THE HOOD CLEANING STARTER PACK
PICK YOUR CAPITAL. BUILD YOUR BUSINESS.
Most "how to start a hood cleaning business" guides dodge the money question. This one doesn't. Three capital tiers — $3,000, $10,000, $30,000 — with real equipment lists, the certifications that matter, the marketing moves that actually land accounts, and a realistic year-one revenue range for each.
No magical thinking. No "I made $200k my first month." The numbers below are what operators actually report.
THREE TIERS, THREE BUSINESSES
Which Starter Pack fits your situation
More capital doesn't always mean more profit — it means different economics, different accounts, and a different first year. Scan the comparison, then click into the tier that matches your situation.
$3,000 TIER
Bootstrap — $3,000
The 'solo operator with a pickup truck' path. You're betting on your own labor, cold-water cleaning, and aggressive local sales. Works. Has worked for hundreds of operators.
- First job in
- 14 days
- Gross margin target
- 55–65%
- Year-one revenue
- $18,000–$55,000 gross revenue
See the full plan →
$10,000 TIER
Starter — $10,000
The "professional from day one" tier. Used hot-water skid, enclosed trailer, CRM, real website. You walk into an independent restaurant and you look like a 5-year-old company.
- First job in
- 21 days
- Gross margin target
- 60–70%
- Year-one revenue
- $60,000–$140,000 gross revenue
See the full plan →
$30,000 TIER
Pro — $30,000
The "compete with HOODZ" tier. Branded box truck, two CECS credentials, fire suppression cert, and a second crew kit on deck. You can bid national chain work from launch.
- First job in
- 45 days
- Gross margin target
- 55–65%
- Year-one revenue
- $140,000–$380,000 gross revenue
See the full plan →
HOW TO CHOOSE
Quick filter — which tier, which operator
Pick Bootstrap if…
- — You have a pickup truck and $3k in the bank.
- — You want to quit a W-2 in 6–12 months, not next month.
- — You're comfortable doing walk-in sales.
- — You'll reinvest every dollar for the first year.
Pick Starter if…
- — You have $8–15k saved and a 6-month runway.
- — You want to look professional from invoice one.
- — You plan to pursue independent restaurants and small groups.
- — You're willing to earn the IKECA CECS within year one.
Pick Pro if…
- — You have $25–40k and can front payroll on Net-45 terms.
- — You already have CECS or can earn it pre-launch.
- — You want to bid chain and regional restaurant group work.
- — You plan to hire a second tech in months 2–4.
WHAT EVERY TIER COVERS
Same structure across all three plans
Equipment
Exact items, tier-specific, cross-linked to the gear page with typical costs and affiliate buy links.
Certifications
The credentials that open doors at each tier — CECS, OSHA-10, NAFED suppression, PWNA EWC.
Marketing moves
The 4–5 activities that actually land accounts at your tier. No social-media-will-save-you nonsense.
Licensing & insurance
LLC, EIN, GL policy, inland marine, DOT, workers' comp — what to file, in what order.
ALREADY RUNNING THE TRUCK?
Browse the per-city directory to see how your metro stacks up on provider density, pricing, and competition.
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