What certifications should a hood cleaning company have?

At minimum, a hood cleaning company should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. They should demonstrate knowledge of NFPA 96 and NYC Fire Code requirements. Ask for proof of insurance and any relevant certifications. In NYC, verify they understand FDNY documentation requirements and can provide proper compliance certificates.

How much should hood cleaning cost in NYC?

Legitimate hood cleaning in NYC typically ranges from $350 for a small single-hood system to $1,200+ for large multi-hood systems. Be cautious of quotes under $200 — these companies often only clean the visible hood and skip ductwork and the rooftop fan. See our detailed pricing guide for more information.

What should I receive after a hood cleaning?

After every cleaning, you should receive: before-and-after photos documenting the work, a signed NFPA 96 compliance certificate, a compliance sticker affixed to the hood, and a technician report noting any system issues. All of this should be included in the quoted price — if a company charges extra for documentation, look elsewhere.

How do I know if a hood cleaning company is cutting corners?

Warning signs include: crews that finish in under two hours for a standard system, no before-and-after photos provided, no compliance certificate, the rooftop fan was not cleaned, ductwork was not addressed, plastic sheeting was not used to protect kitchen equipment, and prices significantly below market rate.

Should I sign a maintenance contract for hood cleaning?

Yes. A maintenance contract ensures your cleanings happen on schedule at your NFPA 96 required frequency, typically at a 10-20% discount compared to one-off service calls. It also means the company tracks your schedule and sends reminders, reducing the risk of missed cleanings and FDNY violations.

How to Choose a Hood Cleaning Company in NYC: What to Look For

Choosing a hood cleaning company is a decision that affects your fire safety, your code compliance, your insurance standing, and your health inspection results. In NYC, where the FDNY actively enforces NFPA 96 and the consequences of non-compliance are severe, the company you hire matters more than the price you pay.

This guide will help you identify quality providers, avoid companies that cut corners, and make a decision that protects your business.

Why the Choice Matters

Hood cleaning is not a commodity service where all providers deliver the same result. The difference between a thorough cleaning and a superficial one is the difference between:

A fire-safe exhaust system and a grease-loaded fire hazard
Valid compliance documentation and a paper trail that falls apart during an FDNY inspection
An insurance policy that will pay out after a fire and a claim denial that could bankrupt your business

The cheapest option is not the cheapest option if it leaves your system non-compliant.

What to Look For

1. Insurance Coverage

This is non-negotiable. Before hiring any hood cleaning company, verify:

General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million per occurrence. Hood cleaning involves chemicals, pressure washing, and work on your roof. If something goes wrong — water damage, chemical damage, a slip-and-fall — their insurance covers it, not yours
Workers’ compensation insurance: Their employees are working in your building, on your roof, at night. If a worker is injured and the company does not carry workers’ comp, you could be liable
Request a certificate of insurance (COI): Ask for it before the first cleaning. A reputable company will provide it without hesitation

2. NFPA 96 Knowledge

The company should demonstrate thorough knowledge of NFPA 96 requirements. Test this during your initial conversation:

Do they ask about your cooking type and volume to determine the correct cleaning frequency?
Can they explain what NFPA 96 Section 11 requires for cleaning scope?
Do they clean the entire system — hood, ductwork, and fan — or just the visible hood?
Do they provide NFPA 96 compliance certificates?

A company that cannot articulate these basics is not qualified to clean your system.

3. NYC-Specific Experience

NYC presents unique challenges that out-of-area or inexperienced companies may not handle well:

Building access: Navigating after-hours security, freight elevators, roof access, and building management requirements
FDNY documentation: Understanding what the FDNY expects during inspections and providing documentation that meets those expectations
Urban logistics: Operating in a city with limited parking, narrow streets, and strict noise ordinances
Building types: Experience with the variety of NYC buildings — from pre-war walk-ups to modern high-rises, each with different exhaust system configurations

4. Documentation and Photo Evidence

Every cleaning should produce:

Before-and-after photos: Timestamped photos of the hood interior, ductwork (via access panels), filters, and fan — both before and after cleaning
NFPA 96 compliance certificate: A signed document certifying the cleaning meets NFPA 96 standards
Compliance sticker: A sticker or tag on the hood showing the date of cleaning, company name, and contact information
Technician report: Notes on system condition, any damage observed, and recommendations

If a company does not offer this documentation package, they are not providing a professional service. See our article on what professional hood cleaning looks like for detailed examples.

5. Scope of Service

Confirm exactly what the quoted price includes. A complete hood cleaning covers:

Hood interior (plenum area) — scraped, degreased, and pressure washed
Grease filters — removed, cleaned, inspected, and reinstalled
Ductwork — all accessible sections cleaned via access panels
Rooftop fan — housing, blades, catch pan cleaned; fan tested
Kitchen protection — equipment and surfaces covered during cleaning
Cleanup — kitchen left ready for operation
Documentation — photos, certificate, sticker, and report

If any of these items are excluded or “extra,” that is a problem.

6. Scheduling Reliability

In NYC, hood cleaning typically happens during off-hours (10 PM – 6 AM). Your kitchen must be ready for service the next morning. Ask about:

Scheduling lead time: How far in advance do you need to book?
On-time track record: Do they show up when scheduled?
Completion guarantee: Will the kitchen be ready by your opening time?
Emergency availability: Can they accommodate same-day requests if you have an urgent FDNY inspection?

A company that regularly no-shows or runs late is not a company you want protecting your fire safety compliance.

7. References and Reputation

Ask for references: Specifically from NYC restaurants similar to your operation. Call them and ask about reliability, quality, and documentation
Check online reviews: Google, Yelp, and industry forums. Look for patterns in complaints — one bad review can be an anomaly, but repeated complaints about the same issue indicate a systemic problem
Industry reputation: Ask other restaurant owners in your neighborhood. Word of mouth in the NYC restaurant community is powerful

Red Flags: Companies to Avoid

Extremely Low Pricing

If a quote seems too good to be true, it is. A company quoting $150–$200 for a “full hood cleaning” in NYC is either:

Only cleaning the visible hood surface and filters (not the ductwork or fan)
Using untrained labor
Skipping documentation
Not carrying proper insurance

The real cost of a thorough, compliant hood cleaning in NYC starts around $350 for the smallest systems. See our hood cleaning pricing guide for detailed benchmarks.

No Written Contract or Scope

If a company will not provide a written scope of work and price before the cleaning, walk away. You need a clear agreement on what is included, what is excluded, and what the total cost will be.

High-Pressure Sales Tactics

A company that pressures you to sign immediately, claims prices will increase if you do not commit today, or tries to upsell unnecessary services during the cleaning is prioritizing their revenue over your needs.

No Insurance Documentation

If they hesitate or refuse to provide a certificate of insurance, they are either uninsured or underinsured. Do not hire them. The liability risk to you is too high.

Subcontracting Without Disclosure

Some companies sell the job and then subcontract it to a different crew. If this is the case, you need to know who is actually doing the work, what their qualifications are, and whether they carry their own insurance. Undisclosed subcontracting is a red flag.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Use this list during your evaluation:

Can you provide a certificate of insurance (general liability and workers’ comp)?
How long have you been cleaning hoods in NYC specifically?
What is your cleaning process — do you clean the hood, ductwork, and rooftop fan?
Do you provide before-and-after photos and an NFPA 96 compliance certificate?
What cleaning frequency do you recommend for my kitchen, and why?
What does your quoted price include? Are there any additional charges?
Do you offer maintenance contracts?
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Can you provide references from NYC restaurants you currently service?
How do you handle emergency or same-day cleaning requests?

Maintenance Contracts: Why They Make Sense

Once you find a good provider, a maintenance contract is the best way to ensure consistent compliance:

Automatic scheduling: Cleanings happen at the correct NFPA 96 frequency without you having to remember
Lower per-visit cost: Most companies offer 10–20% discounts for contract customers
Priority scheduling: Contract customers typically get priority for emergency and same-day requests
Consistent documentation: Your compliance records stay current without gaps
Relationship: A provider who services your kitchen regularly knows your system and can spot developing issues early

For more on building a comprehensive maintenance plan, see our hood cleaning maintenance schedule guide.

Making the Final Decision

After evaluating candidates, weight your decision on these factors in this order:

Insurance and credentials: This is binary — they either have it or they do not
Scope of service: The cleaning must cover the complete system with proper documentation
NYC experience and reliability: They need to know how to operate in this city
Reputation and references: What do other restaurant owners say?
Price: Compare only after the first four factors are satisfied

The cheapest compliant provider is a reasonable choice. The cheapest provider who cuts corners is the most expensive mistake you can make.

Bottom Line

Your hood cleaning company is responsible for your fire safety, your code compliance, and your insurance standing. Choose based on quality, credentials, and reliability — not just price. A thorough provider who delivers proper documentation is worth every dollar.

At Empire Hoods, we provide free on-site estimates, carry full insurance, and deliver complete NFPA 96 documentation with every cleaning. Get your free estimate or call (212) 871-4663.