When you're comparing gutter guard quotes, it's easy to look at the bottom line and pick the cheapest. But one of the most common reasons a gutter guard job doesn't work as well as it should has nothing to do with the mesh. It's that the roof valleys were never part of the quote.
What is a roof valley?
A roof valley is the channel where two sloping sections of roof meet, usually forming an inside corner on L-shaped or more complex roofs. On a tiled roof it's typically a metal valley iron running between the tiles. On a metal roof it's a formed valley flashing.
Valleys do a big job. They collect the rain and leaves from two roof planes and funnel them into one point — the corner of the gutter where the valley ends.
Why valleys are where gutters block first
Because a valley gathers debris from two sides of the roof, leaves, bark and seed pods build up there faster than anywhere else. On the South Coast, with gum trees overhanging so many homes, that build-up can happen quickly.
When a valley clogs, you'll often see:
- The gutter overflowing at one corner, even when the rest of the gutter looks fine
- Water backing up under tiles or roof sheeting at the base of the valley
- Wet leaf litter sitting in the valley and breaking down
- Dry leaves collecting there in summer, which is fuel sitting right on your roof line during bushfire season
What happens when a quote leaves the valleys out
Some gutter guard quotes are priced on gutter length alone — measured from the ground, worked out from a plan, or given over the phone. The gutters get covered, but the valleys don't.
The result? The gutters stay clear, but the valleys keep filling up and dumping leaves onto the corner of the guard, or blocking at the base. You've paid for gutter guard and you're still getting on the ladder.
It's not always about cutting corners. Valleys simply can't be properly measured or assessed without someone getting up and looking at the roof.
What a professional gutter guard quote should cover
Before you sign anything, check your quote covers:
- Every gutter run, measured on site
- Every roof valley, measured and included in the price
- Your roof type (tile, Colorbond, corrugated, Kliploc or Trimdek) and the right trims and fixings to suit it
- The mesh being used — aluminium, stainless steel or standard — and why it suits your roof
- A gutter clean before installation, so nothing is trapped under the new guard
- Whether your home needs bushfire-rated ember mesh
- The condition of your existing gutters — gutter guard shouldn't go over gutters that are badly rusted or sagging
- A fixed price in writing
- Warranty details in writing
Questions to ask when comparing quotes
- Did someone get up on the roof and measure it?
- Are the valleys included, or just the gutters?
- What mesh is being used, and what does it cost to upgrade?
- Is the gutter clean included or extra?
- Who will actually do the installation?
If two quotes are hundreds of dollars apart, the answers to these questions usually explain why.
How Coast Flow quotes gutter guard
Keith comes out, measures every gutter run, checks your roof profile, valleys and tree cover, and gives you one fixed price in writing. There's no callout fee. Every gutter guard and ember guard install starts with a full gutter clean and flush, included in your price. Warranty coverage, conditions and exclusions are provided in writing with your quote.
As a guide, most single-storey homes are $2,100–$3,500 fully installed. Two-storey and larger homes are quoted on site.
Questions we get asked
Do I need gutter guard on my valleys?
If your roof has valleys and trees nearby, it's usually worth it. Valleys collect debris from two roof planes, so they're often the first place to block. Keith will tell you on site whether yours need it.
Can valley mesh help with bushfire protection?
Valleys can collect dry leaves, which is fuel on your roof line. Metal ember mesh can be fitted to valleys as well as gutters. BAL-rated, AS 3959-compliant options are available where your home requires them.
Why is a quote that includes valleys more expensive?
It covers more of the roof and takes more time to fit properly — mesh has to be shaped to follow the valley and fixed so nothing gets trapped underneath. It's usually the difference between a job that keeps working and one that doesn't.