COST GUIDE — TAMPA BAY & CENTRAL FLORIDA

What Hood Cleaning Actually Costs

Most competitors won't publish numbers, so here are the industry's real ones: across the market, professional kitchen exhaust cleaning typically runs $400–$1,500 per visit, with multi-hood systems and long duct runs at the upper end and neglected systems above it. Below is what moves the number — and how to compare quotes so a cheap wipe-down doesn't cost you an inspection. Your exact VentWash quote is free and takes minutes.

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NFPA 96 COMPLIANT · PHOTO REPORTS · SERVICE STICKERS · AFTER-HOURS CREWS

Typical market ranges

These are typical industry ranges for the Florida market — every kitchen is quoted on its own system, but this is the honest ballpark most compliant cleanings land in:

TYPICAL COMMERCIAL HOOD CLEANING COSTS — PER VISIT, FULL NFPA 96 SCOPE
SystemTypical exampleTypical range
Single hood, short duct runCafé, small kitchen, food truck$400 – $700
Single hood, longer duct or roof fan accessTypical full-service restaurant$600 – $1,000
Multi-hood system, shared duct riserLarge restaurant, hotel outlet, buffet line$800 – $1,500
Neglected system — first-time restorationYears of buildup, seized panels, saturated fan$1,000 – $2,500+

What drives the price

  • Hood count — each canopy adds surface area, filters, and time
  • Duct length & layout — long runs, elbows, and vertical risers take longer to reach bare metal
  • Roof access — fan location and building height affect crew time and safety setup
  • Grease load — a system on schedule cleans fast; a neglected one is a restoration
  • Cooking style — solid fuel and heavy charbroiling build tenacious deposits
  • Access panels — missing panels must be installed (once) before the full run can be cleaned

How to compare quotes — scope beats number

Two quotes for the "same" job can differ by half — and the difference is almost always what's excluded. Before comparing numbers, make every vendor answer the same five questions:

  • Does it include the full duct run — every section, every access panel?
  • Is the rooftop fan opened, degreased, and its condition documented?
  • Will you receive before/after photos of duct interiors — not just the hood?
  • Is a certificate of performance and dated service sticker included?
  • Are deficiencies (missing panels, fan wear) reported with photos before extra charges?

Every VentWash quote answers yes to all five. That's the scope NFPA 96 requires — see the Florida compliance guide for exactly what inspectors check.

Pricing questions

Why is the low quote usually the expensive one?

Because it usually buys a hood-only wipe-down. The duct and fan — where the fire risk lives — stay loaded, the fire marshal fails the inspection, and you pay twice. Compare quotes on scope: full duct run, rooftop fan, access panels, and photo documentation, or it isn't an NFPA 96 cleaning.

Does a recurring schedule cost less per visit?

Yes — meaningfully. A system cleaned on its proper NFPA 96 cycle never rebuilds heavy grease, so each visit is faster and priced accordingly. The expensive cleanings are the catch-up ones after a lapse.

Is the quote binding?

Our quotes are exact for the scope described. If a first visit reveals something unquotable in advance — a hidden duct section, a panel that was never installed — you hear about it with photos before any extra work, not on the invoice.

Skip the ballpark — get your exact number.

Hood count, cooking style, address: that's all we need. Free exact quote by phone or form, any hour.

Call (973) 291-9726
(973) 291-9726