Ontario Restaurant Exhaust Cleaning: Compare Quotes in Canada

Use the Ontario code adopted for this work

The 2026 Ontario Fire Code Compendium identifies NFPA 96-2014 in its referenced-standards table against the commercial-cooking provisions in Division B, including Articles 2.6.1.12 and 2.6.1.13.[1] Confirm the current consolidated code, the installation and any local fire-authority requirements with a qualified contractor. A vendor’s claim to use the latest NFPA edition does not by itself identify the edition adopted in Ontario or establish site compliance.

An Ontario restaurant exhaust-cleaning quote should define the complete grease-exhaust path from each hood to its fan.[2][3][4][5] It should also identify inaccessible or shared sections,[3][4][6] price access repairs,[2] specify recommissioning[5] and require component-level completion evidence.[2][3]

Turn “hood cleaning” into a component scope

Itemize the work by hood or system number rather than accepting “complete hood cleaning.” For each system, the quote should list:

• Every canopy and baffle-filter set or other grease-removal device;
• Each plenum;
• Every vertical and horizontal grease-duct section and access point; and
• Each rooftop, inline or wall-mounted exhaust fan.[2][3][4][5]

Distinguish “all ductwork” from “all accessible ductwork.” Power Hoods describes its scope as accessible duct sections, while Hood Cleaning Masters says its final report should identify inaccessible areas.[3][4]

Define the required finish. Ontario Hood Cleaning and Hood Cleaning Masters describe cleaning to bare metal; Robinhood qualifies this as “to bare metal where feasible,” and Power Hoods limits its published duct scope to accessible sections.[2][3][4][5]

List exclusions as clearly as inclusions. Ontario Hood Cleaning excludes make-up-air units, rooftop HVAC, dishwasher boosters, walk-in cooler condensers and equipment outside the grease-exhaust path from its standard scope.[2]

Resolve access gaps before pricing

Before accepting a price, require an inspection of duct access and safe rooftop access. Robinhood describes checking both during preparation and calls for access doors at changes in direction and at intervals needed for cleaning.[5]

For every inaccessible or shared section, mark the exact stopping point and identify what remains beyond it. Hood Cleaning Toronto says its shared-system reports show where the cleaned scope ends.[6]

Add a quote line assigning responsibility for missing or damaged access panels and gaskets. State whether repair or replacement is:

• Included in the base price;
• Covered by an allowance;
• Subject to separate authorization; or
• Excluded.

Ontario Hood Cleaning says its standard visit includes replacing damaged or missing access panels and gaskets.[2] Any unresolved access gap should remain listed as a deficiency in the completion report.[3][4]

Specify preparation and recommissioning

The scope should assign responsibility for protecting the kitchen, coordinating shutdowns and returning the exhaust system to service.

• Before cleaning: Specify who protects appliances, floors and nearby surfaces; shuts down affected gas or electrical equipment as needed; handles the fire-suppression procedure; and collects wastewater.[5]
• After cleaning: Require reinstallation of filters and access doors, wipe-down of surrounding equipment, fan-operation testing, an airflow check and confirmation that rooftop grease containment is seated and functioning.[5]
• For the fan: Ask whether the price includes safe tipping or removal, protection of flexible wiring, cleaning of blades and housing, belt and bearing checks, belt-replacement authorization and inspection of grease containment.[4][5]

Do not choose a suppression-system isolation procedure by comparing vendor marketing pages. Before work, require the qualified contractor and responsible site representative to establish the applicable fire-protection impairment, notification, protection and restoration requirements with the authority having jurisdiction where necessary.[1] The written method must identify authorised personnel, safeguards during any interruption, the return-to-service check and the record of restoration. The different vendor descriptions do not establish a universally safe procedure.[3][5]

Require component-level completion evidence

The closeout package should mirror the quoted scope. Require paired before-and-after photographs of each canopy, filter set, plenum, duct view at every access point, fan housing and blade pack rather than a few representative images.[2][3][5][6]

• Signed report: Record the service date, property, components cleaned, components left uncleaned, inaccessible areas, deficiencies, technician or crew, and corrective work completed or recommended.[2][3][4][5]
• Traceable evidence: Request timestamps or photo references, cleaning-agent details where supplied and the next recommended service window.[5] Ontario Hood Cleaning says its certificate includes duct depth-gauge readings and its referenced photo report is emailed within 24 hours.[2]
• Procurement records: Request WSIB clearance and proof of liability insurance. Hood Cleaning Toronto says it provides both.[6]

A certificate should supplement, not replace, photographs and a component-level report. The records should identify every inaccessible or uncleaned section.[3][4]

Compare Ontario exhaust-cleaning providers

Ontario Hood Cleaning

• Service coverage: The company describes complete grease-exhaust-path cleaning and includes replacement of damaged or missing access panels and gaskets. Non-exhaust mechanical and kitchen equipment is excluded.[2]
• Completion evidence: Its certificate records duct depth-gauge readings, the technician’s signature and a photo-report reference. A PDF covering the plenum, filters, duct access points and fan is emailed within 24 hours.[2]
• Geographic or operational fit: It serves independents, chains and multi-unit operators across listed Ontario regions. Master service agreements, location-specific schedules and consolidated billing are available.[2]

Hood Cleaning Masters

• Service coverage: Its published scope includes the hood, filters, ductwork and rooftop fan, with surfaces described as cleaned to bare metal.[3]
• Completion evidence: Records include a certificate or sticker, before-and-after photographs, deficiencies and inaccessible areas.[3]
• Geographic or operational fit: The company serves restaurants, hotels and commercial kitchens in Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Richmond Hill and the surrounding GTA.[3]

Power Hoods Systems

• Service coverage: Its published scope covers the hood, filters and accessible duct sections, plus fan removal, belt inspection and grease-containment systems.[4]
• Completion evidence: Its page says a compliant report should identify cleaned and uncleaned areas, deficiencies and photographs of normally hidden components.[4]
• Geographic or operational fit: The company specializes in high-volume wok and tandoor systems and reports operating since 1993 and completing more than 5,000 Ontario projects.[4]

Robinhood Cleaners

• Service coverage: Its process covers access-door preparation, duct interiors, hinged-fan cleaning, wastewater handling, reassembly, fan-operation testing and airflow checking.[5]
• Completion evidence: Closeout materials include an on-hood tag, signed report, photographs, timestamps, crew details and corrective actions completed or recommended.[5]
• Geographic or operational fit: It serves restaurants and food-service operations across Ontario and describes quick response in Southern Ontario.[5]

Hood Cleaning Toronto

• Service coverage: Its restaurant scope covers the canopy, filters, plenum and accessible exhaust path. Reports for shared systems identify where the cleaned scope ends.[6]
• Completion evidence: The company provides photographs of every cleaned surface, a signed certificate, WSIB clearance and proof of liability insurance.[6]
• Geographic or operational fit: Overnight service is available in Toronto, East York and York. The company recommends booking standard overnight visits one to two weeks ahead.[6]

Compare published prices and contract features

• Hood Cleaning Toronto: its page advertises starting amounts of $385 for a single hood up to 10 feet and $725 for multi-hood kitchens, with multi-site work quoted by site. Treat these as vendor starting figures, not an all-in quotation. Obtain written confirmation of currency, taxes, system boundary, access work, travel and surcharges before comparing totals.[6]
• Ontario Hood Cleaning: Free quotes, flat per-visit invoicing for independent restaurants, multi-location pricing and master service agreements are available. Under its master service agreement, dates affected by private events or holidays can be moved within seven days at no charge.[2]

Starting prices cannot be compared reliably until each provider confirms the exact hood-to-fan boundary, access work, preparation, recommissioning and closeout package included.

Set the inspection and cleaning programme with a competent contractor

Use the applicable Ontario requirements and a site-specific assessment of cooking equipment, fuel, grease loading, operating hours, system condition and access. Do not adopt a universal monthly, quarterly or annual interval from a vendor comparison.[1] The cited suppliers describe different schedules; those descriptions are not a substitute for the adopted standard, required inspections or the local fire authority’s requirements.[2][3][4][5]

Require a written basis for the service programme, records of findings and a trigger for additional cleaning or review when deposits, equipment, operating hours or cooking processes change. Keep uncleaned and inaccessible sections visible in the deficiency log, with a named person responsible for resolution.[1][3][4]

What to confirm with each provider

• Ontario Hood Cleaning: Exact prices, minimum term, termination rights, refund policy and formal eligibility criteria are not stated on the cited page.[2]
• Hood Cleaning Masters: Prices, contract term, cancellation or refund terms and formal eligibility criteria are not stated on the cited page.[3]
• Power Hoods Systems: Prices, contract and cancellation terms, insurance amount and formal eligibility criteria are not stated on the cited page.[4]
• Robinhood Cleaners: Prices, contract and cancellation terms, insurance amount and a response-time guarantee are not stated on the cited page.[5]
• Hood Cleaning Toronto: require a written quotation confirming currency, taxes, the actual hood-to-fan scope, surcharges, contract term, cancellation/refund provisions and liability cover. The advertised starting amounts do not establish these terms.[6]
• Compliance details: use the current Ontario Fire Code and its adopted NFPA references, then confirm local requirements, the qualifications appropriate to the work, inspection and cleaning scope, and the records the fire authority or other responsible party requires. Do not infer a universal mandatory certificate format or technician licence from a vendor page.[1]

Use a pass-or-revise quote checklist

Compare written scopes before totals. Pass a quote only if it:

1. Inventories every canopy, filter set, plenum, duct section, access point and exhaust fan.[2][3][4][5]
2. Marks where cleaning ends, including inaccessible or shared-duct sections.[3][4][6]
3. Assigns pricing and responsibility for missing or damaged access panels and gaskets.[2][5]
4. Lists equipment protection, shutdown, suppression procedures and wastewater collection.[3][5]
5. Requires reassembly, fan-operation testing and an airflow check.[5]
6. Defines component-level photographs, deficiencies, corrective actions, technician details and signed records.[5]
7. States exclusions, pricing assumptions, contract terms and cancellation conditions.

Return the quote for revision if it says only “hood cleaning,” leaves accessible-duct endpoints unidentified, ignores access repairs or offers only a generic certificate.[2][3][4][6]

References

1. Ontario — 2026 Fire Code Compendium, current to 1 January 2026 (on.ca)
2. Restaurant Hood Cleaning Ontario 2026 | NFPA 96 Service (hood-cleaning.ca)
3. NFPA 96 Hood Cleaning: The Complete Compliance Guide for Ontario Restaurants – Hood Cleaning Masters (hoodcleaningmasters.ca)
4. Commercial Cleaning for Ontario Restaurants: What Your Vendor Scope Is Missing | Power Hoods Systems (powerhoodssystems.ca)
5. Kitchen Fire Safety: NFPA 96 Compliance Requirements for Restaurants – Robinhood Cleaners (robinhoodcleaners.ca)
6. Restaurant Hood Cleaning Toronto | Overnight Exhaust Cleaning (hoodcleaningtoronto.ca)