From peeling paint to flooding the basement, a broken gutter can wreak all kinds of havoc in your home. If you don't want your leaking gutter ruining your sanity, then act quickly. The first step to bring the situation under control is hiring an expert, and we don't mean you. No matter how much of an expert you think you are in plumbing, there are still certain jobs that are best left to a professional. Here is a 5-point checklist you can use to hire a reliable gutter installer.

Educate Yourself

Before you go ahead and hire the first gutter installer you come across, you need to educate yourself about the intricacies involved. Know what kind of materials gutters are available in, their pros and cons, and if it is a good fit for your home. Other things you need to update yourself on are the method of installation and the difference between sectional and seamless gutters. Do a quick search on the internet, consult with your local supplier or just ask your friend; whatever suits you best. Having at least some basic knowledge can help you have a productive discussion with the gutter installer.

Shortlist Installers

One foolproof way to find reliable installers is through personal referrals. However, don't just make the decision based on a friend's recommendation; you need to see yourself if the installer is worth your time and consideration. Inquire with the installers regarding the level of experience they have in the field, their qualification and their past work. Cross check with the references given. Go through the company's reviews online. All this should give you some semblance of understanding whether the installer is worth your time at all.

Interview

Once you have shortlisted the potential installers, the next step is interview process. Some important questions you need to ask the installer first hand include:

Inquire the level of experience they have in the field.

Whether the company is insured or not?

What kind of warranty they offer?

Don't forget to ask for quotes and compare them with other potential companies.

These basic questions will give you some level of clarity as to what to expect from the company.

Insurance

Whatever you do, never hire a gutter installer without proper insurance in place. And this rule is not just applicable for gutter installers; from plumbers to electricians, you have to remember this one point for just about any service. Accidents happen and no matter how careful you are things can still go kaput. With insurance, you can at least be sure that your interest is protected to some extent, even if only monetarily.

Written Document

The last, but the most important, rule is to draw a contract before getting started with the work. Go through every single clause point by point. And when in doubt, don't hesitate to ask. You cannot take any chances here; you need to be aware of every miniscule detail mentioned in the contract.

Little bit of research on your side can go a long way in getting the value for the money invested.