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What changes the cost of concrete guttering work?
Concrete guttering work costs more or less depending on whether the gutter is repaired, relined or removed and replaced, how long and high the run is, and what scaffolding and roof-edge work are needed. This guide does not print a price, so ask each roofer to quote for the same option.
Last reviewed:What are concrete gutters?
On some houses, the gutter is not a plastic or metal channel screwed to a fascia board. It is a run of cast concrete sections at the eaves, sitting on top of the wall, with the roof tiles finishing over it. The sections are joined end to end, and a joint that has failed can let water through.
When a concrete gutter leaks, water can run down the face of the wall or into it, causing stains or damp patches inside. That is often what prompts the quote.
This guide does not print a price for repair, relining or replacement. It explains what each option involves, so you can compare roofers' quotes fairly. QuoteZila starts in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach first, and anyone in the UK can post the job to roofers or guttering installers.
Repair, reline or remove?
Repair the joints. If the concrete is sound and only the joints leak, the joints can be cleaned out and resealed. This is the smallest job, but it may only last until the next joint fails.
Reline the gutter. A lining is laid inside the concrete channel and dressed into the outlets, so water runs on the lining rather than on the concrete. Ask what material is used, how it is fixed, how the roof edge is lifted and relaid to get it in, and what the lining is expected to last.
Remove and replace. The concrete sections are taken off, the wall top is made good, and a timber fascia with a conventional gutter is fitted, often with the roof edge altered to suit. This is the biggest job. It involves heavy concrete at height, roof work and new rainwater goods.
Ask each roofer which option they recommend and why. A quote for a reline and a quote for removal are not comparable, so make sure you know which you are getting.
What changes the quote?
| Factor | What to ask | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Option | Joint repair, relining or removal | The scope of work is completely different |
| Length | Metres of gutter on each elevation | More gutter, more labour and material |
| Height | Bungalow, two storeys, or higher | Taller walls need more scaffolding [S2] |
| Access | Conservatories, extensions, paths, drives | Scaffolding has to bridge or work around them |
| Condition | Cracks, spalling, failed joints, outlets | Poor concrete pushes towards removal |
| Roof edge | Tiles lifted and relaid, felt or membrane at the eaves | Roof work adds labour and risk |
| Fascia and soffit | New timber or uPVC if the concrete comes off [S3] | Materials and joinery |
| Ventilation | How roof ventilation is kept or added [S3] | Vents may be needed |
| Downpipes | Reused or replaced, and outlets | Extra parts |
| Neighbour's side | How the run ends at the boundary | Joint detail and agreement |
| Waste | Taking away broken concrete [S7] | Heavy waste |
| VAT | Included or extra. Registration applies above £90,000 of taxable turnover [S6] | Changes the total |
Scaffolding and safety
A concrete gutter job is work at height. Planning Portal's roof safety page, which is sponsored content from HSE, says every year people die after falling when working at height, and that when working on a roof scaffolding is usually required [S2]. It says scaffolding with a handrail, mid rail and toe boards helps protect workers from falling and those below from falling objects [S2]. If ladders have to be used, they should be in good condition, the right type for the work, and not going to move [S2].
HSE says a ladder should only be used on firm, level, clean and solid surfaces, where it will not be struck by vehicles or pushed over, where the public are kept away from underneath, and where it has been secured [S1].
Removing concrete sections at the eaves is heavy, and anything dropped could injure someone below. Ask the roofer how they will lower the concrete and keep the area beneath clear. Do not try to reach or lift a concrete gutter yourself from a ladder.
HSE: work at height. QuoteZila is not affiliated with this organisation. HSE explains more about work at height. Our scaffolders page covers that trade, and scaffolding costs explains what changes that part of the price.
Fascias, soffits, ventilation and permission
If the concrete comes off, the eaves usually need a new fascia and soffit. Planning Portal says replacing fascia boards or soffits will not normally need building regulations approval [S3]. It advises checking that the replacement work does not reduce the ventilation provided to the roof void, because that could cause condensation and damp on the timbers, and says that if the existing system has vents a similar system will need to be maintained [S3].
Planning Portal also says maintenance of fascias, such as replacement or painting, generally does not require planning permission, but if you live in a listed building or a designated area such as a conservation area, you should check with your local planning authority first [S4].
New gutters and downpipes are their own part of the job. Guttering replacement costs covers new plastic or metal gutters, and gutter repair costs covers smaller repairs.
What can you check from the ground?
You do not need a ladder to gather useful information for a quote. Stand back from the house on a wet day and look along the gutter line.
- Drips and overflows. Note where water drips from the underside of the gutter or spills over the front, and take a short video.
- Staining. Dark streaks or green growth on the wall below the gutter usually mark where water is escaping.
- Plants. Grass or moss growing along the gutter line suggests debris and standing water.
- Downpipes. Check whether each downpipe runs freely into a gully, and whether any joint is leaking.
- Inside. Look at the tops of bedroom walls and ceilings below the gutter line for damp patches, peeling paint or mould.
- Next door. Look at where your gutter meets the neighbour's and whether their side has been changed already.
Send all of that with the job. It helps a roofer decide what access they need and which option is likely, before they visit.
Damp, staining and the cause
A concrete gutter that leaks is one possible cause of damp at the top of a wall, but not the only one. Before you agree to a large job, ask the roofer to show where water is getting out, using photos from the scaffolding or a ladder inspection. Blocked outlets and debris can cause overflows that look like leaks. Gutter cleaning is a smaller first step if the gutter is simply full.
If damp has already reached inside, our damp proofing page covers that trade. Fix the source first, then the inside walls.
How do you compare quotes?
Ask each roofer for the same things: which option they recommend and why, the length of gutter on each side of the house, the scaffolding included, what happens at the roof edge, what replaces the concrete if it comes off, how ventilation is dealt with, what happens at the boundary with the neighbour, and how waste is removed.
Citizens Advice suggests trying to get written quotes from at least 3 different traders, and says some traders charge for quotes, so ask about this first [S5]. A quote is a fixed price, and an estimate is just a rough guess [S5]. Do not agree to pay everything up front. If a deposit cannot be avoided, push it down as much as possible, do not agree to more than 25%, and always get a receipt [S5].
Be cautious with doorstep callers who say your concrete gutters must be replaced that day. Get the job inspected and quoted in writing first.
Old concrete and waste
Concrete gutter sections are heavy and bulky once removed. GOV.UK's waste code says a tradesperson who works on your property is responsible for the waste they produce, including its transport and disposal, and that the cost should be included in what they charge [S7]. Ask for removal of the old concrete to be listed on the quote.
Jobs you might post
These are examples, not taken from real job posts.
- "Concrete gutters at the front of a semi, leaking at two joints and staining the wall. Please inspect and quote to repair or reline."
- "Bungalow with concrete gutters all round. Please quote to remove them and fit new fascias, soffits and gutters, including scaffolding."
- "Damp patch inside at the top of a bedroom wall below the concrete gutter. Please inspect and say whether the gutter is the cause."
Posting a concrete gutter job
Photos of the gutter line from the ground, any staining on the walls and any damp patches inside help a roofer quote. Your job goes to up to five matched local businesses [QZ2]. QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1].
Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.
Posting a job is not open yet
Questions about concrete guttering
How much does concrete guttering work cost?
This guide does not print a figure. Sealing one leaking joint, relining a full run and taking the concrete out to fit new fascias and plastic gutters are three very different jobs. Ask each roofer which option they recommend, why, and to price the scaffolding separately.
Should concrete gutters be repaired, relined or removed?
It depends on their condition. Sound concrete with leaking joints may only need the joints sealed. A run with many leaks may be relined. Badly cracked or spalling concrete may be better removed. Ask for the roofer's reasons in writing and photos of what they saw from up close.
Do I need scaffolding?
Probably for anything more than a quick look. Planning Portal's roof safety page, written by HSE, says scaffolding is usually required when working on a roof, and that ladders, if they have to be used, must be in good condition, the right type and not going to move. Ask how the roofer will reach the whole run safely.
Does replacing concrete gutters need permission?
Planning Portal says replacing fascia board or soffit will not normally need building regulations approval, but that roof ventilation should not be reduced. It says maintenance of fascias generally does not need planning permission, unless you live in a listed building or a designated area such as a conservation area. Ask your council if either applies.
What if my gutter runs into my neighbour's?
On semi-detached and terraced houses the gutter line can be continuous. Removing or relining your half affects the joint with the neighbour's. Talk to them before the work, and ask the roofer how the end of your run will be finished.
Does VAT change the price?
It can. A business must register for VAT if its taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over £90,000. Ask whether VAT is included.
Does QuoteZila check roofers?
No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.
This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.
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- Fibreglass Roof Work in Cheshire: What to Ask. A fibreglass roof in Cheshire is a flat covering whose quote should name the deck, the outlets and the trims. Compare those lines before you compare totals.
- Flat Roof Prices: FMB Figures and What They Cover. Flat roof prices published by the Federation of Master Builders by roof area, what sits inside that price layer by layer, and why your quote may differ.
Sources
- QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and FAQ copy.
- QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ How does getting quotes work.
- S1: Where ladders should be used, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/ladders/where-ladders-should-be-used.htm
- S2: Roof: getting your job done safely (HSE content), Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/roof/getting-your-job-done-safely
- S3: Fascias: Building Regulations, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/fascias/building-regulations
- S4: Fascias: planning permission, Planning Portal. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/fascias/planning-permission
- S5: Before you get building work done, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/
- S6: Register for VAT, GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat
- S7: Waste duty of care: code of practice, GOV.UK (Defra). Accessed 2026-10-30. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice