By Chester Aho, Founder of Udderly Gutters · Last updated November 5, 2026
The short answer: We don’t recommend installing gutters yourself. Getting the pitch, the hangers, and the downspout placement right takes the right tools and a lot of practice. If you get it wrong, water ends up exactly where you don’t want it: in your fascia, your foundation, and your basement.
Can I Install Gutters Myself?
Technically, yes. Big-box stores sell gutter sections, and there are plenty of how-to videos. But this is one job we tell homeowners to skip. Cleaning your gutters is maintenance. Installing them is building a system that protects your whole house.
What Makes Gutter Installation Harder Than It Looks?
- Pitch. Gutters need a slight slope toward the downspouts. Too flat and water sits there. Too steep and it overshoots. Either way, you’ll see it in the first big storm.
- Seams. Seamless gutters need a gutter machine that forms each run on-site from one continuous piece of metal. Homeowners don’t have that machine, so a DIY install means store-bought sections, and every seam is a spot that can leak. We bring the machine to your house and make your gutters to fit.
- Hangers and fascia. New England snow and ice put a lot of weight on gutters. Hangers have to be spaced and fastened correctly into solid wood, or the gutters pull away.
- Downspout placement. Where the water goes matters as much as where it’s collected. Get it wrong and you’re sending water toward your foundation.
- Working at the roofline. Long sections, ladders, and a two-story drop are a tough combination for one person.
When we redo a DIY install, the homeowner often ends up paying twice: once for the materials they put up, and again for the professional job.
What Does a Professional Installation Include?
It starts with a free estimate. Your Service Advisor comes out to look at your house and roofline and talks through your style and goals. Estimates are scheduled in a two-hour appointment window; the visit itself doesn’t take the full two hours. What to expect at your estimate. See seamless gutter installation and what new gutters cost.
DIY vs. Professional Installation at a Glance
| DIY | Hiring Udderly Gutters | |
|---|---|---|
| Gutter type | Sectional pieces from the store | Seamless, formed on-site with a gutter machine |
| Pitch and fit | Trial and error | Measured and set by an experienced crew |
| Cost | Lower up front, more if it has to be redone | Get a price range online |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to install gutters yourself?
Up front, sometimes. But store-bought sections, tools, and the cost of fixing mistakes add up fast. If the install fails, the water damage can cost far more than the gutters ever did.
What’s the difference between seamless and sectional gutters?
Sectional gutters come in pieces that get joined together, and every joint can leak. Seamless gutters are made on-site in one long piece for each run, so there are far fewer places for water to escape.
So, Should You DIY Your Gutter Install?
Our honest answer is no. Gutters keep water away from your roof, siding, and foundation, and the details make all the difference. Leave this one to us and put your weekend toward something more fun.
Call (603) 899-2465 or get a price estimate online.
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