It’s natural to want a rough figure before you pick up the phone. The trouble with kitchen extract cleaning is that the visible part, the canopy, tells you very little about the job. The size and shape of the ductwork, how much grease is in it, how easy it is to reach and when the work has to be done all change the time and labour involved.
So instead of quoting numbers that may not fit your kitchen, this guide explains the factors that shape the price and what a good fixed quote should cover. That way you can compare quotes on what they actually include. Duct Doctor doesn’t publish prices. We survey first and give a fixed price before we start.
Why there’s no standard price
A TR19® Grease clean covers the whole system: canopy, plenum, filters, ductwork, risers, extract fan and discharge. Two kitchens with identical canopies can have completely different systems behind them. One might have a short straight duct to an outside wall. Another might have a long run through ceilings and a riser up six floors to a roof fan.
That’s why a sensible quote starts with a survey, either from photos and details or a site visit. See our pre-clean surveys page.
The size and layout of the system
The biggest factor is how much system there is to clean:
- the number and size of canopies;
- the length of horizontal duct runs;
- the height of any risers;
- the number of bends, branches and junctions;
- the number of extract fans and attenuators.
Longer, more complex systems take more time and often more people. Shared risers and roof-level fans add work too, because the team may need to set up in more than one place. A system schematic, or even a few photos of where the duct goes, helps us plan this properly.
How much grease is in it
A system cleaned regularly to the BESA intervals is quicker to clean than one that has been left for years. Heavy, baked-on deposits take much longer to remove than a thin, soft film. A first clean on a neglected system is usually the biggest job; later cleans on a regular cycle tend to be more predictable.
Grease readings from a survey give a clear idea of what to expect. Our guide to grease thickness testing explains how they’re taken.
Access to the ductwork
Ductwork is cleaned through access panels. Where there are enough panels in the right places, cleaning is straightforward. Where there aren’t, some sections can’t be reached until new panels are fitted.
Access also covers the building itself: ceiling tiles to lift, risers in shared spaces, roof fans that need safe access, or ducts that run through another tenant’s premises. A quote should say whether new access panels are recommended and whether they’re included.
Need it done? Duct Doctor cleans and tests kitchen extract and ventilation systems across London and the South East, with a certificate and photo report after every clean. Get a fixed quote.
When the work has to happen
Kitchens are cleaned when they’re closed, so cooking equipment is off and cool. For many sites that means evenings, overnight, early mornings or weekends. Schools often use holidays.
Timing affects the plan and the size of the team needed to finish within the window you have. Tell us your closing hours and any times the kitchen can’t be touched, and we’ll build the quote around them. We work evenings, overnight and at weekends.
Other things that change the scope
- Extract fan condition. A fan that needs repair or replacement is extra work; see extract fan repair.
- Fire dampers in the duct, which may need testing at the same visit.
- Odour control units, such as carbon filters, UV or electrostatic units, which need their own maintenance.
- Kitchen deep cleaning of walls, floors, ceilings and equipment, often booked alongside.
- Grease traps, which some sites have cleaned on the same visit.
- Site requirements, such as permits, inductions or escorts in hospitals, schools and secure buildings.
What a fixed quote should include
A good quote for kitchen extract cleaning should tell you, in writing:
- which parts of the system are included, from canopy to discharge;
- any parts excluded, and why;
- whether new access panels are recommended and whether they’re included;
- that grease readings will be taken before and after;
- that a TR19® certificate and a photo report are included;
- when the work will be done and roughly how long it will take;
- how the kitchen will be protected and how waste will be removed;
- the fixed price and whether VAT is included.
If any of that is missing, ask. A fixed price means you know the cost before the work starts.
Comparing quotes fairly
When two quotes are far apart, the two firms are usually planning different jobs. Check whether both include the whole system or only the canopy and filters; our guide to canopy-only vs full cleans explains why that matters. Check both include a certificate and photo report, and ask whether each firm is a member of the Vent Hygiene Register.
A clean that leaves grease in the duct may cost less on the day and much more after a fire or a refused claim. Ask each firm the same questions and compare the answers side by side.
Keeping costs predictable
Regular cleaning on the right cycle stops grease building up into a heavy, slow job. A maintenance contract on a 3, 6 or 12-monthly plan fixes the schedule and the scope, which makes budgeting easier. Keeping filters clean between visits helps too.
For a fixed quote, send us photos of the canopy, filters and any access panels you can see, or book a survey. We usually quote within one working day.
Quick answers
How much does kitchen extract cleaning cost?
It depends on the size and layout of the system, the grease level, access and timing. Call for a fixed quote after a quick survey.
Why won’t you give a price over the phone?
Because the ductwork behind the canopy decides the job. We survey from photos or a visit first, then give a fixed price before we start.
Is the first clean usually the biggest?
Often, yes. A system that hasn’t been cleaned for a long time has heavier deposits. Later cleans on a regular cycle tend to be more predictable.
Are access panels included in the quote?
They should be listed separately if they’re needed, so you can see what’s recommended and why.
How quickly can I get a quote?
Duct Doctor usually quotes within one working day of receiving photos or completing a survey.
Related services
More advice
- How to Choose a Kitchen Extract Cleaning Contractor
- Canopy-Only Cleaning vs a Full TR19 Clean
- Pre-Clean Surveys: What to Expect
- Duct Access Panels: Why They Matter for TR19
- How Often Should a Kitchen Extract Be Cleaned?
- All advice
This guide is general information. It isn’t legal or insurance advice: check your own policy wording and lease, and speak to a qualified adviser about your fire risk assessment.