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Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a senior writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His expertise focuses on home warranties, with over 50 hours spent reviewing provider sample contracts to understand their benefits. He also regularly performs consumer research, such as surveys and customer interviews with an eye on incorporating data into his writing. Jesus has a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Stanislaus, and is still located within California’s vibrant Central Valley. When he is not researching or writing, he enjoys supporting his favorite sports teams, spending time with loved ones and chasing new adventures outdoors.
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LeafFilter gutter guards cost an average of $4,484 for 200 linear feet.
LeafFilter guards cost an average of $22.42 per linear foot.
Home size, configuration and location, as well as gutter conditions, affect gutter guard costs.
LeafFilter customers who installed gutter guards within the last five years reported paying an average of $4,484 for 200 linear feet of guards, according to our 300-respondent survey from October 2023. They also reported paying $22.42 per linear foot on average.
The figures above are national averages, meaning your specific pricing will vary based on your location and home size. Below, we detail cost ranges for LeafFilter’s proprietary gutter protection system that we’ve obtained through our research.
If you’d like to consider other brands, check out our review of the best gutter guards.
The biggest factors affecting LeafFilter system costs are how many linear feet you purchase and the labor involved in installing LeafFilter products. We give a detailed breakdown of each factor below.
We sourced LeafFilter invoices from actual customers as part of our data collection process. According to a 2019 contract we reviewed, materials and installation of 168 linear feet of second-story LeafFilter gutter guards cost one Illinois customer $6,231.
Linear feet play the largest role in the cost of a LeafFilter gutter protection system because the larger your gutter system is, the more linear feet you need to buy. According to our research, the average 2,000-square-foot, single-family home could accommodate roughly 200 linear feet of gutter guards.
During LeafFilter’s free in-home consultation, LeafFilter representatives visit your home and measure your existing system to determine how many linear feet you need. These measurements will determine how much LeafFilter will charge for its guards.
Nearly 55% of our 300 LeafFilter survey respondents reported installing between 100 and 200 linear feet of gutter guards.
As mentioned, your home’s size determines how many linear feet of guards you need. Larger homes with long roof sections and multiple corners in their roofline will require more linear feet. It all comes down to how many linear feet of gutter guards you deem necessary to adequately protect your existing gutters.
Based on the LeafFilter invoices we reviewed, we found that some homeowners decided to install guards on certain sections of their gutters rather than the whole system. You should check to see which parts of your home receive the most debris buildup before requesting an in-home consultation, said Kevin Brauer, owner of Storm Guard Roofing and Construction in St Louis. Parts of your home may not receive the same debris buildup as others.
We recommend talking to a LeafFilter representative to discuss which sections of your home will benefit most from installing LeafFilter micro-mesh gutter guards.
The labor required for LeafFilter’s professional installation services is the second major factor affecting its guard costs. Based on the invoices we analyzed, LeafFilter labor fees can range from $177 to $518 for a complete gutter and gutter guard installation.
However, we analyzed a small sample of invoices — LeafFilter’s labor costs will depend on your location, home size and configuration.
Below, we highlight several factors that influence LeafFilter’s labor cost.
Several invoices we reviewed detailed jobs that installed new gutters along with LeafFilter gutter guards. These homeowners, all located in Minnesota, paid between $1,093 and $5,281 for their new gutter guard system. We noted that these jobs used fewer than 200 linear feet of guards.
The condition of your home’s gutter system dictates how much labor LeafFilter installers need to perform to install guards. Gutters in good working condition that are mounted properly will require the least amount of labor since the installers only need to add LeafFilter’s guards onto them.
Poorly mounted, damaged or worn gutters will command higher labor rates since the installers will likely provide gutter repair services in addition to installing the guards. They’ll recommend gutter replacement if your system is in poor condition.
Your home’s configuration is another factor LeafFilter accounts for in its gutter guard pricing. Homes with steeply pitched roofs and obstacles such as tree branches and landscaping make installation more time-consuming, increasing labor costs. If major obstacles impede the installation path, you’ll likely need to address those before installing LeafFilter guards.
“A roof configuration that has more eaves will affect the [labor] price because you have to use more material,” said Andrew Prchal, president and cofounder of Gunner Roofing in Stamford, Connecticut. “A higher story presents a more difficult install, which would cause the price to increase. Houses that are more average in shape and first story houses are, in general, easier to work with which can result in the price decreasing.”
The final factor influencing LeafFilter labor rates is your home’s location. Labor rates, applicable permits and your area’s climate affect how much you’ll pay for LeafFilter installation.
Our analysis of 11 LeafFilter invoices found that labor rates differ across locations. For example, an invoice from a job in Milaca, Minnesota, shows that LeafFilter charged $680 in labor to install 88 linear feet of gutter guards.
An invoice from a Litchfield, Minnesota, job shows that LeafFilter charged $312 in labor for 84 linear feet of gutters and gutter guards.
Deciding to install DIY gutter guards versus having LeafFilter or any gutter guard company install guards can largely depend on cost. However, there are other factors to consider, which we outline below.
You’ll pay significantly more per linear foot for LeafFilter guards than DIY gutter guards. For example, DIY guards can cost between $200 and $700 in total, based on prices we found on Amazon and Lowe’s.
We found in our gutter guard testing that LeafFilter’s guards are durable stainless steel micro-mesh, which can catch small debris such as pine needles and shingle grit. In addition, we’ve found that they provide better water flow — and, therefore, less clogging — than DIY guards.
LeafFilter sends trained installers to your home who install the guards without intervention, in most cases. DIY gutter guards require you to install them yourself or find a third-party contractor who can install them.
LeafFilter provides a lifetime and transferrable warranty for all gutter products it installs. DIY gutter guards have varied warranties depending on the manufacturer, which reduces their value compared to LeafFilter.
While LeafFilter gutter guards will cost more than any DIY options, you can save on your total installation cost. Below are some tips on how to save money on LeafFilter installation.
You can expect LeafFilter’s gutter guards to last many years due to their lifetime warranty. Since their guards are made of sturdy stainless steel, LeafFilter estimates that they will last the life of your home.
However, we researched the longevity of comparable micro-mesh screen gutter guards and found that several local gutter companies claim they’ll last at least 20 years. LeafFilter guards may last more or fewer years, depending on your climate. For example, areas that experience hail may wear quicker than areas with heavy rain.
If you want the best protection, service and peace of mind for your gutters, LeafFilter is our top choice. We tested its 275-micron surgical-grade stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guards and found they provide the best water flow regardless of the debris we added. Its lifetime warranty adds additional value and protection to your investment.
That said, you’ll likely pay a few thousand more for a LeafFilter system than DIY gutter guards and other national brands. To learn more about LeafFilter’s specifics, check out our LeafFilter review. In addition, we suggest requesting quotes from multiple gutter guard companies to weigh their pricing and guard options.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Erika Skorstad is an editor for USA TODAY Homefront. She covers topics ranging from home warranties to lawn care. Previously, Erika edited content about venture capital, marketing and cloud computing. She has a BS in professional writing with a minor in interactive narrative. Her fiction has been published in Marathon Literary Review, Levitate Literary Magazine and the Burlington Writers Workshop Cold Lake Anthology. Outside of work, Erika enjoys reading psychological thrillers, doing yoga, going on nature walks and spending time with her sassy black cat, Cassie. She lives in Washington.
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