(1)  Never hire someone driving through your neighborhood offering to clean your gutters.  Most of these individuals do not have appropriate workers' compensation and/or liability insurance.

(2)  Always verify workers' compensation and liability insurance before contracting with a gutter cleaning company whose workers will be working at dangerous heights and positions on your home.

(3) Use a well-known and reputable company that you can always find in the future or are able to easily contact for any reason.

(4)  Typically, the best gutter cleaning companies are going to be booked out about 7 - 14 days and perhaps longer during busy seasons.

(5)  As the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for”.  You don’t have to overpay, but be wary of the lowest prices you can find.

(6)  Don’t wait until you have overflowing gutters or water intrusion to get your gutters cleaned.  This can lead to expensive repairs, most notably wood rot and possible termite damage.

(7)  For traditionally seasonal businesses such as gutter cleaning, consider scheduling your services anytime but the busiest times of year to receive special pricing when the company personnel capacity is not maxed out.

(8)  Stick with a reputable company and build a relationship over the course of time, thus allowing you to receive periodic preferential treatment with any special requests, scheduling, etc.

(9)  Ask the contractor for references from customers who have had work performed similar to yours.

(10)  It is very important for the contractor to be attentive to your specific needs.  The contractor should show enthusiasm for your project by suggesting ways to work within a budget and addressing specific concerns you may have.

(11) Do not help contractors or their workers and do not lend them your tools.  If a worker is hurt while you are assisting (e.g., holding a ladder) or is hurt using one of your tools, you may be liable via a tort claim by the worker or contractor.