Planning Your Gutter Season: A Material Ordering Calendar
Peak gutter season is April-August, but planning that season starts months earlier. A detailed seasonal calendar tells you when to order, when to bulk buy, when to lock pricing, and how to keep material costs low while staying stocked. Here's a month-by-month guide.
November - Assess and Forecast
What to do:
- Look back at last season: How many jobs did you do? What was your material usage?
- Look at this year's actual volume: Are you busier or slower than last year?
- Forecast next year: How many jobs do you expect April-August?
- Calculate total coil needed: If you did 5,000 feet last season and you're 10% busier, you'll need 5,500 feet
Material actions:
- Review Q4 material spending (November is slow; don't bulk order yet)
- Get quotes from suppliers for typical specs (lock these quotes as you plan)
- Identify any spec changes (new color trend? Different profile?)
Example forecast:
- April-August expected: 18,000 linear feet of coil
- Core specs: 70% standard specs, 20% variation specs, 10% custom
December - Plan Bulk Ordering
What to do:
- Finalize your forecast (any new jobs or changes to expectations?)
- Plan your bulk ordering strategy: Will you order in February (before peak) or stagger orders?
- Set a budget: 18,000 feet × $1.80/foot = $32,400 material cost
- Calculate cash flow: When will you need cash on hand?
Material actions:
- Contact your primary supplier: "Here's our expected volume for next season. Can we plan a bulk order for February delivery?"
- Negotiate pricing: "Can you offer volume pricing on 6,000 feet ordered in February, locked for 90 days?"
- Plan payment terms: "Can we do net-30 payment terms starting in February?"
Example approach:
- Plan bulk order: 6,000 feet in February at $1.70/foot (volume discount) = $10,200
- Monthly fill-in orders: April-August, order 2,000 feet at a time, $1.75/foot average = $17,500
- Total: ~$27,700 vs. $32,400 (project-by-project) = $4,700 savings
January - Confirm and Prepare
What to do:
- Confirm your bulk order with suppliers (lock in delivery date and pricing)
- Make sure you have storage space ready (where will 6,000 feet of coil go?)
- Review your equipment and specs (confirm your machine specs for coil)
- Prep your crew (any new equipment or training needed?)
Material actions:
- Contact suppliers: "Confirming our 6,000-foot order for February delivery. Can we lock pricing at $1.70/foot for 90 days?"
- Get written confirmation of:
- Quantity: 6,000 feet
- Specs: Width, gauge, finish, color
- Price: $1.70/foot, $10,200 total, locked until May 15
- Delivery date: February 20-28
- Payment terms: Net-30 (pay by March 15)
Example dialogue:
You: "We're ordering 6,000 feet for February delivery. Can you lock this at $1.70/foot?"
Supplier: "Yes, valid through May 15. Delivery target February 25. Terms are net-30."
You: "Perfect. We'll send a PO today."
February - Place Bulk Order and Receive
What to do:
- Place your bulk order (send PO to supplier)
- Monitor coil prices (is aluminum moving? Are your quotes still valid?)
- Prepare for Q1 spring work (jobs are starting to come in)
Material actions:
- Place bulk order PO: 6,000 feet, locked at $1.70/foot
- Confirm delivery address, access, and unloading
- Prepare to receive and inspect (verify specs match PO)
Timeline:
- February 1: Send PO
- February 10-20: Supplier manufactures/ships
- February 25: Delivery arrives
- February 28: Verify and sign off
March - Receive and Stock
What to do:
- Receive bulk order and verify it matches PO (right quantity, specs, condition)
- Stock coil in your storage area
- Use coil on early spring jobs as work ramps up
- Begin your busier season (Easter/spring cleanup jobs)
Material actions:
- Start using bulk stock for jobs
- Do NOT place additional orders yet (you have 6,000 feet = 3-4 months of peak season usage)
- Track inventory (how many feet left?)
- Monitor market prices (is aluminum stable? Any trends?)
Inventory check mid-March:
- Started with: 6,000 feet
- Used on March jobs: 800 feet
- Remaining: 5,200 feet
- On track for April peak season
April - Peak Season Starts, Monitor Inventory
What to do:
- Peak season is ramping (most jobs start in April)
- Usage will be heavy (1,500-2,000 feet per week)
- Start thinking about replenishment orders
Material actions:
- Mid-April: Check inventory (should be down to 3,500-4,000 feet if usage is heavy)
- If on track, don't order yet (you have 6-8 weeks of work left in bulk stock)
- Monitor aluminum prices (should be rising as construction season peaks)
- NO RUSH TO ORDER (don't panic order)
Inventory projection:
- Start April: 5,200 feet
- Mid-April usage: 2,000 feet
- Remaining: 3,200 feet
- Expected usage through August: 3,500+ feet
- Status: Tight, but OK if on plan
May - Peak Season, Replenishment Planning
What to do:
- Peak season in full swing (busiest month for many regions)
- Usage is 2,000+ feet per week
- Your bulk order pricing lock is still valid until May 15
Material actions:
- Before May 15 (pricing lock expires): Plan your next bulk order OR lock additional pricing
- If you want more material at locked pricing, order it this week
- If not, be prepared for prices to be re-quoted at current market rates
Decision point:
- Option A: Order another 3,000 feet before May 15 at $1.70/foot (you still have buffer of bulk stock)
- Option B: Let the lock expire and order smaller amounts at floating prices (June-August)
Most successful contractors choose Option A (more bulk) if cash flow allows.
June - Peak Season, Heavy Usage
What to do:
- June is often the peak month (most jobs happening)
- Heavy material usage (2,500-3,000+ feet per week)
- Your pricing lock may have expired
Material actions:
- Check inventory daily (you could run low if usage exceeds forecast)
- If original bulk order is nearly used and you didn't reorder in May:
- Place smaller project-based orders as needed
- Accept current market pricing (hopefully still reasonable)
- Plan better for next year
- If you did reorder in May:
- You're stocked and locked
- No stress about supply or price
Inventory check:
- Started June with: 1,500 feet (if you didn't reorder in May) or 4,500 feet (if you did)
- Usage June: 3,000 feet
- Remaining: -1,500 feet (PROBLEM) or 1,500 feet (OK)
This illustrates why May reordering matters.
July - Peak Season Continues, Prepare for Slowdown
What to do:
- July is still busy (summer jobs continue)
- But you can see the season is peaking (fewer new inquiries than June)
- Usage is still heavy but starting to slow slightly
Material actions:
- Inventory check: How much coil do you have left?
- If low, place a final 1,500-2,000 feet order for August work
- No rush (you won't use more bulk until next April)
- Be flexible on pricing (not peak urgency anymore)
Planning:
- Use up remaining bulk stock through July-August
- Plan any custom or specialty orders for September-October (customers doing fall work)
- Don't overbuy (don't want excess inventory sitting over winter)
August - End of Peak Season, Final Orders
What to do:
- Gutter season is wrapping (back-to-school/pre-winter work comes in)
- Heavy usage will slow
- Fall and winter are slow season
Material actions:
- Final material orders for remaining jobs
- Start using up inventory (you want to be near-empty by September)
- No new bulk orders (why order material when you won't use it for 6 months?)
- Focus on clearing inventory
September-October - Slow Season, Reflect and Plan
What to do:
- Gutter work slows dramatically (except in some regions where fall leaf removal drives work)
- Time to reflect on the season and plan for next year
Material actions:
- Review season performance: How much did you actually use? Did forecast match reality?
- Audit pricing: Did you lock at good times? Were there opportunities you missed?
- Plan improvements: What would you change for next season?
- Use any leftover inventory (don't want to carry excess over winter)
November reflection:
- Total usage: Was it 18,000 feet (as forecast) or different?
- Total material cost: Was it $32,400 as budgeted or different?
- Pricing: Did bulk ordering save money as expected?
- Improvements: What would you do differently?
This becomes input for November planning next year.
Seasonal Pricing Strategy
Throughout the year:
February-April (before/early peak): Order aggressively at bulk pricing. Lock prices before they rise.
May-June (peak season): Use bulk stock, don't chase expensive spot market.
July-August (late peak, slowing): Order conservatively, use up inventory.
September-December (slow): Minimal ordering, use excess inventory.
Getting Started This Year
It's already April (depending on when you read this). Here's what to do:
If it's now April:
- You may have missed February bulk ordering
- Assess current inventory and usage
- Plan June bulk order if needed to carry you through August
- For next year, set calendar reminders for November (forecast) and January (confirm bulk order)
If it's November-January:
- Perfect time to implement this calendar
- Start with forecasting (November)
- Plan bulk order (December)
- Execute (January-February)
Using Your Supplier
Share your seasonal calendar with your supplier:
> "Here's our typical season. We want to bulk order 6,000 feet in February for April-August work. Can we lock pricing at least through May? After May, we'll place smaller orders for June-August."
A good supplier will:
- Appreciate the transparency
- Offer volume pricing for February bulk
- Offer flexible terms
- Help you manage the seasonal cycle
Request a quote and discuss your seasonal strategy. A supplier aligned with your calendar makes everything easier.