You may be using an unsupported or outdated browser. For the best experience, please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to browse this website.
Drains and downpipes are a necessary part of most households. After professional installation, they cost about US$3,000 for an average American household with an area of less than 2,400 square feet. That being said, if you are willing to take on the work yourself and install your own drain, you can significantly reduce costs.
Aluminum gutters and downspouts—the most commonly installed type of gutter system—cost an average of about US$3,000 per household nationwide, which is equivalent to about US$20 per linear foot.
The total project cost can be as low as $1,000, or $7 per linear foot, and up to approximately $5,000, or $33 per linear foot.
The cost estimate below is based on a 150-foot-long drainage ditch on a single-storey house. One downspout is needed every 40 feet, so four downspouts are included in the estimate.
The gutter is either seamless or segmented. The seamless gutter is made of metal. They are only manufactured and installed by specialized companies. At the same time, the segmented drainage ditch is made of metal or vinyl and can be installed by professionals or DIYers.
Nine out of ten metal drains are made of aluminum instead of steel because aluminum is rust-resistant and lightweight.
Seamless drainage ditch, sometimes called continuous drainage ditch, is a metal drainage ditch formed by extruding large rolls of aluminum by a manufacturing machine. It is possible to create drainage ditches according to the exact length required, without the need to piece the drainage ditches together. The only joint is at the corner.
Seamless drains are very popular because leaks along the middle of the drain are almost eliminated. Since they can only be formed with large truck installation machines, the seamless drainage ditch is installed by professionals.
A 600-foot white-finished aluminum gutter coil costs approximately US$2 to US$3 per linear foot. The cost of personal materials for seamless drainage has never been included in the homeowner’s estimate.
Aluminum gutters with 8 or 10 feet of prefabricated sections can be pieced together on the house to the required length. Part of it is sutured with screws or rivets and drainage ditch sealant. At the end, the part is cut to a certain length to fit the corner pieces.
Aluminum combined drainage can be installed by professional drainage companies, contractors or homeowners. One advantage of the segmented drain is that individual parts can be removed and replaced in the event of damage. At the same time, the seamless drainage ditch needs to be replaced throughout the operation.
An 8-foot section of white-finished aluminum gutter costs approximately US$2.50 to US$3 per linear foot, materials only. White is usually the cheapest color. Other colors may cost an additional $0.20 to $0.30 per linear foot.
Vinyl segmented drainage ditch is newer to the market than metal drainage ditch. Vinyl drains have the same dimensions and side profile as metal drains.
Vinyl cross-section drains are easy to install because the material is easy to cut and drill. Vinyl gutters are also much heavier than aluminum gutters, making them heavier on your house-especially when they are filled with water and leaves.
Although aluminum and vinyl are by far the most commonly installed gutter materials, some homes require other materials aesthetically.
The copper begins to be bright and shiny, and then oxidizes to a rich green. Unlike steel, copper does not rust. The green patina of copper is very suitable for older or more traditional houses.
Because raw copper is expensive, copper gutters are also expensive. The cost per linear foot of the copper gutter installed is approximately US$20 to US$30. With only the purchase of materials, the cost per linear foot of the copper gutter is approximately $10 to $12.
Galvalume drains are made of steel, and the coating is roughly composed of half aluminum and half zinc. The steel base provides the aluminum-zinc-plated drainage ditch with strength beyond that of the aluminum drainage ditch, and the neutral gray aluminum-zinc coating provides a strong shell to prevent rust. Galvalume drains are usually used with modern or modern houses.
The installation cost of Galvalume drains is approximately US$20 to US$30 per linear foot. On a material-only basis, the cost per linear foot of galvalume drains is US$2 to US$3.
Replacing the gutter will increase the total cost of the project by an additional $2 or more per linear foot. The additional cost includes the labor cost and disposal cost of removing the existing drainage ditch. Before you work, please confirm with the drainage replacement company you choose to work with, as the cost of dismantling and disposal may have been included in their estimates.
If the fascia or soffit is damaged or rotted, you will also need to replace the affected part. These repair costs range from US$6 to US$20 per linear foot, with an average of about US$13 per foot.
If the company charges an additional fee for the removal and disposal of the drain, plus the 15-foot panel repair or replacement fee, the table below breaks down the cost range of the drain replacement.
The water deposited on the ground by the downspout can damage your home’s foundation as if there is no drain or downspout. The repair method is to extend the downpipe to an above-ground or underground pipe and move the water away from the house from 3 feet to 40 feet.
The cost of a basic above-ground plastic extension is between $5 and $20 per downspout to move water 3 to 4 feet away from the home.
The barely visible 4-inch underground sewer starts at the catch basin and ends at the dry well or drain. These extensions are more expensive, but provide a more thorough water management system. Their cost is between US$1,000 and US$4,000.
The life of the drain depends on your area and the rain, snow, and debris in the drain. Equally important is the frequency and level of maintenance. Most well-maintained aluminum gutter systems can be used for up to 20 years.
Generally speaking, it is cheaper to install the drain yourself. You can save all labor costs and any mark-up fees associated with hiring professionals. However, you may need to buy or rent some tools.
The material cost for self-installing a 150-foot drain with four downpipes is approximately US$450 to US$500. Adding accessories, such as screws, drain seals, corners, and downspout straps, will bring the total cost up to approximately US$550 to US$650.
The cost per linear foot of professional installation of seamless aluminum gutters in your home is approximately US$7 to US$33. The average cost per foot is about $20, but two-story and first-floor installations and the type and style of gutter material you choose are some of the factors that may increase the cost.
$(function() {$(‘.faq-question’).off(‘click’).on(‘click’, function() {var parent = $(this).parents(‘.faqs’); var faqAnswer = parent.find(‘.faq-answer’); if (parent.hasClass(‘clicked’)) {parent.removeClass(‘clicked’);} else {parent.addClass(‘clicked’);} faqAnswer. slideToggle(); }); })
Lee is a home improvement writer and content creator. As a professional home furnishing expert and avid DIY enthusiast, he has decades of experience in decorating and writing houses. When he doesn’t use drills or hammers, Li likes to solve difficult family topics for readers of various media.
Samantha is an editor, covering all home-related topics, including home improvement and maintenance. She has edited home repair and design content on websites such as The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also hosted videos about DIY home tips and solutions, and launched a number of home improvement review committees equipped with licensed professionals.
Post time: Jun-12-2021