Choosing a TR19 Cleaning Company: 7 Questions to Ask

The TR19 cleaning market in the UK is unregulated. Any company can claim to offer TR19 cleaning — but not all of them are qualified to produce the documentation your insurer requires. Appointing the wrong contractor can leave you with an invalid certificate, a non-compliant extraction system, and potentially voided insurance.

These seven questions will help you identify a competent TR19 contractor and protect your business.

Question 1: Are You Trained to the BESA TR19 Standard?

This is the most fundamental question. The BESA TR19 standard requires that cleaning is carried out by trained operatives using appropriate equipment and techniques. Ask the contractor:

What training have your operatives completed?
Are you familiar with the BESA TR19 guidance document?
Can you demonstrate that your cleaning methodology meets the TR19 standard?

A competent contractor will be able to answer these questions clearly and confidently. If they are vague or cannot explain their methodology, look elsewhere.

Question 2: What Does Your Service Report Include?

The TR19 service report is the document your insurer needs to confirm compliance. A compliant report must include:

Before-and-after photography of every section of the system
Deposit thickness measurements (before and after)
A compliance statement confirming the system meets the TR19 standard
The date of the clean and the contractor's details
The recommended date for the next clean

Ask the contractor to show you an example service report from a previous job. If it does not include all of these elements, it may not satisfy your insurer's requirements.

Question 3: Do You Carry Public Liability Insurance?

Any contractor working on your premises should carry adequate public liability insurance. For TR19 cleaning, the minimum acceptable level is typically £2 million, though £5 million is more appropriate given the potential consequences of a fire.

Ask for a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate and check:

The level of cover
The expiry date
Whether the policy covers extraction system cleaning specifically

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene carries £5 million public liability insurance as standard.

Question 4: How Do You Determine the Cleaning Frequency?

A competent TR19 contractor should be able to advise you on the appropriate cleaning frequency for your specific kitchen operation. This requires them to assess:

Your cooking type and volume
The TR19 risk category that applies to your kitchen
Your insurance policy requirements

If a contractor quotes you a fixed annual cleaning schedule without asking about your cooking operation, they may not be applying the TR19 standard correctly.

Question 5: How Do You Handle Inaccessible Ductwork?

Inaccessible ductwork is a common issue, particularly in older premises. If sections of your ductwork cannot be accessed for cleaning, they cannot be certified as compliant.

A competent contractor should:

Identify all inaccessible sections during the site survey
Recommend the installation of additional access panels where required
Document inaccessible sections in the service report with an explanation

Be wary of contractors who claim to clean the "full system" without identifying any access issues — this may indicate that they are not inspecting the ductwork properly.

Question 6: Do You Offer Out-of-Hours Service?

Most commercial kitchen operators cannot afford to close during trading hours for a TR19 clean. A good TR19 contractor should be able to work around your trading hours, including evenings and weekends.

Ask:

Do you offer evening and weekend cleaning?
Is there an additional charge for out-of-hours work?
How much notice do you need to schedule an out-of-hours clean?

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene offers out-of-hours cleaning as standard, with no minimum notice requirement for scheduled cleans.

Question 7: Can You Review My Insurance Policy Requirements?

This is the question that separates BlueTick Extraction Hygiene from every other TR19 contractor in the UK.

Our founder holds CII (Chartered Insurance Institute) qualifications and works alongside Focus Insurance Services, an FCA-regulated commercial insurance brokerage. This means we can review your insurance policy and confirm that your cleaning schedule and documentation meet your insurer's specific requirements.

No other TR19 cleaning company offers this level of insurance expertise. It is the reason our clients trust us to protect their business — not just clean their extraction system.

A Summary Checklist

Before appointing a TR19 cleaning contractor, confirm that they can answer yes to all of the following:

Question — What to Look For
--- — ---
TR19 training — Qualified operatives, knowledge of BESA standard
Service report — Includes photos, measurements, compliance statement
Public liability — Minimum £2M, ideally £5M
Frequency advice — Based on your cooking type and policy requirements
Access issues — Identifies and resolves inaccessible ductwork
Out-of-hours — Available for evening/weekend cleaning
Insurance review — Can confirm your documentation meets policy requirements

Why Choose BlueTick Extraction Hygiene?

BlueTick Extraction Hygiene was founded specifically to address the gap between TR19 cleaning and insurance compliance. Our CII-qualified founder understands exactly what insurers require — and our service reports are designed to satisfy underwriter compliance checks.

We serve commercial kitchens across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire. Contact us for a free site survey and we will assess your extraction system, advise on the appropriate cleaning frequency, and review your insurance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a formal accreditation scheme for TR19 contractors?

BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) operates a membership scheme, and some insurers prefer BESA-registered contractors. However, BESA membership is not a legal requirement for TR19 cleaning. The key requirement is that the contractor is trained to the TR19 standard and can produce compliant documentation.

Q: How do I know if my current contractor's reports are TR19-compliant?

Check whether the report includes before-and-after photography, deposit thickness measurements, and a compliance statement. If any of these elements are missing, the report may not satisfy your insurer's requirements. Contact us if you would like us to review your existing documentation.

Q: Can I switch TR19 contractors mid-year?

Yes. There is no obligation to stay with your current contractor. If you are not satisfied with the quality of documentation or service, you can switch at any time. We will carry out a full system assessment when we take over a new client to establish a baseline condition.