Not necessarily. If your gutter project doesn’t include sections longer than 16 feet, you can often use off-the-shelf components purchased at a home center. However, longer sections will require unions, corners, and hangers, which add up.
Professional gutter companies often charge upwards of $10.00 per linear foot to install a gutter system, but these systems are often warranted for as long as you own the home. Over time, the cost of professional gutter installation is comparable to doing the job yourself when you consider the maintenance and repairs required for do-it-yourself gutter systems.