Gutters cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,150 – $3,800
- Per linear ft
- $7.05 – $22.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #272
- 1 = most expensive
New gutters in Decatur, AL usually costs $1,150 to $3,800 for 160 linear ft. That works out to about $7.05 to $22.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $280 less. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $22.57 an hour in the Decatur area, 24% below the US median of $29.71.
Estimate your gutters cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Decatur, AL, standard level
$1,900 to $3,000
About $11.50 to $18 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 34% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 |
| Labor | $700 | $950 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $1,900 | $3,000 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $620 | $1,550 | $2,450 | 63% |
| Labor | $510 | $830 | $1,150 | 34% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 4% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,450 | $3,800 | 100% |
Why Decatur prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: sheet metal workers at 40%, roofers at 30%, construction laborers at 30%. Weighted together, Decatur wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 34% of the midpoint estimate (38% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Decatur is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,600 nationally becomes $1,550 here (midpoint, 160 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.2: $0 to $170.
Decatur weather and the gutters calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Decatur Pryor Fld (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Decatur are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Decatur gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and December (5.2 inches in December). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 64 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 32 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 70 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 68 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 61 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 39 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 54 | 35 | 5.2 | Workable |
What local crews earn in Decatur
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Decatur the blend is 0.79.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 40% of the weighting: a median of $22.57 an hour, 24% below the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $19.37 and $25.50 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 8.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Roofers (47-2181), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.25 an hour, 17% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $26.72 an hour. About 30 work in the metro. That is 4.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $18.11 an hour, which is 20% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.52 and $23.05 an hour. BLS counts 690 of them working in the area, 112.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (sheet metal workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $40 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $45. That is a swing of roughly 1.8% to 1.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Decatur has 61,240 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 283rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $19.37 | $22.57 | $25.50 | $29.71 | 0.76 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $22.00 | $22.25 | $26.72 | $26.65 | 0.83 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $15.52 | $18.11 | $23.05 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Is Decatur cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Decatur. Tuscaloosa is the lowest at about $2,450 (midpoint, 160 linear ft), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,450 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,450 | +1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $1,100 – $3,800 | $2,450 | level |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +5% |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +7% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $1,100 – $3,800 | $2,450 | level |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Decatur ranks #272 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Decatur is 0% above the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,450 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $1,100 – $3,800 | $2,450 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $1,100 – $3,800 | $2,450 | level |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,500 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | +4% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $1,100 – $3,700 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,500 | +3% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +16% |
Planning more than one job in Decatur?
Jobs that often go together with gutters are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Decatur wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (−4%) and roof replacement lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,100 | −12% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,600 – $28,900 | −12% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,500 – $22,500 | −11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −11% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $960 – $3,850 | −4% |
Why two Decatur quotes can differ
Material
Vinyl is $8-$12 per linear foot installed and aluminum $10-$20. Steel and copper run higher (HomeGuide).
Seamless
Seamless costs $3-$5+ more per linear foot than sectional, but has fewer places to leak.
Stories
Two-story homes add $1-$3 per linear foot for ladders and fall protection.
Cost by quality level and size in Decatur
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Decatur. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small house (120 linear ft) to large house (240 linear ft).
Basic
$1,150 to $2,200
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$1,900 to $3,000
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$2,700 to $3,800
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $840 – $1,650 | $1,450 – $2,250 | $2,050 – $2,900 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,200 | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,700 – $3,800 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $1,700 – $3,250 | $2,850 – $4,400 | $4,050 – $5,600 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $1,900 to $3,000 for Decatur, AL is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the gutters numbers for Decatur, AL line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Gutters in Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Decatur?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,150 to $3,800 in the Decatur area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,900 to $3,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in Decatur?
About $7.05 to $22.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,500, which is 1% more than Decatur ($2,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 34% at the midpoint, or $830 out of $2,450. Materials are 63% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in Decatur?
$1,150 to $3,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Decatur?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Decatur area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur is 0% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($2,450 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in Decatur?
The BLS median is $22.57 an hour in the Decatur area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.37 to $25.50.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Decatur?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,150 to $2,200 and premium work $2,700 to $3,800. Basic means: vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story. Premium means: steel or copper, two stories, custom length.
+When is the best time to install gutters in Decatur?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Gutters near Decatur
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Home Genius Exteriors: How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus the $4-$9 per linear foot labor figure from Home Genius Exteriors.