I've started 2 hood cleaning companies. The first one I overspent on equipment. The second one I bought lean and reinvested the savings into marketing. The second company grew 4x faster.
Here's the gear that actually matters.
Tier 1 — Must-have on day 1
Hot water pressure washer (4000 PSI / 4 GPM, diesel-fired)
This is your #1 piece of equipment. Cold water won't cut grease. Get diesel-fired (not gas) — you'll thank me when you're cleaning at 5 AM in the parking lot of a 24-hour diner. Brands I trust: Hotsy, Karcher Professional, Mi-T-M.
Cost: $4,500-8,000 new. $2,500-4,500 used.
Containment system
Tarps, plates, plastic wraps to protect the kitchen. Cheap to buy, expensive if you skip it. A bad cleaning tech who soaks a kitchen with grease water once costs you the customer.
Cost: $200-400 starter set.
Grease containment / wastewater system
Don't dump grease water in the parking lot drain. Most cities will fine you $5,000+ if caught. Buy a 3-stage filtration system or a tote tank with filtration.
Cost: $300-700.
PPE per technician
Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, slip-resistant boots, full Tyvek suits, respirators (when using stronger degreasers). Required by OSHA. Cost ~$200-400/tech, 1-time + replacement.
Chemicals — degreaser + neutralizer
Don't cheap out here. Industrial degreaser (sodium hydroxide based) is the workhorse. Neutralizer prevents corrosion damage to the metal. Expect to use 1 gallon of each per 5-10 jobs.
Cost: $100-200/month starting out.
Hand tools
Putty knives, scrapers, brass brushes (don't use steel — sparks), nylon brushes. $150-300 starter set.
Camera with date stamp / cloud sync (or app)
Every job needs date-stamped before/after photos. Don't trust a tech's personal phone. Buy a cheap rugged smartphone for the company OR use software like MCR System that handles photos with metadata automatically.
Tier 2 — Buy in month 2-6
- Cargo van or covered trailer — used Ford Transit or enclosed 6x12 trailer. $5,000-25,000.
- Generator (3000-5000W) — for jobs without on-site power. $400-1,200.
- Ladders + roof access kit — extension ladder, roof anchor, harness, lanyards. $400-1,000.
- Vacuum (wet/dry, 12-16 gallon) — for grease residue cleanup. $200-500.
- Replacement filter media — keep stock. Customers pay extra for clean filters.
Tier 3 — Buy when you have steady revenue
- Second pressure washer (backup + 2-tech jobs)
- Branded uniforms — looks pro at the customer site
- Vehicle wraps — your trucks become rolling billboards
- Backup generator
- Specialty tools for fan motor service
What I wish I hadn't bought
- $3,500 hood cleaning robot — gimmick. Slow. Couldn't reach the corners.
- Custom toolbox $1,200 — a $200 Home Depot one worked the same.
- Fancy chemicals — $200/gallon "premium" degreasers don't outperform the $35/gallon standard ones.
- Used equipment older than 5 years — pressure washers especially. Unreliable. Each breakdown costs you a job.
The total starting investment
Realistic minimum to start a hood cleaning company in 2026:
- Pressure washer (used, good condition): $3,500
- Containment + grease tank: $700
- Hand tools + chemicals starter: $400
- PPE for 1 tech: $300
- Used cargo van: $8,000
- Insurance (first quarter): $2,000
- License, LLC, certification: $2,500
Total: ~$17,000-20,000 to start. You can lower this by leasing the truck or starting with a trailer + family pickup.
The hidden cost most owners miss: software.
You can save $2,000+ per year on paper, postage, missed appointments, and lost photos by using MCR System. Free 30-day trial — no credit card.
Start with MCR System →— Darlan Posso, CEO, MCR System
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