New gutters Edinburgh homeowners can rely on should be correctly sized, properly supported and suited to the property. At Roof Fix Services Limited, we install new gutters, new downpipes and complete replacement runs across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.
We are a family-run business with 22 years of hands-on experience. Every job is handled by our own in-house team under a strict no-subcontractor guarantee. We provide clear written recommendations, free photographic roof reports, before-and-after photographic proof and fair pricing without hard sales.
Our work is carried out by a qualified team with an SVQ Level 3 in Roof Slating, Tiling and Cement Work, SQA Level 7 Advanced Craft Specialist training and the Redland Roofing Systems Shield award.
When gutter replacement is the right option
Not every leaking gutter needs to be removed. Sometimes a localised defect can be dealt with sensibly. However, repeated patching is not a proper long-term solution when the system itself has reached the end of its useful life.
Replacement may be appropriate where we find:
- Rust running through cast iron sections
- Cracked, brittle or distorted uPVC
- Sagging runs caused by failed or widely spaced brackets
- Sections pulling apart at unions and corners
- Corrosion underneath a back gutter
- Leaks returning every winter despite previous work
- Gutters overflowing after cleaning because the capacity or fall is wrong
- Downpipes that are undersized, damaged or discharging incorrectly
A system can look reasonable from the ground while the back edge is corroding against the fascia or wallhead. This is common on older Edinburgh properties, where the gutter sits close to traditional masonry.
For isolated blockages or localised defects, see our pages on gutter cleaning Edinburgh and gutter repairs Edinburgh. This page is specifically about installation and full replacement.
Why failed gutters damage homes
Guttering is part of the building’s weather protection. When it fails, water can run behind the fascia, into the wallhead or down the face of the property.
Across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, that can lead to:
- Damp patches around upper walls and ceilings
- Blown render and damaged coatings
- Wet stonework and staining beneath the eaves
- Saturated pointing, including lime mortar pointing on older buildings
- Rot in fascias, soffits and bargeboards
- Water collecting beside foundations
- Slippery paths and damaged driveways
- Internal staining after prolonged exposure
Edinburgh’s driving rain and east-coast exposure place particular pressure on roofline drainage. Properties in Leith, Musselburgh, Portobello and Dunbar can also face salt air and wind-driven rain from the Forth.
Mature trees bring another local issue. Homes around Morningside, Bruntsfield, Corstorphine and Colinton may experience heavier leaf loading, but repeated overflow can still indicate a design or capacity problem rather than just a need for more frequent clearing.
Choosing the right gutter material
There is no single material that suits every property. We compare the options honestly rather than automatically recommending the cheapest system.
Cast iron is traditional, long-lived and often the correct choice for period properties. It is heavier and more expensive to install, but it should not simply be dismissed as unsuitable. New cast iron can preserve the character of a Georgian, Victorian or New Town property when the original profile is matched accurately.
uPVC is usually the most economical option for modern homes and straightforward replacement work. It is lightweight, practical and available in common half-round, ogee, square and deepflow profiles. It does expand and contract with temperature, so the correct jointing and allowance for movement matter.
Aluminium is lightweight, rigid and corrosion-resistant, with a good service life. It sits between uPVC and cast iron in many installations and can provide a clean, period-sympathetic finish without the weight of traditional metalwork.
Seamless aluminium or steel systems reduce the number of joints along long elevations. Fewer joints mean fewer potential failure points, which can be useful on exposed elevations and larger rooflines.
On older stone terraces in Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Lasswade, Haddington and North Berwick, the replacement has to look correct against the traditional facade. We can replace a rusting cast iron run with a seamless system that follows the lines of the property and gives a more continuous finish where that is appropriate.
Profiles, capacity, fall and bracket spacing
A properly installed system is more than a length of gutter fixed below the roof edge. We assess the roof area, pitch, outlets, downpipes and discharge route before recommending a specification.
Common profiles include:
- Half-round: a simple, widely used domestic profile
- Ogee: more decorative and often suitable for traditional properties
- Box gutter: useful where a larger or more angular profile is required
- Deepflow: designed for higher capacity on suitable roof areas
The gutter needs a continuous fall towards the outlet. If the fall is too shallow, water sits in the channel. If it is uneven, one section may overflow while another remains dry.
Bracket spacing, support at corners and fixing points around outlets also need to suit the selected manufacturer’s system. Exposed elevations may require closer support than a sheltered elevation. We also allow for thermal movement, particularly with uPVC and longer runs.
The aim is straightforward: water should enter the gutter, move efficiently towards the outlet and travel through the downpipe without spilling over the front or backing up against the wallhead.
Downpipes and proper drainage
New gutters are only as effective as the downpipes beneath them. During replacement work, we check:
- Downpipe size and condition
- The position of outlets and hoppers
- The condition of the shoe
- The connection to the surface water system
- Whether water is being discharged safely away from the building
- Whether the existing drain or soakaway arrangement is suitable
A downpipe discharging directly onto a path is a defect, not a completed drainage solution. It can create standing water, staining, icing in winter and damp around the base of the property.
Where possible, we connect the renewed downpipe properly into the surface water system. If the existing arrangement is unclear or defective, we explain the issue and price any additional work separately.
Fascias, soffits and bargeboards
Removing old guttering can reveal rotten timber that was hidden behind the back edge. Fascias, soffits and bargeboards need to provide sound support for the new system.
We do not hide this type of discovery inside a vague price. If timber is found to be defective, we photograph it, explain what is required and price the additional work separately before proceeding.
The same approach applies where adjacent masonry, flashing or pointing needs attention. Our recommendations are clear, and no extra work is carried out without confirmation.
For wider roofline concerns, you can also see our roofers Edinburgh and roof repair Edinburgh guides.
Access, safety and disruption
Gutters are often positioned at height, so safe access may require ladders, a tower or scaffolding. We plan access around the building, roof pitch, working height, wind exposure and the protection of gardens, paths and driveways.
Physical access work is a billable trade service. A free roof health check is a visual assessment from ground level or from a ladder where it is safe to do so. Climbing onto the roof or carrying out a hands-on inspection is chargeable.
Rope Safety / Roof Access is used strictly on the roof slope for safety and is not a wall-access service.
A typical house may take one or two days, depending on the length of the runs, material, access and any fascia or soffit work. Weather and wind can affect the programme, particularly on exposed elevations.
Our team uses a zero-mess approach. We protect the working area, remove the old system and clear away waste rather than leaving broken guttering and fixings around the property.
Pricing Transparency
Our fixed 2026 guide prices are:
- Small house repairs up to two storeys: from £85 + VAT + materials
- Rope Safety / Roof Access: £240 + VAT + materials
- Scaffolding tower: £500 + VAT upwards
- Scaffolding: £500 + VAT upwards, depending on building height
- Emergency roofing callouts: £150 + VAT, charged upfront
Rope Safety / Roof Access is used strictly on the roof slope for safety and is not a wall-access service.
A full gutter replacement is priced individually after inspection and fixed in writing.
These are guide prices and any additional charges will be given and confirmed before any work starts.
Our service area and approach
We work on houses, villas, colonies, mews and commercial properties across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.
We do not take on city centre tenement blocks. If your property falls outside the type of work we undertake, we are happy to recommend a trusted specialist who may be able to help.
Our family-run approach means:
- No subcontractors: every job is handled by our own team
- Free photographic roof reports
- Clear written recommendations
- Fixed pricing before work starts
- Before-and-after photographic proof
- No hard sales
- A friendly, frictionless process from inspection to completion
We are a certified Edinburgh Trusted Trader with a 4.9/5 rating from 365 verified Trusted Trader reviews.
For customers in the wider Lothians, see our pages for roofers East Lothian, roofer Midlothian and roofer in Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith. We also cover related roofline and stack work, including free roof inspection Edinburgh and chimney rendering Edinburgh.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gutter replacement cost?
It depends on the material, profile, length of the runs, number of downpipes, access and the condition of the supporting timber. A full replacement is inspected and priced individually, then fixed in writing before work starts.
How long does installation take?
A typical house usually takes one or two days. Larger properties, difficult access, additional fascia work or poor weather can extend the programme.
Can you match my existing cast iron gutters?
We can assess the original profile and discuss like-for-like cast iron, heritage-profile aluminium or a suitable seamless alternative. Matching the appearance and proportions is important on period properties.
Do you replace downpipes at the same time?
Yes. We can renew downpipes, shoes, outlets and connections as part of the replacement. We also check where the water discharges and whether it reaches the surface water system properly.
Will you need scaffolding?
Not always. Ladders or a scaffolding tower may be suitable for some properties, while longer, higher or more exposed work may require full scaffolding. Access is assessed before the price is confirmed.
Will you clear the old system away?
Yes. Removing the old guttering and clearing the work area is included in our planned installation process. Any unusual disposal requirement would be explained before work starts.
Arrange your gutter replacement inspection
If your gutters are rusting, pulling apart, overflowing or repeatedly leaking, contact our team for a clear assessment rather than another temporary patch.
We can provide a free photographic roof report, explain whether replacement is justified and set out the options in writing.
Call 0800 772 3259 or use the 24/7 online booking portal at rooffixservices.co.uk for the quickest response. Phone lines can be very busy during heavy rain and winter weather, so the portal is the best way to skip the queue.
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