Gutter Installation in Des Moines, IA

Local know-how

Gutters in Des Moines: what local homeowners should know

Central Iowa gets hailstorms, strong winds and derechos. Damaged roofs and gutters are replaced after many storm seasons, and new seamless gutters with a roof replacement are a common combination.

Heavy spring rains and winter snow and ice mean gutters need proper sizing and strong attachment. Growing suburbs like Ankeny and Waukee add many newer homes that need gutter upgrades or guards.

Key facts: gutters in Des Moines, IA

• Typical cost: HomeGuide puts seamless aluminum gutters at about $6 to $12 per linear foot installed nationally; local prices vary.
• Do gutter contractors need to register in Iowa? Yes. Contractors earning $2,000 or more a year from construction work must register with the state.
• How much rain and snow does Des Moines get? About 36.6 inches of precipitation and about 36.5 inches of snow a year on average under the 1991–2020 normals.
• Common choice: seamless aluminum K-style gutters in 5- or 6-inch sizes; 6-inch with 3x4-inch downspouts for large roofs and heavy rain.
• How to get connected: call the number on this page and you are connected with an independent local installer who serves your ZIP code. The call is free and there is no obligation.

Updated November 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Rain, snow and severe storms

Des Moines averages about 36.6 inches of precipitation and about 36.5 inches of snow a year under the 1991–2020 normals. Most of the rain falls from April through August in thunderstorms that can drop an inch or two in an hour, with hail and damaging winds. Winters are cold, with snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles.

The 2020 derecho

On August 10, 2020, a derecho crossed Iowa with winds up to about 140 mph at its peak. It traveled some 770 miles in 14 hours and, according to NOAA, became the most costly thunderstorm event in modern U.S. history. Central and eastern Iowa were hit hardest; across the state, trees, roofs, siding and gutters were torn off. The recovery made it clear how much attachment matters. Gutters with hidden hangers screwed into rafter tails through sound fascia, straps at every downspout joint and guards that fasten down held up far better than older spike-and-ferrule systems. See gutters and high winds.

Hail

Central Iowa sees hail most years. Hail dents gutters and downspouts and strips shingle granules that wash into gutters. Heavier-gauge aluminum resists dents, and documenting damage with photos before repairs helps with insurance claims. See hail-damaged gutters: what to do.

Basements and clay soils

Most Des Moines homes have basements, and central Iowa’s glacial clay soils drain slowly. Roof water discharged at the foundation soaks the soil against basement walls, especially in spring when snowmelt and rain arrive together. Extensions that carry water several feet away onto ground that slopes away are the first fix; buried lines to a daylight outlet keep lawns clear. See wet basement? check your gutters first.

Ice dams and older homes

Older neighborhoods such as Sherman Hill, Drake, Beaverdale and the south side have homes with steep roofs and limited attic insulation. Ice dams form in cold snaps and pull gutters loose. Hidden hangers about every 2 feet, heavier gauge and correct slope help; the lasting fix is attic air sealing and insulation. See ice dams and gutters and snow load and gutters.

Trees and the leaf season

The 2020 derecho took down many of central Iowa’s trees, but older neighborhoods and suburbs still have maples, oaks and ashes that fill gutters in fall, and cottonwood fluff and seeds in spring. Guards that fasten down reduce clogs and resist wind. Trimming limbs back from the roof reduces storm damage. See are gutter guards worth it?

Timing

Late summer and early fall are the best time for gutter work in central Iowa, before leaves and snow. After major storms, installers are booked for weeks; compare written estimates and verify registration before signing.

Typical costs in Des Moines

These are published cost figures for orientation only, not quotes. City averages include smaller jobs such as partial runs; a full seamless system on a large or two-story home usually lands at the upper end of the range or above. The installer you are connected with measures your home and gives you the actual price.

We did not find a reliable published average for Des Moines. Compare Omaha and Minneapolis, and our cost guide.

Iowa contractor registration

Iowa requires contractors who earn $2,000 or more a year from construction work to register with the state (the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing). Registration is not a license, but unregistered contractors are operating illegally and may not be able to enforce their contracts. Verify registration before signing, ask for proof of insurance and a written contract, and after storms be cautious with out-of-state crews. Des Moines and suburbs may require permits for some exterior work.

Choosing gutters and guards for a Des Moines home

• Strong hangers and straps for wind: gutter hangers explained.
• Heavier gauge for hail and snow: gutter materials compared.
• Extensions away from basements: downspouts and drainage.
• Guards that fasten down: gutter guards.

Independent installers take calls from across central Iowa, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, Waukee, Grimes, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Norwalk, Indianola, Carlisle, Adel, Ames, Newton and Pella.

Sources

• WeAreIowa: Des Moines climate normals (1991–2020)
• NPR/KUNC: Iowa derecho was the most costly thunderstorm event in modern U.S. history
• Iowa DIAL: Contractor registration
• University of Minnesota Extension: Dealing with and preventing ice dams
• HomeGuide: Seamless gutters cost
• Angi: How much do gutter guards cost?