EXPERIENCED CAREER
HOOD CLEANING BUSINESS OWNER / OPERATOR.
The exit ramp from every other career on this list. Once you've led crews for 2–3 years, the economics of launching your own shop are hard to argue with — a solo owner-operator clears $120–$180k on 3–4 jobs a week.
$90k–$250k+ as owner; ceiling depends on geography and business savvy
PATHWAY
How to get in
Four steps, in order. Skipping steps is possible but rarely recommended — every shortcut costs you on the back end.
- 1
Field experience as a tech
You cannot skip this step. Every owner who tried has stories about the job they underbid or the containment failure that cost them a client.
- 2
CECS + insurance + LLC
Get CECS for credibility. $1M/$2M GL plus inland marine for your equipment. LLC to separate personal and business liability. Budget $1,500 all-in for legal/insurance setup.
- 3
Pick a tier ($3k / $10k / $30k)
See the Starter Pack — the capital decision on day one determines which clients you can credibly pursue.
- 4
Land 3–5 recurring accounts
The game is recurring revenue. Three restaurants on a quarterly cadence = $4–6k/month. Five = full-time. Seven and you're hiring.
PROS & CONS
Honest trade-offs
What you'll like
- Highest income ceiling in the trade
- Equity value — a 3-crew operation sells for 2–3x EBITDA
- You pick your clients, routes, and schedule
What you won't
- First year is brutal on cash and sleep
- Bad hires can break you — training a tech who ghosts is expensive
- You're the salesperson, operator, bookkeeper, and recruiter
CREDENTIALS THAT MATTER
Certifications for this path
IKECA
IKECA Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS)
The most widely recognized hood cleaning certification in North America. CECS proves you understand NFPA 96, safe chemical use, containment, and documentation.
Power Washers of North America
PWNA Environmental Wash Contractor (EWC)
Wastewater-capture certification. Becomes mandatory the moment you work rooftops in any municipality with storm-drain rules — which is most of them.
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ADJACENT CAREERS
Where this path leads
WANT THE FASTEST PATH TO STARTING YOUR OWN SHOP?
The three-tier Starter Pack lays out the exact capital, equipment, certifications, and first-year revenue you can expect at $3k, $10k, and $30k of starting investment.
SEE THE STARTER PACK →