I had a continuous gutter guy out last week and talked to him about the possibility of doing the install myself (FHB 198). He just laughed. As he pointed out: what’s in it for him? He is a one man operation. Watching me measure and install while he stands around waiting to supply the lengths isn’t saving him any money. Many of the measurements he takes are dependant on the previous pieces install, and being set up in one place with ladders. If I could supply him with a cut list he could just bang out then maybe, but he would be well down the road by the time I found any errors.
Has anyone tried this, or is it just a silly idea?
Replies
I'm paying 2.25 a foot for gutters l&m, wouldn't dream of getting in the way of that.
You can beat these guys, they have a system and they crank it out. Hanging gutters is a PITA - its not craftsmanship as musch as it is technic, and who needs it!
Now my problem is I want old fashion gutters - lead coated copper or galv. with the round downspouts. this is when I may have to do it myself because the cost of the material is so high!
I just installed seamless. If you measure it right, it is definately a plus (if you screw up, it sets you back a bit
yep I change my oil every 3000
miles or when I get bored...
which ever comes first
See if the guy will spit you out a cut list. Just make a list of the lengths you need and add a foot to each. You just cut them with a miter saw when you get your exact measurements. He'll have to make it worth his time though.
I get gutters made at my siding supply store (32' is my record) and install them myself when I'm just doing 1 or 2. Anymore it's just not worth doing myself.
Chuck
FT,
I installed my own over the summer. I just measured and added a foot to each length for trimming. Came home and the pieces were sitting next to the house ready to install.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
You can get 20' or longer gutters from roofing/siding stores. I did my house this way with one joint in the middle for 40' long roof. Choose heavier gauge gutters and bracket every 16". I found 24" o.c. spacing did't give enough support when ladder is rested against the gutter.
we always order from a seamless company.... squarecut ends he cuts and caps , punches the outlets....we cut our own miters ...we do all the measuring
we do all the install...
he drives up...extrudes them off the back.... we install
if they are going to require custom tops ....like say, a 20" drop.... i call it in and they make them up in the shop
Mike,what's the reasoning for doing it this way? east coast thing? big savings? quality control?from what i can tell the install cost is relatively a small portion of the cost, not worth the time in dragging out the ladders.
Barry E-Remodeler
ever seen an install by a typical gutter company ?
how do you think they make money at $2.50 / ft ?
the raw product is GENERALLY the same....( depending on guage )
the workmanship, hangers, number & spacing of hangers, downspout installation...
most are very inferior
Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
guess i'm lucky there, but i get your point. we have guys charging from 2.00 up to 3.50. Of course the better installers are usually on the higher end. thanks
Barry E-Remodeler
I notice in all the photos in FHB the gutters seem to be the 2" or 3" deep style which exposes a couple of inches of the fascia. Most builders around here use 5" fascia-gutters. I like them because they hold more water and eliminate the need for a finished fascia and all the maintenance it requires. Is this another regional thing?
I guess I might ending up doing a better job at hanging gutters, but it sure would take me more time. Unless the pitch is more than 8/12 my guy generally does everything from the roof by himself. I wouldn't even know how to start without two guys and two ladders.
one guy...2 ladders...some light rope,,
fascia hangers...ss screws...
water test for pitch
insert your fascia hangers 2' oc (recommended ).... don't let it rack...pick it up by the hangers
Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 9/28/2008 7:50 pm ET by MikeSmith
my siding supplier makes them up any lenth you want as long as you can carry it
I agree with mike S, the gutter guys are just hacks. in and out in 30 minutes and it shows