A useful strata gutter-cleaning quote identifies the buildings and roof sections covered, how access will be arranged, what downpipe work is included, how debris will be removed and what completion evidence will be supplied. Give each provider the same information. A cheap total for an unclear scope is difficult for a committee to compare with a quote that covers the agreed work.
Agree which gutters the enquiry covers
Start with the building or complex address and a marked-up plan, if one is available. List the blocks, storeys and roof sections involved. Include separate garages, shared walkways, concealed sections and any areas outside the proposed clean so the scope is not left to assumption.
Confirm the relevant common-property boundaries and the person authorised to arrange the work through the strata manager or committee. Do not assume every roof-related component belongs to the same party. The NSW strata living guide is a starting point for the scheme’s roles, property and maintenance arrangements; the scheme’s own records and approvals still matter.
Describe access before comparing prices
Tell the provider about the tallest and lowest roof sections, sloping ground, locked gates, parking restrictions and any access through a lot. Include the building contact and any restrictions on when work can take place.
Ask the provider to explain how access will be assessed and which arrangements the quote assumes. If equipment, permits or an alternative access method might need assessment, the quote should make those assumptions clear. Do not assume that a residential storey-based form estimate is the price for a whole strata complex.
For context, SafeWork NSW’s ladder guidance distinguishes suitable short-duration ladder tasks from situations where other access equipment should be considered. This checklist does not replace a contractor’s site-specific access assessment.
Ask each provider to describe the same deliverables
| Part of the job | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Roof sections | Which buildings, gutter runs and valleys are included? |
| Downpipes | Which checks or flushing are included, and what is excluded below ground? |
| Debris | Will it be bagged and removed from the site? |
| Evidence | Will photos identify the work on the agreed buildings? |
| Restricted sections | How will an inaccessible or unsafe area be reported? |
| Defects | Are repairs excluded, separately quoted or subject to approval? |
TGG offers strata gutter cleaning and commercial gutter cleaning. Before-and-after photos, debris removal and the agreed downpipe work should be described in the scope, rather than inferred from a service title.
Coordinate residents and access through one contact
Nominate one person to confirm the booking, handle access questions and receive the report. If residents need to move vehicles or provide access, agree who will communicate that and when. Tell the cleaner about any building rules or contractor documentation the scheme requires before the visit.
Keep the booking process separate from the authority to approve extra work. If an issue is found, identify who can approve a separate repair quote and how that approval will be recorded. NSW guidance on strata meetings explains that committee decision-making depends on the authority delegated by the owners corporation. Do not treat this checklist as permission to bypass the scheme’s process.
Make the report useful for the next decision
Ask for the report to correspond to the agreed buildings or sections. If something could not be reached, it should be identified rather than left looking like completed work. Keep photographs and the scope with the relevant quote and invoice records.
A clean and a repair are different outcomes. If the report identifies a recurring leak or a damaged section, arrange the next assessment on its own merits. Our overflowing-gutter guide explains why debris, joint leaks and below-ground drainage should not be treated as one problem.
For the next maintenance discussion, use the actual findings, tree cover and building requirements rather than assuming every complex needs the same interval. TGG can discuss a suitable scope and schedule when quoting. If the enquiry is specifically about downpipes, include that in the commercial downpipe-cleaning request.
Common questions
Can I use the house gutter-cleaning range for a strata block?
No. A strata enquiry needs its own scope covering the buildings, height, access and work requested. Residential form ranges are not a price for a whole complex.
Should gutter repairs be included automatically?
Clarify this before booking. A cleaning quote should distinguish any separately quoted repair work and identify who can approve it.
What should the committee receive after the clean?
Agree the reporting beforehand: the completed scope, useful photos, any access limitations and any issues requiring a separate decision.