Measuring Your Home for Gutters (DIY Estimate Method)
Last updated: May 23, 2026 · Reading time ~5 min
What to measure
You want the total length of every place a gutter will hang. That's the bottom edge of every roof slope on your house — the 'eave' line.
Don't measure roof slopes themselves (the long sides going up). Don't measure rake lines (the diagonal edges of gable ends). Just the bottom horizontal edges where rain runs off.
How to measure without a ladder
Stand 20-30 feet back from the house. Use a tape measure on the ground from corner to corner of each elevation. Note each measurement. Sum them up. Add 10% for waste and end caps.
Quick estimates by house type
Small 1-story ranch (1,200 sq ft): 100-140 lin ft
Typical 1-story ranch (1,500-2,000 sq ft): 140-200 lin ft
2-story colonial (2,200-2,800 sq ft): 180-260 lin ft
Large 2-story (3,000-4,000 sq ft): 240-360 lin ft
Pricing it out
Multiply your linear footage by $10-$14 for 5" K-style installed (Premier's typical KC range). Add $1,200-$2,400 if you want LeafBlaster Pro guards.
Frequently asked
Do I need to count both stories on a 2-story?
Only the eaves that need gutters — usually just the roof edges (not the upper-story floor lines). A 2-story typically has the same eave footprint as a 1-story of the same size.
What if my roof has a lot of valleys?
Valleys don't need gutters (the water drains down to the lower eave). Just measure the bottom edges.
Should I include the garage?
Yes if the garage will get gutters. Attached garage adds 30-60 lin ft typically.
Related reading
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