Cost & scope
What a full-system commercial hood clean includes
Use this as the scope sheet you hand a vendor. If a section is left off, get it in writing why.
Short answer
Full-system means the grease path end-to-end: hood, filters, plenum, horizontal duct, vertical duct, rooftop fan, and grease containment — cleaned to bare metal where accessible, with photos and inaccessible areas documented.
| Component | What “done” means | Common miss |
|---|---|---|
| Hood / canopy | Interior surfaces cleaned; grease removed | Only the lip wiped |
| Filters | Removed, cleaned or replaced; seated correctly | Sprayed in place |
| Plenum | Opened; cleaned to metal | Never opened |
| Horizontal duct | Accessed via panels; cleaned | “No access” every visit |
| Vertical duct | Accessed where possible; residuals noted | Skipped entirely |
| Rooftop fan | Hinged/cleaned; drains checked | Never on the roof |
| Grease containment | Cups/traps emptied; roof residue addressed per scope | Ignored |
What good looks like
- Each row above marked included or excluded
- Exclusions tied to missing panels or unsafe access
- Photos per major section
What a cheap wipe looks like
- One line: “clean hood”
- No roof time in the work order
- Same “no access” note for years with no panel plan
Field detail
- Walk the roof once with the vendor on the first visit
- Photograph access panel locations yourself for the file
- If vertical risers cannot be reached, get a written panel recommendation
Who it’s for / not for
- For: writing RFPs and comparing bids
- Not for: DIY cleaning of commercial exhaust systems
Next step
Copy the component table into your next bid email and require a completed yes/no column back.