$10,000 STARTING CAPITAL
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.
THE PLAN
What this tier actually buys you
The extra $7k vs. the bootstrap tier buys you a used hot-water skid (the single biggest productivity upgrade in the trade), a cargo trailer that doubles as your mobile billboard, and a real website + CRM so you look like an established operator from invoice one. At this tier you can credibly bid independent restaurants and small restaurant groups on day one, and the per-job economics support a $900–$1,400 average ticket.
EQUIPMENT
The gear you need on day one
Cross-linked to the equipment page. Prices reflect the most recent range we've seen quoted to operators.
PRESSURE WASHER
4,000 PSI / 4 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Entry-level cold-water rig with a Honda GX390 or equivalent. Enough pressure to strip an average hood if you pair it with a strong degreaser.
Why: Cold water plus hot degreaser will work on most jobs. Hot water skids are nice-to-have, not mandatory on day one.
$1,200–$1,500Where to buy →
HOT WATER
Used Hot-Water Pressure Washer Skid
Diesel-fired, 3,500–4,000 PSI at 4 GPM, 200°F output. A used Hydro Tek, Landa, or Alkota skid transforms job speed.
Why: Hot water + surfactant drops job time by 30–40%. That margin compounds every week.
$4,500–$7,000 usedWhere to buy →
CHEMICALS
Caustic Hood Degreaser Concentrate (5 gal)
Dilute 4:1 for soak, 10:1 for wash-down. One 5-gal jug handles ~15–25 standard hood jobs. Buy concentrate, never ready-to-use.
$85–$110Where to buy →
CONTAINMENT
Containment Tarp + Clamp Kit
Heavy-gauge poly tarps, magnetic clips, 3M blue tape, and plastic sheeting. Seal off the kitchen before the first trigger pull.
Why: Kitchens getting slimed with runoff is the #1 reason an operator gets fired before their second job. Containment is non-negotiable.
$180–$240Where to buy →Wet/Dry Recovery Vacuum + Berm
Captures rinse water on rooftops where you can't let grease-laden water hit storm drains.
Why: Municipal inspectors write real fines for storm-drain violations. Recovery = compliance.
$600–$1,200
PPE
Caustic-Rated PPE Kit (per tech)
Tyvek CHF suit, nitrile-over-neoprene gauntlet gloves, full-face splash goggles, P100 half-mask respirator, steel-toe rubber boots.
Why: Caustic degreaser splash on skin or eyes is a medical emergency. Buy real PPE, not dishwashing gloves.
$150–$180 per techWhere to buy →
LADDERS ACCESS
12-ft Fiberglass A-Frame Ladder
Fiberglass (not aluminum) for electrical safety near rooftop power. 12-ft reaches most hood plenums without extension.
$180–$240
VEHICLE
6x12 Enclosed Cargo Trailer
Locks up your gear, doubles as a rolling billboard with branded wraps, and signals professionalism on arrival.
$3,500–$5,500
DOCUMENTATION
General Liability — $1M / $2M
Non-negotiable. No restaurant will hire you without a COI. NEXT Insurance or Thimble can get you covered in under an hour.
$55–$120 / monthWhere to buy →NFPA 96 Cleaning Certification Stickers
Dated stickers you affix after each clean. Fire marshals open the hood and look for these first.
$25 per 100Where to buy →Jobber / Housecall Pro CRM
Schedule, quote, invoice, take card payments, and photo-log every job. Replaces three tools.
$39–$89 / monthWhere to buy →Professional website + Google Business Profile optimization
Simple 4-page site (home, services, service area, contact) plus a fully-populated GBP with 25+ photos. Most $10k-tier operators win 40% of jobs from GBP alone.
$1,500–$3,000 one-time
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and training we'd point a new operator toward anyway — the affiliate relationship doesn't buy a listing.
CREDENTIALS
Certifications this tier calls for
Get these pre-launch if you can. They're sales tools as much as they are credentials.
OSHA-authorized trainer
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety
Basic jobsite safety card. Every tech should have one. Many commercial property managers now require OSHA 10 before a vendor sets foot on site.
Cost: $60–$125 online
IKECA
IKECA Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS)
The most widely recognized hood cleaning certification in North America. CECS proves you understand NFPA 96, safe chemical use, containment, and documentation.
Cost: $475 member / $675 non-member
MARKETING
The moves that land accounts at this tier
Stack-ranked. Do them in order. Don't skip to the fun ones until the first three are done.
- 1
Lead with CECS. Every sales conversation opens with "I hold the IKECA CECS credential" — this is the door-opener with restaurant groups.
- 2
Build a real 4-page website (home, services, service area, contact) with the Jobber 'Get a Quote' widget.
- 3
Populate Google Business Profile aggressively. 50+ photos, service-area map, and a weekly post. GBP alone drives 35–50% of inquiries at this tier.
- 4
Join your local restaurant association and 2–3 property manager groups. Show up in person at 2 events.
- 5
Build a 10-account target list. Research who cleans their hoods today. Pitch them with the CECS angle and a specific before/after photo from a similar-sized kitchen.
LICENSING & INSURANCE
The paperwork, in order
- ✓Everything from the bootstrap tier
- ✓Inland marine policy for the hot-water skid ($15–$30/month add-on)
- ✓DOT number if the trailer crosses state lines
- ✓State business license as required
- ✓Worker's comp — optional if solo, mandatory before first hire
WHAT COMES NEXT
The upgrade path
Two routes: (1) hire a second tech, double routes and revenue; or (2) save for the pro tier's branded box truck and bid national chain work. Most operators pick route 1 first, route 2 at year 2–3.
COMPARE
Browse the other tiers
READY TO LOCK IN THE PLAN?
Drop your email and we'll send the full $3k / $10k / $30k PDF comparison — the exact equipment list, phone numbers for the insurance carriers, and the 10-account target-list template.
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