How to Choose a TR19 Kitchen Extraction Cleaning Company: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Book
How to Choose a TR19 Cleaning Company: 7 Questions to Ask Before You Book
Not all TR19 cleaning companies are equal. The market includes genuine specialists who produce insurer-grade compliance documentation — and companies that produce certificates that look professional but do not contain the information your insurer actually requires.
The difference matters. If your TR19 certificate is rejected by your insurer at renewal, or at the point of a claim, the consequences can be severe. This guide gives you 7 questions to ask any TR19 cleaning company before you book — and explains what the right answers look like.
Question 1: Are You a Member of a Recognised Trade Body?
The two main trade bodies for kitchen extraction cleaning in the UK are:
- BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) — the organisation that publishes the TR19 standard
- NAADUK (National Association of Air Duct Cleaners UK)
Membership of either of these bodies indicates that the company has committed to operating to industry standards and is subject to a code of conduct. Some commercial kitchen insurers specifically require TR19 certificates to be produced by a BESA or NAADUK member.
What to look for: The company should be able to confirm their membership number and the body they belong to. You can verify membership directly with BESA or NAADUK.
Question 2: Do You Produce a Full PCVR with Micron Readings?
A Post-Clean Verification Report (PCVR) is the formal documentation of a TR19 clean. A compliant PCVR must include pre- and post-clean grease deposit thickness measurements (measured in microns) at multiple points throughout the extraction system.
Many companies produce a document that looks like a TR19 certificate but does not include micron readings. This type of document will not satisfy the majority of commercial kitchen insurers — particularly if a claim arises.
What to look for: Ask to see a sample PCVR before you book. It should include a table of pre- and post-clean micron readings at named inspection points throughout the system.
Question 3: Do You Take Before-and-After Photographs?
Dated before-and-after photographs of the extraction system interior are a requirement of a compliant TR19 clean. The photographs must show the condition of the system before the clean, and confirm that the system has been cleaned to the required standard after the clean.
Some companies take photographs of the canopy only — not the ductwork interior. This is insufficient. The photographs must cover all sections of the system that were cleaned.
What to look for: Ask whether the PCVR includes dated photographs of the ductwork interior, not just the canopy. Ask how many inspection points are photographed.
Question 4: Do You Carry Out an Access Panel Assessment?
Access panels are required at maximum 3-metre intervals along horizontal ductwork runs, at every change of direction, and at the fan inlet and outlet. Without adequate access panels, it is impossible to clean the entire ductwork to TR19 standard.
A genuine TR19 specialist will carry out an access panel assessment as part of the site survey and will flag any deficiencies before the clean. A company that does not mention access panels may be cleaning only the sections of the ductwork that are easily accessible — leaving non-compliant deposits in inaccessible sections.
What to look for: Ask whether the company carries out an access panel assessment before the clean, and what they do if the system does not have adequate access panels.
Question 5: What Insurance Do You Carry?
A TR19 cleaning company working on your premises should carry adequate public liability insurance. The minimum acceptable level for commercial kitchen cleaning work is £5 million public liability cover.
You should also ask whether the company carries professional indemnity insurance — this covers claims arising from errors or omissions in the compliance documentation they produce.
What to look for: Ask for a copy of the company's public liability insurance certificate. Check the level of cover and the expiry date.
Question 6: Can You Liaise with My Insurer Directly?
If your insurer has specific requirements for the TR19 certificate format, or if a compliance question arises at renewal or at the point of a claim, it is valuable to have a cleaning company that can liaise directly with your insurer.
Most cleaning companies cannot do this — they produce a standard certificate and leave you to deal with any insurer queries yourself. A company with insurance expertise can review your specific policy, format the documentation to satisfy your insurer's exact requirements, and communicate directly with the insurer if needed.
What to look for: Ask whether the company has insurance industry expertise and whether they can liaise with your insurer on your behalf.
Question 7: Do You Offer a Cleaning Programme with Reminders?
TR19 compliance is not a one-off event — it is an ongoing obligation. The most common reason for TR19 non-compliance is not deliberate neglect, but simply forgetting to book the next clean.
A genuine TR19 specialist will offer a cleaning programme — a scheduled series of cleans at the required frequency — with reminders before each clean is due. This ensures you never miss a clean and always have a current compliance certificate.
What to look for: Ask whether the company offers a cleaning programme and how they manage reminders. A company that simply takes your money and leaves you to remember the next clean is not providing a full compliance service.
How BlueTick Answers These Questions
At BlueTick Extraction Hygiene, we are transparent about our credentials and our approach:
- Question — BlueTick Answer
- --- — ---
- Trade body membership — BESA member — verifiable
- Full PCVR with micron readings — Yes — included in every clean
- Before-and-after photographs — Yes — all sections, dated
- Access panel assessment — Yes — carried out at every site survey
- Public liability insurance — £5M — certificate available on request
- Insurer liaison — Yes — CII-qualified founder
- Cleaning programme with reminders — Yes — scheduled programme for all clients
Our CII-qualified founder brings a level of insurance expertise that is unique in the TR19 cleaning market. We do not just clean your extraction system — we ensure the documentation we produce will be accepted by your insurer, at renewal and in the event of a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to pay for a TR19 clean?
For a small to medium commercial kitchen, a TR19 clean typically costs between £250 and £600. For larger or more complex systems, the cost can range from £600 to £1,500 or more. Be wary of very low prices — a company charging significantly less than the market rate may be cutting corners on the clean itself or the documentation.
How do I know if a TR19 certificate is genuine?
A genuine TR19 certificate will include the cleaning company's name and trade body membership number, the date of the clean, pre- and post-clean micron readings, dated photographs, and a signed technician declaration. If any of these elements are missing, the certificate may not be accepted by your insurer.
What if my current cleaning company cannot answer these questions?
If your current cleaning company cannot answer these questions satisfactorily, it may be worth switching to a company that can. The cost of a rejected insurance claim far outweighs the cost of switching to a more qualified cleaning company.
BlueTick Extraction Hygiene provides TR19 kitchen extraction cleaning across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. Call us on 07840 992 246 or request a free site survey.