Welcome back to Niche Riches, your weekly dose of real businesses and side hustles that put extra money in your pocket.

This week, we’re talking about one that is dirty, overlooked, and quietly profitable: Gutter Cleaning.

Nobody wakes up excited to clean their gutters. That is exactly why this business works.

Clogged gutters cause leaks, rot fascia boards, flood landscaping, and lead to expensive repairs. Homeowners know this, but they still put it off. When the leaves pile up or water starts spilling over the edge, they are suddenly very motivated to pay someone else to handle it.

This side hustle lives in that sweet spot where the work is simple, demand is constant, and competition is often unprofessional. With a ladder, a few basic tools, and a willingness to get a little messy, this can turn from a weekend job into a reliable local business faster than most people expect.

Let’s run some straightforward numbers to set expectations.

Goal: $2,500 per month
Clean twenty five homes at $100 each. That is roughly six or seven jobs per week.

Goal: $5,000 per month
Fifty homes per month at $100 each or fewer homes if you charge more for larger properties. This is very achievable during peak seasons.

Goal: $8,000 or more per month
Add a helper, raise prices, and stack add-ons. Two crews working part time during fall can push this well into full-time income territory.

If you are ready to get your hands dirty, here is how to start.

Search “gutter cleaning near me” on Google Maps and Facebook. Look at pricing, reviews, and how professional the businesses appear. Many markets are filled with underpriced, inconsistent operators.

If listings look outdated, poorly branded, or unclear, that is your opening. Homeowners will gladly pay more for someone who shows up on time and communicates clearly.

You can start simple or gear up as you go.

Option 1: The Basic Setup
A sturdy ladder, work gloves, bucket, scoop, hose or blower, and eye protection will handle your first jobs. Most homeowners are fine with you using their water. Focus on safety, speed, and doing clean work.

Option 2: The Pro Setup
As you grow, upgrade to ladder stabilizers, leaf blowers, gutter vacuums, branded shirts, and a more efficient system. A clean, professional setup builds trust instantly and allows you to work faster.

Avoid hourly pricing. Homeowners want certainty.

Small home: $75 to $125
Medium home: $125 to $175
Large or two story home: $175 to $300

Add-ons like downspout flushing, roof debris removal, or gutter guards should be priced separately.

Simple pricing closes deals.

Offer your service to neighbors, friends, and family first. Treat these jobs seriously. Take before and after photos and ask for short reviews. Those reviews matter more than anything early on.

Post in local Facebook groups with clear language like “Local gutter cleaning service now scheduling spring cleanings.” This works extremely well, especially before storm season.

Leave door hangers or flyers in neighborhoods with mature trees. Homeowners in those areas already know they need this service.

This is where gutter cleaning really shines.

Offer seasonal plans. One cleaning in the spring and one in the fall at a slight discount. Many homeowners will happily sign up just to avoid thinking about it again.

Send reminder texts or emails when seasons change. People appreciate the follow-up and often book immediately.

Most low-barrier-of-entry service businesses lose here.

Show up when you say you will. Communicate clearly. Take photos of the cleaned gutters and downspouts. Clean up the debris instead of leaving it in the yard.

Wear clean clothes. Be respectful of landscaping. Small details like this separate a side hustle from a real business.

Before you leave, walk the homeowner through what you did. Show them the cleared gutters or photos if they are not home. That transparency builds trust and referrals.

Happy homeowners talk to neighbors. Ask them to share your number or leave a review. Offer a referral discount or a small cash reward.

Gutter cleaning spreads quickly through neighborhoods.

Keep track of each job. Time spent, price charged, and add-ons sold. You will quickly see which homes are most profitable.

Once your schedule fills, raise prices and bring on help. Eventually, you can expand into pressure washing, window cleaning, or roof soft washing to create a bundled exterior service business.

This is one of those businesses that makes a lot of sense, even if it is not for me personally.

From a pure opportunity standpoint, gutter cleaning checks a lot of boxes. The problem is obvious, the demand already exists, and homeowners do not need to be educated on why it matters. They already know. They just do not want to deal with it themselves.

For the right person, especially someone comfortable with ladders and working at height, this can be a fast, practical way to start earning money. The barrier to entry is low, the service is simple to explain, and you do not need weeks of setup or training to get going.

What stands out to me is how quickly this could be up and running. You are not building software, waiting on inventory, or learning a complicated system. You can get the basic tools, set clear pricing, and realistically land your first paying job within days. That kind of speed matters when someone wants momentum.

I am personally out because I know myself. I would not enjoy being on ladders or roofs regularly, and that matters. A business might look great on paper, but if you dislike the day to day work, it will not last. That said, just because it is not my thing does not mean it is not a strong option.

What I do like is how lean and flexible this model is. You can test it without a big commitment. Try it for a season. Run it on weekends. Use it to build cash flow while you figure out your next move. If it clicks, you can expand. If it does not, you have not sunk a ton of time or money.

That is the real value here. This is not necessarily a forever business. It is a fast, agile way to get something off the ground, learn how to sell a service, and put money in your pocket quickly. For someone just getting started or looking to rebuild momentum, that alone makes it worth a serious look.

Come back for the next one! Sign up here for free.

What side hustle should I try or research next? Let me know.