What is it that makes Iowa homeowners particularly concerned about gutter maintenance? One obvious answer is Midwest weather. In Iowa, seasonal storms cause water damage to people’s property on a semi-regular basis. That’s why waterproofing and foundation repair are popular services, after all. But a more fundamental concern is gutter cleaning and repair.

Many local companies specialize in keeping the rainwater from pooling around your home and causing a wide variety of problems. So many, in fact, that it’s not always easy to choose. Here’s a quick overview of the qualities that a typical homeowner in Iowa is looking for when hiring gutter maintenance specialists.

Wealth of Experience

This one should be obvious. Hiring a company that has been in the same business for decades is just common sense. Yes, some startups out there are run by perfectly competent and hardworking professionals, but people trust established brands for a reason. A homeowner in Iowa would rely on the same gutter specialist that his grandfather used rather than risk an improper installation by hiring someone new. There’s no substitute for a lasting reputation.

Comprehensive Service

Of course, homeowners might have more pressing concerns than gutter cleaning and repair. If your basement walls are already bowing, you need a solution for that structural issue first. Only then will you look at getting the gutters fixed so it wouldn’t reoccur. Still, these problems are all too often related. If your chosen professionals can repair your gutters *and* any water damage that your sidings have already suffered, it makes perfect sense to choose that route.

Reputation and Relationships

We’ve mentioned reputation before, but there’s more to it than just having experience in the field. Homeowners look for contractors locally, not just because of logistics but also because it’s just easier to trust someone you know has done work in the same area already. Perhaps your neighbor knows a gutter repair company; maybe you have a friend or cousin working in one? Word of mouth goes a long way, especially in small towns and close-knit communities. It pays for a company to build solid relationships at a given locale, using trust as a foundation.

So how do you make the call when hiring someone for gutter maintenance? Which of the characteristics outlined above do you prioritize? Ultimately, that’s a question only you can answer. All we can do is enumerate the qualities that our customers seem to value, then gently push you in the right direction.

In the business since 1948, Tomlinson Cannon provides professional gutter cleaning and repair across Eastern Iowa. We also offer mud jacking, foundation repair, and many other services. Contact us today for details.