hiring · 6 min read · Updated 2026-03-01
Checklist: What to Ask Before Hiring a Hood Cleaning Company
A practical checklist of the specific questions restaurant operators should ask before hiring a commercial kitchen hood cleaner.
Certifications
- Are your technicians IKECA-certified (or equivalent)?
- Do you follow NFPA 96 as a baseline?
- Who will be on-site — employees or subcontractors?
Scope of service
- Does the quote include the full system — hood, filters, vertical duct, and rooftop or wall-cap fan?
- Will you clean to bare metal where reachable?
- Do we have enough access panels, and will you install more if needed?
Insurance and bonding
- Are you insured and bonded? Can you send a current certificate of insurance?
- What's your coverage for water damage during pressure washing?
Documentation practices
- Do you provide photo documentation of the duct and rooftop fan?
- Will you leave a dated sticker on the hood and a certificate for our compliance file?
- Can we access past cleaning records digitally?
Pricing transparency
- Is this a flat quote or is it subject to change if access is harder than expected?
- Are travel fees or overnight premiums separate?
- Do you offer a service plan discount for quarterly cleanings?