Frequently Asked Questions about the History and Comparisons of Gutters Page #3 of 3

“ for the finest in rain management.”

Here are links to specific topics for residential rain-gutters
as researched by: David Rich from 1992 to now

Page #1

12. Steel vs. Aluminum?
13. Plastic Gutters?
14. Sturdy Installation
15. Snow Damage
16. Level or Graded Gutters?
17. Drip Edge Roof Flashing
18. Is it Continuous?
19. Corners for Gutters
20. Colors to Choose From?
21. Downspouts & Elbows
22. Leaf-Catchers?

What about leaf protection over the gutters?

We go into this issue in more detail on our No-Clog Comparison web page.

We price the deluxe hinged leaf screen we offer on each bid.  This screen is a lot sturdier than the other screens, but most of all, they are easily accessible.  They clip onto the outer lip of the gutter with 3 metal clips for each 4 foot wide screen.  They are separated every 4 feet, so you need only open one section at a time.

They will keep out about 90% of normal leafy debris, and about 70% of the pine needles.  It keeps out all the large leaves and braches that will clog up a gutter real fast.  This helps make it a low maintenance system, but there will still be some pine needles, roof sand, and moss growing in the gutters.  What little gets through should be able to flush out in a heavy down-pour.  That is where the larger no-clog outlets and Leaf-catchers come in to solve the rest of this issue.

Again, we go more into this issue on our No-Clog Comparison web page.

There is an extra large 3"x 4" industrial size down spout that can be used.  This allows for a larger outlet.  Leaf Guard ®'s 'never clog gutters' system warranty hinges on these larger downspouts.  The big problem with their aluminum gutters is they cost a lot more than DMR Gutters, and they do not use as high quality parts and installation.  Also, Leaf Guard gutters do not work well.  Leaf Guard ® may guaranty that their gutters will not clog, but they will not guaranty that their gutters will continue to accept rain-water.

There are dozens of copy add-ons to mimic Leaf Guard's system, but they are also very costly, and fail even sooner. It is a clever concept, and in a perfectly debris free situation, they will work flawlessly, but in that kind of situation there is no need for leaf protection at all!  There is no perfect solution, but clearly screens are still the better solution.  It just takes a more rigid set of screens, and with the screens I install, they are rigid enough to have hinges for opening the screens and have easy access when needed.

The old method of building a no clog gutter outlet was to install a funnel in the bottom of the gutter. The funnels are normally used to join two downspouts into one, but this allowed me to cut a very large hole in the bottom of the gutter, allowing the debris just tip into the downspout. The only problem is that it makes the first elbow a foot lower and may look odd.

We do not push the sale of copper gutters, since it is not like they will hold up than much better or last longer than aluminum for the added cost.  The standard 16oz copper used is a little sturdier, but the one relevant reason to get copper gutters is the simple fact that you will not need to deal with the painting again and they will not mildew like all other gutters do.  You also have the option to get the thicker 20oz copper, where aluminum or steel does not have that option.

Copper costs contractors 5 times as much as painted aluminum.  The end cost to you tends to be only about double, since there is not a lot of extra labor involved.  The main reason people get copper gutters for their house is for the bragging rights they get with copper.  I think they look pretty neat before they tarnish, but there is no good way to keep them from tarnishing.  Most of the people who can afford copper gutters seem the like the patina look of copper, and in some cases they have asked if we could give them an acid wash to accelerate this patina look, but since expose copper will naturally turn brown within a few months, it is hardly worth the extra cost.

You will be hard pressed to find a gutter contractor who is as qualified to do the custom work we have done. We will usually suggest to you many ideas and options to consider. Click on this photo below to see the link page to a few of the different sort of custom work we have done in the recent past. We are happy to spend the extra time to brain-storm new solutions to your needs.

No, we have yet to meet viable candidates to help us with our schedule of work and maintain our high standards.  Our reputation would then hing on their work and professionalism.  We have found this a nut we have not been able to crack, and have pretty much given up trying.  Besides the mountain of paperwork that comes with employees, I guess our tolerance for incompetence is too narrow, and we are not good with employees and all the give and take that comes with it.  We also do not like the pressure to keep them busy enough to make sure they are making a good living.

We are a very hands-on company.  We are happily resigned to this as out future.  Most people seem to feel that a small business cannot survive if it does not grow at a substantial rate.  Maybe when a business graduate to a certain point, it becomes like a run-away train that they need to try to maintain control of, or else it will end in a fiery crash?  When a business grows like that, the owners have to change careers.  The have to become managers of people, or at least managers of managers.  Instead of doing what it was to create the business they had begun.

We like what we do.  It largely contributes to the vitality of our lives, instead of the constant stress we would wind-up feeling day to day.

We go into this issue in more detail on our Warranty web page.

The CCB in Salem Oregon requires contractors to provide only a one-year labor warranty, but we offer a 10-year labor warranty, which is upgradeable to a 15-year labor warranty with screens added at the time of installation.  A 15-year no-clog warranty with the No-clog outlets also.  Most of our clients choose the full package deal; at least 9 out of 10.

What does it take for you to write us up a bid for new gutters, or other work?

It usually takes me 15 to 20 minutes to chart and bid a house.  I can pretty much get all the rough measurements I will need from the ground with my rolling measuring wheel.  I need to over estimate the footage slightly, so I will have enough materials for the job.

We would like to think we do not apply pressure to our clients either way, but if you are interested in a completely no-pressure bid you can do for yourself, see our Latest News web page for details and a copy of our bid sheet.

My current schedule is listed on our Latest News web page.

If we make a deal and we are doing your gutters, we will usually come back out to remove the gutters when we am ready to do your house.  We also get the exact measurements at that time.  If they are not over 40 feet long, we then make sure to get all the parts needed, and custom fabricate parts to fit your house in our work shop.  We then drive them out to your place to install them.  This way there in less construction obstruction and noise at your place.  Clients seem to like this feature a lot.

It has been a part of our integrity for the last decade.  We have given all our clients an honest discount from the price listed on the original bid.  When we finish with each gutter job, we of course have all the exact measurements down to 1/4".  We recalculate the measurements for the final price to only be the cost of the parts used on their house.

Unless you ask me to do some extra work, or we agree on some unforeseen work needed to complete the job, then the final price is most always less than the original bid, and not more.  That way you never have to pay for imaginary parts of an over inflated bid, or just sloppy measurements.  For that matter you won’t even have to pay for any cut off that was necessary for the job.

In our travels we have often heard how other contractors claim a lower price per foot for their gutters, but for some reason, their bids have been several hundreds of dollars more than ours?  This can be nothing other than shady business.

Below is a photo of our
Better Business Bureau's
NW Business Integrity Award
for the year 1998

We were also a 1997 finalist for this same award. See our referral web page to see how we managed to be honored with this special award