Gutters cost in Durham, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,150 – $3,900
- Per linear ft
- $7.30 – $23
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #206
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install gutters in Durham, plan on $1,150 to $3,900 for 160 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $7.30 to $23 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% lower than the national one. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $22.23 an hour in the Durham area, 25% below the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Durham, NC, standard level
$2,000 to $3,100
About $12 to $18.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 35% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 |
| Labor | $760 | $1,050 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $2,000 | $3,100 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Durham, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $620 | $1,550 | $2,450 | 61% |
| Labor | $550 | $900 | $1,250 | 35% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 4% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,550 | $3,900 | 100% |
Why Durham prices look the way they do
Labor is 35% of the midpoint bill here, against 38% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is sheet metal workers (40%), roofers (30%), construction laborers (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Durham the blended ratio comes out at 0.86.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Durham metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 160 linear ft comes to $1,550, compared with $1,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.6) and land at $0 to $200.
Data note: 30% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Durham. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Durham quotes can differ
Permit
Local building codes may add $50-$200, though most cities don't require one.
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.
Durham labor market for gutters
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Durham is 0.86 times the national level.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.23 an hour, which is 25% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $18.69 and $27.87 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 2.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Durham metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $23.56 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.61 and $27.18 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.38 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $25.15 an hour. About 1,120 work in the metro. That is 32.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the sheet metal workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.87 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $80. At the 25th percentile ($18.69) it shrinks by about $50. The total moves by 3.1% or 2.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 344,020 jobs in the Durham-Chapel Hill area. That makes it the 74th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.22% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $18.69 | $22.23 | $27.87 | $29.71 | 0.75 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $21.61 | $23.56 | $27.18 | $26.65 | 0.88 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.03 | $22.38 | $25.15 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Climate in Durham: timing your gutters job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Durham (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Durham gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
Is Durham cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 160 linear ft range from $2,500 to $2,550 across Durham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NCthis page | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,550 | |
| Burlington, NC15 miles | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | −1% |
| Greensboro, NC40 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC40 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Fayetteville, NC65 miles | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | −1% |
| Winston, NC70 miles | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | −1% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +8% |
Across 300 US metros, Durham comes in at #206 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $3,450; the cheapest is Longview, TX at $2,350 (midpoints, 160 linear ft). Statewide, Durham is 1% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,550 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,150 – $3,850 | $2,500 | −1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,550 | level |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,600 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Durham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Durham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $1,550 – $4,800 | $3,200 | +25% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,550 | level |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $1,100 – $3,700 | $2,400 | −5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,100 – $3,650 | $2,350 | −7% |
What nearby projects cost in Durham
Because every project leans on different trades, Durham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −5% and metal roof −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,600 – $11,600 | −7% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,000 – $29,800 | −9% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,300 | −8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $930 – $3,800 | −6% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: gutters pricing in Durham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Durham wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,150 to $2,250
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$2,000 to $3,100
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$2,800 to $3,900
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $880 – $1,700 | $1,500 – $2,350 | $2,150 – $3,000 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,250 | $2,000 – $3,100 | $2,800 – $3,900 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $1,750 – $3,350 | $2,950 – $4,550 | $4,150 – $5,750 |
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 $2,000 to $3,100 for Durham, NC is attached.
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Gutters in Durham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Durham?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,150 to $3,900 in the Durham area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,000 to $3,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in Durham?
About $7.30 to $23 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in Durham or Burlington?
Burlington is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,500, which is 1% less than Durham ($2,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Durham?
About 35% at the midpoint, or $900 out of $2,550. Materials are 61% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in Durham?
$1,150 to $3,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Durham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $200 for fees in the Durham area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Durham expensive for gutters compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Durham is 1% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($2,550 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in Durham?
The BLS median is $22.23 an hour in the Durham area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.69 to $27.87.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Durham?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,150 to $2,250 and premium work $2,800 to $3,900. 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 Durham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February and November 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 Durham
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.