from day one. Average break-even timeline spans 18-24 months for most operators.

Hourly Pay Rate Analysis: Beating Traditional Employment

How much does gutter cleaning pay on an hourly basis? It often exceeds most traditional employment. 

Most entry jobs pay $18–$30/hour gross, with the net typically $12–$22/hour, depending on location, job complexity, and skill.

Those running efficient operations or serving premium markets can earn higher gross rates, sometimes $50–$150/hour—rarely $175/hour net for most jobs.

Top-tier service providers or large, complex properties can command $600/job or more, with gross hourly rates in the $150–$200 range (netting $100–$175/hour in rare, well-optimized cases).

Factors That Maximize Gutter Cleaning Income

Optimal markets for profitability include heavy rainfall regions like the Pacific Northwest and Southeast, areas with dense tree coverage, suburban neighborhoods with guttered homes, and limited competition markets. 

Market research indicators involve searching Facebook groups for gutter cleaning requests, driving neighborhoods, noting gutter conditions, checking Craigslist for existing service providers, and evaluating local 

Seasonal demand optimization

Peak earning seasons include fall (September-December), when leaf accumulation drives the highest demand; spring (March-May) for post-winter cleanup and storm damage; and summer for pre-storm season maintenance. 

Revenue distribution typically shows peak seasons generating 60-70% of annual revenue, while off-seasons provide opportunities for roof cleaning and pressure washing diversification.

Service expansion opportunities enhance profitability through upselling potential: roof cleaning adds $200-$500 per job, pressure washing contributes $150-$400 per job, minor roof repairs generate $100-$300 per job, and gutter guard installation provides $300-$800 per job. 

Package deal strategies include roof-plus-gutter combos ($600-$1,200), full exterior cleaning ($800-$1,500), and annual maintenance contracts creating recurring revenue streams.

Getting Started: Your Path to First $1,000

The door-to-door strategy provides the fastest results. Don’t waste time with business cards initially—hit the streets and offer gutter cleaning for $100-$200 to see what happens. 

The expected timeline shows Day 1 potential earnings of $300-$500, Week 1 possibilities of $1,000-$2,000, and Month 1 achievements of $3,000-$6,000.

Digital marketing foundation includes Facebook ads targeting local homeowners, Google My Business optimization, local SEO for gutter cleaning searches, and community Facebook group participation.

Market entry pricing should start at $150-$250 per job, focusing on volume and experience building while gradually increasing prices as skills improve. Target 20+ jobs the first month for $4,000+ revenue potential.

Skill development timeline spans Week 1-2 for basic cleaning techniques, Week 3-4 for efficiency improvements, Month 2-3 for advanced problem-solving, and Month 4-6 for premium service delivery.

Scaling Strategies: Growing Beyond Solo Operation

Revenue benchmarks for hiring your first employee include consistent $8,000+ monthly revenue, more work than you can handle solo, and 30+ jobs per month. 

Team revenue multiplication shows solo potential of $2,000-$4,000 weekly, 2-person team potential of $3,000-$6,000 weekly, and 3-person team potential of $5,000-$8,000 weekly.

ROI-positive equipment upgrades include gutter vacuum systems, reducing job time 30-50%, soft-wash equipment enabling roof cleaning upsells, and truck-mounted systems providing professional appearance and efficiency improvements.

Growth-phase marketing evolution encompasses search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, professional website development, customer referral programs, and online review management strategies.

Peak Season Revenue Maximization

September-December strategy involves pre-booking customers in August, increasing pricing 15-25% during peak demand, extending working hours to maximize earning days, and focusing on high-value neighborhood clusters. 

Revenue potential shows peak season can generate 4-6 months of off-season income, with daily earnings potential of $800-$1,500+ through proper scheduling.

Revenue protection strategies during weather-dependent planning include indoor services during rainy days, equipment maintenance scheduling, administrative work completion, and customer communication and booking activities.

Common Success Factors & Income Benchmarks

High earners typically focus on customer service excellence, maintain consistent pricing strategies, invest in quality equipment, build strong local reputations, and diversify service offerings strategically.

The income progression timeline demonstrates:

• Year 1 earnings of $25,000-$60,000 during the learning phase
• Year 2 earnings of $40,000-$100,000 with efficiency gains
• Year 3 earnings of $60,000-$150,000 through market establishment
• Year 4+ earnings of $80,000-$300,000+ via scaling opportunities

Beyond financial rewards, successful operators report strong community connections, flexible scheduling freedom, physical activity and outdoor work, customer appreciation and repeat business, plus tips and gifts from satisfied clients.

ROI Timeline & Break-Even Analysis

Basic setup ROI calculation shows a $2,500 initial investment with a $3,000 monthly net profit target, achieving break-even in 3-4 months. 

Professional setup ROI demonstrates a $6,000 initial investment with a $5,000 monthly net profit target, reaching break-even in 4-6 months.

5-year financial projection for solo operation: Year 1 generates $45,000 net profit, Year 2 achieves $65,000 net profit, Year 3 reaches $85,000 net profit, Year 4 produces $100,000 net profit, and Year 5 exceeds $120,000+ net profit, totaling $415,000+ cumulative profit.

10-year wealth-building potential through reinvesting profits into business growth and additional revenue streams could generate $1,000,000+ cumulative profit over a decade.

Conclusion

The gutter cleaning industry offers exceptional income potential for entrepreneurs willing to provide quality service in markets with adequate demand. 

With proper planning, equipment investment, and customer service focus, achieving significant income growth within 12-24 months is entirely realistic.

Whether pursuing gutter cleaning as a side hustle or full-time business venture, the combination of low startup costs, strong profit margins, and proven earning potential makes this industry worth serious consideration for aspiring service business owners. 

Similar opportunities exist in lawn care and pressure washing businesses, which can complement your service offerings. 

Begin with market research in your area, invest in basic equipment, and start building your customer base through direct marketing efforts.