What a gutter cleaner's costs look like
The general rules are in expenses you can claim: you can deduct costs that are wholly and exclusively for the business. This page covers what that means in gutter cleaning.
| Example running cost | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability insurance | £25 | £300 |
| Van, fuel and servicing | £200 | £2,400 |
| Gutter-vacuum kit repayments | £60 | £720 |
| Rounds software | £35 | £420 |
| Advertising | £50 | £600 |
| Total | £370 | £4,440 |
The kit you'll claim for
Most small traders on the cash basis can deduct the cost of equipment in the year they pay for it. Cars are treated differently. Typical items:
- Gutter-vacuum pole and vacuum unit: Cleans from the ground and can include a camera, the main investment
- Ladders or a small access tower: For jobs the pole can't reach safely
- Gloves, eye protection and a dust mask: Gutter muck is not pleasant
- Bags and a way to take the debris with you: See the waste rules below
- A van: Kit is long and awkward to carry
Running costs to keep receipts for
- Collection bags
- Pole attachments and brushes
- Vacuum filters
- Fuel
- Camera batteries
Easy to forget in gutter cleaning
- Camera and replacement vacuum parts
- Waste disposal costs
- Protective clothing, gloves and masks
- Photo-report software or storage
Vehicle costs
Most gutter cleaners claim either a flat rate per mile (55p for the first 10,000 business miles in 2026-27, then 25p) or the actual running costs of the vehicle, but not both on the same vehicle. Compare them over a year before you choose, because once you use the flat rate for a vehicle you must stick to it. The details are in expenses you can claim.
Keep records as you go
Photograph each receipt on the day and file it under the right heading. Your accountant, or HMRC if they ask, will want to see the receipt behind every figure.
Run your gutter cleaning in WorkWise
Remember next autumn: A customer list with each customer's next visit date and a reminder text before it's due.