When we budget for a new roof, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: do gutters come with roof replacement or is that a separate project (and cost)? The honest answer is: it depends. Some roofing jobs include new gutters: many don’t. And if we don’t clarify this upfront, we can end up with surprise expenses or a beautiful new roof draining into failing, leaky gutters.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how roofing systems actually work, why gutters matter more than most of us realize, how to tell if our gutters should be replaced along with the roof, and how to have clear conversations with roofing contractors so we know exactly what we’re paying for.

Introduction to Roofing Systems

When we talk about a “roof replacement,” a lot of us picture just the old shingles being torn off and new ones installed. In reality, a modern roofing system is a layered collection of parts designed to keep water out and direct it safely away from our home.

What’s actually included in a typical roof replacement?

Most full roof replacement projects usually cover:

  • Tear-off of the existing roof material – old shingles, underlayment, flashings, and sometimes old vents.
  • Roof deck inspection and repairs – checking the wood sheathing for rot, soft spots, or damage and replacing as needed after the existing roof is removed.
  • Underlayment and moisture barriers – synthetic felt, ice-and-water shield in vulnerable areas (eaves, valleys, around penetrations).
  • New roofing materials – asphalt shingles, metal panels, tile, or another roofing product.
  • Flashing and ventilation – step flashing, chimney flashing, pipe boots, ridge vents, or box vents.

The existing roof may hide damage to the roof structure, so a thorough roof inspection is key.

What’s often not automatically included:

  • Gutters and downspouts
  • Fascia and soffit work
  • Skylight replacement (beyond re-flashing)
  • Insulation upgrades in the attic

That’s why the question “Do gutters come with roof replacement?” usually has a very practical answer: only if it’s spelled out in the proposal. Roofing systems and gutter systems work together, but they’re usually priced as separate line items.

How the Roof and Gutter System Work Together

We can think of our roof as the umbrella and our gutters as the drainage system. The roof’s job is to shed water: the gutter’s job is to collect and direct that water safely away from our foundation, siding, and landscaping.

Here’s how they interact:

  • Water runs down the roof surface and hits the drip edge, a metal piece along the roof edges.
  • Properly installed gutters sit just under that drip edge so water flows directly into the gutter trough.
  • Downspouts carry the water down and away from the house, often with extensions or underground drains.

If the roof is replaced but the gutters are old, misaligned, or sagging, we can end up with:

  • Water running behind the gutters and rotting fascia boards
  • Water overflowing and pooling near the foundation, causing damage
  • Stains and damage to siding or brick

So while gutters might not be automatically included in a roof replacement contract, they’re absolutely part of the overall weather protection system.

Why Gutters and Roofing Are Often Separate Line Items

There are a few practical reasons contractors separate roofing and gutters:

  • Different specialties – Many roofing companies focus solely on roofing and sub out gutter work to gutter companies or an in house gutter division that provides gutter services.
  • Different materials and pricing – Gutter materials (aluminum gutters, steel, copper gutters) and sizes (5-inch, 6-inch, half-round, etc.) require their own measurement and estimate. Vinyl gutters are another option.
  • Not every home needs both at once – Sometimes the roof has failed but the gutters are fairly new or in good shape, or vice versa.

For us as homeowners, the takeaway is straightforward: we shouldn’t assume gutters are included just because we’re doing a roof replacement. We need to verify it, and decide whether combining the two projects makes sense for our situation. Many homeowners choose to upgrade to a different style when replacing gutters.

Understanding Gutters and Their Importance

If we’re asking whether gutters are included in roof replacement, it’s usually because we’re unsure how critical they actually are. It’s easy to overlook gutters until something goes visibly wrong, like water pouring over the edge during a storm.

What gutters actually do for our home

Gutters are a water management system. Their main jobs are to:

  • Catch rainwater as it leaves the roof edge
  • Channel that water along the roof line
  • Send it down through downspouts and away from the foundation

Done right, that simple process protects several key parts of the house:

  • Foundation – Reduces soil erosion and hydrostatic pressure that can crack foundations or cause basement leaks.
  • Siding and trim – Prevents constant water exposure that leads to peeling paint, wood rot, or mold, avoiding damaging the home’s exterior.
  • Landscaping – Keeps mulch beds, walkways, and flower beds from being washed out.
  • Walkways and entries – Helps reduce ice buildup where water would otherwise drip and freeze.

Signs our gutters are pulling their weight

Well-functioning gutters are almost invisible during a storm. We don’t see waterfalls from the eaves, overflowing corners, or sheets of water pouring next to the foundation.

Signs gutters are doing their job:

  • Water stays inside the gutters even during heavy rain
  • Downspouts discharge water several feet from the foundation
  • No regular puddles forming near the house
  • Fascia and soffits look solid and stain-free

If our roof is being replaced and we see the opposite, overflow, sagging, stains, it’s a strong hint we should talk about replacing the gutters at the same time.

Why Gutter Condition Matters When Installing a New Roof

Even if gutters aren’t automatically included in a roof replacement, their condition affects how well that new roof will perform.

Poor gutters can:

  • Compromise fascia and roof edge – Water running behind clogged or misaligned gutters can rot fascia boards, undermining the new drip edge and shingles near the eave.
  • Void or complicate warranties – In some cases, standing water issues or moisture damage tied to drainage problems can make warranty claims more complicated.
  • Create ice dams – In colder climates, improper drainage and clogged gutters can contribute to ice buildup, which then backs water under shingles.

In other words, if we’re investing thousands in a new roof, we want the drainage system that supports it to be up to par. Sometimes that means pairing roof replacement with gutter replacement for a comprehensive fix.

Are There Cases Where We Shouldn’t Replace Gutters With the Roof?

Yes. If our gutters are relatively new, properly sized, and functioning well in good condition, it may make sense to:

  • Keep the existing gutters in place
  • Have the roofer carefully detach and reset them as needed
  • Replace only damaged sections or add an extra downspout or two

This is where a solid evaluation of gutter condition becomes crucial, before we sign a roof replacement contract.

Evaluating Gutter Condition

To decide whether gutters should be part of the roof replacement scope, we need to objectively look at their current state. We don’t have to become experts overnight, but a simple checklist goes a long way.

Visual checks we can do ourselves

Before or while we’re getting roof replacement estimates, we can walk around the house and look for:

  1. Sagging or pulling away
    • Gaps between gutter and fascia
    • Visible drooping sections
  2. Seams and joints
    • Drips or streaks at corners or where sections meet
    • Evidence of past patching or sealant that’s cracking
  3. Rust, corrosion, or peeling paint
    • Bubbling paint on gutters or fascia
    • Orange-brown rust spots on steel gutters
  4. Physical damage
    • Dents from ladders or branches
    • Cracks in vinyl gutters
    • Crushed downspouts
  5. Overflow evidence
    • Vertical dirt lines on the outside of gutters
    • Washed-out mulch or soil directly under the eaves
    • Water stains on siding just below the gutter line

If we see several of these issues, it’s a signal that we should be talking about gutter work right alongside the new roof.

Performance checks during a storm

If we can safely look during a rainstorm (from inside or from a covered area):

  • Do we see water shooting over the top of the gutters?
  • Are downspouts actually discharging a steady stream of water?
  • Are certain corners or sections consistently overflowing?

Problems in just one or two spots might be fixable with cleaning or minor repairs. Multiple issues around the house often point to undersized, worn-out, or poorly pitched gutters that are good candidates for replacement.

When gutters absolutely should be replaced with the roof

From a practical and cost-effective standpoint, we’ll usually want to include gutters in the roof replacement if:

  • They’re older than 20–25 years (for typical aluminum systems)
  • There’s widespread sagging, rust, or seam failure
  • Our home has had recurring foundation or basement moisture issues
  • The roofline or fascia is being modified, re-sheeted, or extensively repaired
  • We’re upgrading to a different roof style or material that changes the water runoff pattern

In these cases, we’re already investing in major exterior work. Combining gutter replacement with roof replacement helps ensure everything is aligned, literally and figuratively.

Pros and Cons of Replacing Gutters at the Same Time as the Roof

Pros:

  • Better integration – Drip edge, flashing, and gutters can be installed to work together from day one.
  • Less risk of damage – Old gutters often need to be removed or loosened for roofing work: if they’re fragile, they may not survive.
  • Cost efficiency – One mobilization, one crew (or coordinated crews), and often better pricing when bundling services.
  • Cleaner appearance – A new roof with old, beat-up gutters never looks quite finished.

Cons:

  • Higher immediate cost – Adding gutters can increase the project price by a noticeable amount, depending on house size and material choices.
  • Timing – If our gutters are fairly new, replacing them early may not be the best use of money.

Weighing these factors helps us answer the real-world version of the original question. Not just “are gutters included in roof replacement,” but “should we include gutters in our roof replacement?”

Working with Roofing Contractors

Now we get to the part that can save us the most headaches: communicating clearly with the contractor. The fastest way to avoid surprises is to make sure we and our roofer are on the same page from the first conversation.

Ask directly: are gutters included in your roof replacement proposal?

We shouldn’t assume anything. When we request estimates, we can be explicit:

“Can you please clarify whether your roof replacement proposal includes gutter and downspout replacement, gutter repairs, or just roofing work?”

If gutters are included, the written estimate should spell out:

  • Linear foot of new gutters
  • Gutter material and style (e.g., 5″ or 6″ seamless aluminum, K-style, or half-round)
  • Number and size of downspouts
  • Any gutter guards or leaf protection

If gutters are not included, that should also be clear, ideally with a note like “Gutters and downspouts excluded from this proposal.”

How to Compare Bids When Some Include Gutters and Others Don’t

It’s common to get one bid that bundles roofing and gutters together and another that only covers the roof. To compare apples to apples, we can:

  1. Separate roofing and gutter costs

    Ask the contractor to break out line items so we can see the roof price and the gutter price individually.

  2. Check gutter specs

    Make sure we know the gutter size (5″ vs. 6″), thickness (e.g., .027 vs .032 aluminum), and style. Bigger or heavier-duty gutters cost more but may be worth it for larger roofs or heavier rainfall.

  3. Clarify timing and coordination

    If different companies are handling roof and gutters, ask who’s responsible for scheduling and ensuring the sequence makes sense.

This level of detail helps us avoid the trap of picking a “cheaper” bid that silently left out a whole system we assumed was included.

Questions We Should Ask About Gutters During Roof Replacement Planning

Here are useful questions to bring up when we meet with roofers:

  • “Do you recommend replacing my gutters along with the roof? Why or why not?”
  • “If we keep the existing gutters, will you need to remove or loosen them during the roof work?”
  • “If the gutters get damaged during the roofing project, who’s responsible for repairs?”
  • “Would upsizing to 6″ gutters or adding more downspouts help with water issues we’ve had?”
  • “Can you adjust gutter pitch or add extensions to improve drainage away from the foundation?”

We’re looking for contractors who give clear, thoughtful answers and are willing to walk us through their reasoning.

Coordination Between Roofers and Gutter Installers

If our roofer doesn’t install gutters, we’ll want to coordinate the sequence:

  1. Roof replacement first – The roof deck, underlayment, shingles, and drip edge go in.
  2. Gutter installation second – New gutters are attached to solid fascia and aligned with the new drip edge.

We should confirm:

  • The roofer knows new gutters are coming and will install drip edge accordingly.
  • The gutter installer knows the roof is new and will be careful not to damage shingles or flashing.

Clear communication between both parties protects our investment.

Key Takeaway for Homeowners

So, are gutters included in roof replacement? Usually not by default. But when we:

  • Understand how roofing and gutters work together,
  • Honestly evaluate the condition of our existing gutters, and
  • Ask contractors direct questions and get everything in writing,

we can decide whether to roll gutter replacement into the project or handle it separately.

The goal isn’t just a new roof: it’s a complete water management system that protects our home from top to bottom for years to come. If we treat gutters as part of that bigger system, not an afterthought, we’ll make smarter, more cost-effective decisions when it’s time to replace the roof.