Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Pricing: What to Charge and How to Quote

Published: August 12, 2025 | Category: Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning

Stop leaving money on the table. Kitchen exhaust cleaning isn't pressure washing driveways — it's specialized fire prevention work that commands premium pricing. Here's what successful contractors charge and how to quote jobs that stick.

Why Most Contractors Underprice Exhaust Cleaning

Common pricing mistakes that kill profits:

• Treating it like regular cleaning: It's fire safety compliance, not janitorial work
• Competing on price alone: Race to the bottom with unqualified competitors
• Not understanding liability: Insurance claims from grease fires cost millions
• Hourly thinking: Value-based pricing beats time-based pricing

Smart contractors position exhaust cleaning as insurance against catastrophic loss, not a maintenance expense.

Market Rate Analysis by System Type

Small Restaurant Systems (Under 10 Feet of Hood)

Typical setup: Pizza shops, sandwich shops, small cafes

• Market range: $200-400 per cleaning
• Premium positioning: $350-500
• Frequency: Monthly to quarterly
• Annual value: $1,400-6,000 per client

Medium Restaurant Systems (10-20 Feet of Hood)

Typical setup: Full-service restaurants, sports bars, family dining

• Market range: $400-800 per cleaning
• Premium positioning: $700-1,200
• Frequency: Monthly to bi-monthly
• Annual value: $4,200-14,400 per client

Large Restaurant Systems (20+ Feet of Hood)

Typical setup: Chain restaurants, hotels, large kitchens

• Market range: $800-1,500 per cleaning
• Premium positioning: $1,200-2,500
• Frequency: Monthly
• Annual value: $14,400-30,000 per client

Commercial Kitchen Systems (Institutional)

Typical setup: Hospitals, schools, corporate cafeterias

• Market range: $1,500-3,000 per cleaning
• Premium positioning: $2,500-5,000
• Frequency: Monthly to quarterly
• Annual value: $10,000-60,000 per client

Pricing Factors That Justify Premium Rates

System Complexity Multipliers

Base pricing on system difficulty, not just size:

Standard systems (+0%):

• Straight ductwork runs
• Single exhaust fan
• Easy roof access
• Standard grease buildup

Complex systems (+25-50%):

• Multiple direction changes in ductwork
• Multiple exhaust fans
• Difficult roof access
• Heavy grease accumulation

Challenging systems (+50-100%):

• Multi-story ductwork
• Shared exhaust systems
• Rooftop access restrictions
• Extreme grease buildup requiring pre-treatment

Compliance and Documentation Premiums

Charge extra for thorough compliance work:

• NFPA 96 compliance documentation: +$50-150
• Fire marshal inspection prep: +$100-300
• Insurance documentation: +$75-200
• Photo documentation package: +$50-100

Scheduling and Access Premiums

Difficult scheduling deserves premium pricing:

• After-hours cleaning (nights/weekends): +25-50%
• Emergency/rush service: +50-100%
• Holiday scheduling: +50-75%
• Difficult access (high-rise, restricted areas): +25-75%

Value-Based Pricing Psychology

Position Against Risk, Not Cost

Frame pricing around what they're avoiding:

Grease fire costs:

• Average grease fire damage: $50,000-200,000
• Business interruption: $10,000-50,000 per week
• Insurance deductibles: $5,000-25,000
• Legal liability: Potentially unlimited

Compliance violation costs:

• Fire marshal fines: $500-5,000 per violation
• Forced closure: $1,000-10,000 per day
• Insurance policy cancellation: Potentially business-ending
• Legal liability for negligence: $100,000+

ROI Positioning Statement

Use this framework in your quotes:

Quoting Process That Closes Deals

On-Site Assessment (Always Required)

Never quote kitchen exhaust cleaning over the phone:

What to inspect:

• Hood system size: Linear feet, number of hoods
• Ductwork complexity: Turns, length, accessibility
• Fan configuration: Number, type, roof access
• Grease accumulation: Current condition, cleaning frequency
• Access challenges: Roof access, building restrictions

What to document:

• Photos of current system condition
• Measurements of all components
• Notes on access requirements
• Current cleaning schedule and provider

Quote Structure That Sells

Lead with compliance, not cleaning:

Not: "Kitchen exhaust cleaning"

Break down value components:

• Hood and filter cleaning: $X
• Ductwork degreasing: $X
• Exhaust fan service: $X
• Compliance documentation: $X
• Fire safety inspection: $X

Include service guarantees:

• "Pass fire marshal inspection or we return to fix issues at no charge"
• "Insurance documentation provided within 24 hours"
• "Emergency re-cleaning if system fails inspection"

Pricing Presentation Strategy

Present three options (anchoring):

Basic Service: Meets minimum compliance requirements

Standard Service: Comprehensive cleaning with documentation

Premium Service: Full compliance plus preventive maintenance

Most clients choose the middle option, which should be your target profit margin.

Handling Price Objections

Common Objections and Responses

"That's more than we pay now"

Response: "I understand. What does your current provider include in their service? Do they provide NFPA 96 compliance documentation and guarantee you'll pass fire marshal inspections?"

"We just need basic cleaning"

Response: "I appreciate that, but there's no such thing as 'basic' when it comes to fire safety. Your insurance company and the fire marshal expect full NFPA 96 compliance. Anything less puts your business at risk."

"Can you match [competitor's] price?"

Response: "I can't match their price because I can't match their shortcuts. When you're dealing with fire safety, you want the contractor who does it right, not the one who does it cheap."

When to Walk Away

Red flags that indicate unprofitable clients:

• Price shopping only: No interest in compliance or quality
• Unrealistic expectations: Want premium results at budget prices
• Payment history issues: Slow pay or disputes with previous contractors
• Unsafe working conditions: Not worth the liability risk

Contract Terms That Protect Profits

Payment Terms

• New clients: Payment due upon completion
• Established clients: Net 15 days maximum
• Large contracts: 50% deposit, balance on completion
• Annual contracts: Quarterly payments in advance

Service Guarantees (That Don't Kill Profits)

• Fire marshal inspection guarantee: Return to fix issues, but charge for additional cleaning needed
• Workmanship guarantee: 30 days on cleaning quality, not system performance
• Documentation guarantee: Provide required paperwork, not system performance

Scope Protection Clauses

• Access requirements: Client provides safe roof access
• System condition: Extreme buildup requires pre-treatment at additional cost
• Equipment failures: Repairs needed during cleaning billed separately
• Code violations: Structural issues outside scope of cleaning

Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities

Related Services That Add Revenue

Leverage your kitchen access for additional services:

Grease trap cleaning: Natural complement to exhaust cleaning

• Same client base, different schedule
• Adds $200-800 per service
• Monthly or quarterly frequency

Deep fryer maintenance: Oil filtration and cleaning

• Weekly or bi-weekly service
• Adds $100-300 per visit
• High-frequency revenue stream

Kitchen floor degreasing: Slip prevention and sanitation

• Monthly deep cleaning service
• Adds $300-800 per service
• Safety and insurance benefits

Maintenance Contracts

Convert one-time cleanings to recurring revenue:

Monthly service contracts:

• Guaranteed revenue stream
• 10-15% discount for commitment
• Easier scheduling and route planning

Quarterly compliance packages:

• Cleaning plus documentation
• Fire marshal inspection prep
• Insurance compliance reporting

Market Positioning for Premium Pricing

Expertise-Based Differentiation

Position yourself as the fire safety expert:

• NFPA 96 certification: Display credentials prominently
• Fire marshal relationships: Know local inspection requirements
• Insurance industry knowledge: Understand policy requirements
• Equipment expertise: Use professional-grade tools

Risk Mitigation Messaging

Lead with safety, not savings:

• "Fire prevention specialists"
• "NFPA 96 compliance experts"
• "Insurance-approved contractors"
• "Certified kitchen exhaust professionals"

Seasonal Pricing Strategies

Peak Season Premiums (Summer)

Higher demand during fire season:

• June-August: +10-20% premium
• Fire marshal inspection season: +15-25% premium
• Insurance renewal periods: +10-15% premium

Off-Season Incentives (Winter)

Maintain cash flow during slower periods:

• Annual contract discounts: 10-15% for yearly commitments
• Multiple location discounts: 5-10% for chain restaurants
• Referral incentives: Credit for new client referrals

Tracking and Optimizing Your Pricing

Key Metrics to Monitor

• Quote-to-close ratio: Target 60-80% for qualified leads
• Average job value: Track by system type and complexity
• Profit margin per job: After all costs including travel
• Customer lifetime value: Total revenue per client relationship

Price Testing Strategies

• A/B test quote formats: Compliance-focused vs. cleaning-focused
• Test premium positioning: Gradually increase prices for new clients
• Geographic pricing: Adjust for local market conditions
• Service bundling: Test different package combinations

Building Long-Term Pricing Power

Client Education Strategy

Educated clients pay premium prices:

• Share fire safety statistics and case studies
• Explain NFPA 96 requirements in detail
• Provide insurance industry insights
• Document compliance improvements over time

Relationship-Based Pricing

Strong relationships support premium pricing:

• Consistent service quality: Never compromise on standards
• Proactive communication: Alert clients to potential issues
• Emergency availability: Be there when they need you
• Industry expertise: Stay current on regulations and best practices

The Bottom Line on Kitchen Exhaust Pricing

Kitchen exhaust cleaning isn't a commodity service — it's specialized fire prevention work that saves businesses from catastrophic losses. Price it accordingly.

Contractors who compete on price alone end up working harder for less money. Those who position themselves as fire safety experts and compliance specialists build profitable, sustainable businesses.

Find the right prospects, price your services based on value, and never apologize for charging what your expertise is worth.