Cleaning your Kitchen Exhaust Systems (Hoods) is a very important service that needs to be done in your restaurant. It is also something that needs to be done on a specific service rotation, but it is often overlooked. If you want to prolong the life of your exhaust system and ensure that your facility is safe from a potential fire you must clean your hood system regularly. When searching for a service provider there are a couple of important things to consider.
- Insurance Coverage (Liability and Workman’s Comp Insurance)
An honest company will have 1 to 5 million dollars in liability insurance. This is one of the very first questions that should be asked, is there insurance coverage. Required by NFPA 96 code once your provider has completed the service they must mark the hood or system with a certificate stating the date the system was cleaned. This certificate holds the company liable if the hood or system does catch fire. It also covers your equipment and your system in the event that any damage occurs during regular services. The amount of the insurance that the company carries is extremely important; if you file a claim for damages caused by poor work. The workman’s comp insurance is to cover the company’s technicians in case they are injured while working in your location.
- Documentation Practices
All work must be documented and certified by the company. Many departments and companies such as the local fire departments, health departments and insurance companies require documentation that there is regular maintenance occurring in your facility so it may operate efficiently and safely. Besides the sticker, you should be receiving an invoice or form stating what work was performed and this should be provided to you anytime you request it. More reputable companies will offer photo documentation of the service showing before and after pictures, most often this is upon request only.
- Company Size
When it comes to facility maintenance the Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Industry is a very competitive area. Company sizes range from nationwide operations, mid-level regional operations, and smaller local operations.
Mid-level operations can usually be the best overall pick for service. They have a smaller customer list and limit their coverage area to a more manageable range. Compared to nationwide companies the service provided is the same and they have competitive rates for service. They can respond to customers in a timely manner and it also allows for a more personal relationship, due to the fact that they limit their coverage area. These mid-level companies often overshadow the larger and smaller companies because of customer relations, response times, and organization.
- Reputation
A good reputation is usually the deciding factor for most when deciding on a provider. Positive word of mouth feedback and an honest client list are usually good signs whether or not a provider will be able to meet your expectations.
Always obtain multiple bids to make sure the market value of your service is true, however pricing will vary depending on experience, quality of work and all the requirements stated in this article Remember this is going to be a long term relationship you will be creating.
When considering the best hood cleaning in Nogales, AZ - give us a call at 877.454.6790 for a free inspection and quote.