Commercial Jetting — How to Price, Bid, and Win Jobs That Pay You What You’re Worth

Updated August 2026 | By HotJet USA

Commercial jetting is where the real money is. A residential drain call might net you $300—$500. A commercial account on contract? That same equipment earns $1,500—$6,000 per visit, and the calls come back every quarter without you having to chase them. But most plumbers and drain cleaning contractors leave that money on the table because they don’t know how to price the work or what it takes to close those accounts. This guide fixes that.

Table of Contents

  1. What “Commercial Jetting” Actually Means
  2. Per-Foot vs. Flat Rate: Which Pricing Model Wins?
  3. How to Price Commercial Jetting Jobs
  4. The Commercial Accounts Worth Going After
  5. How to Close Restaurant and Property Management Contracts
  6. Equipment Requirements: What Commercial Accounts Expect
  7. Frequently Asked Questions

What “Commercial Jetting” Actually Means

Commercial jetting covers any hydro jetting work outside single-family residential—restaurants, apartment complexes, office buildings, industrial facilities, municipalities, and retail centers. The pipes are bigger, the blockages are tougher, and the contracts are recurring.

This is not the same world as calling a homeowner back about a slow kitchen drain. Commercial customers expect:

  • Faster response times — usually 4—24 hours, sometimes emergency same-day
  • Documentation — written reports, before/after camera footage, service records
  • Consistent pricing — contracts with set rates, not per-call guesswork
  • The right equipment — high-GPM hot water jetters that actually clear F.O.G. and root intrusion at commercial scale

If you show up to a restaurant grease trap call with a cold water machine and a residential-grade jetter, you’ll get the job done once. You won’t get the contract.

Per-Foot vs. Flat Rate: Which Pricing Model Wins?

This is the question every contractor asks when they start bidding commercial work. The honest answer: both models work—in different situations. Here’s how to decide.

Pricing Model Best For Typical Rate Watch Out For
Per-Foot New locations, unknown pipe condition, long main lines $3—$8/ft (light cleaning) up to $10—$15/ft (heavy blockage) Customers hate unpredictability—cap the estimate
Flat Rate Per Visit Recurring contracts, known locations, restaurants on PM schedules $500—$2,500/visit depending on scope Underestimating scope kills margins—inspect before you quote
Hourly + Materials Industrial, municipal, complex unknowns $125—$250/hr for the crew and machine Customers resist open-ended billing; always cap with a not-to-exceed
Annual Contract Property managers, restaurant groups, apartment complexes $3,000—$25,000+/year per property Build in mobilization minimums and emergency call surcharges

Pro tip from contractors who run these contracts: Start new accounts on per-foot or flat-rate per visit. Once you know the property—pipe sizes, problem areas, call frequency—convert them to an annual agreement. That’s where the real revenue locks in.

How to Price Commercial Jetting Jobs

You can’t price what you haven’t scoped. Before you quote anything, get eyes on the job. That means a camera run—or at minimum a walk-through with the facilities manager. Here’s a simple framework:

The Commercial Jetting Pricing Formula

  • Step 1 — Mobilization: Charge a flat mobilization fee to cover drive time, fuel, and setup. Typically $75—$200 depending on distance. Never eat this.
  • Step 2 — Footage or Scope: How many feet of pipe? What diameter? 4-inch lateral vs. 8-inch main vs. 12-inch trunk line all price differently. More pipe = more time = more money.
  • Step 3 — Blockage Type: Grease (F.O.G.) requires hot water and multiple passes. Root intrusion takes longer and wears nozzles faster. Scale and mineral deposits may need specialty chemicals like Total-C. Price accordingly.
  • Step 4 — Camera Documentation: Always upsell a camera run. Charge $150—$400 for pre/post documentation. It protects you legally and gives the customer proof of work.
  • Step 5 — Recurring Premium: Emergency calls, weekend calls, and same-day service should carry a 25—50% surcharge. Put it in the contract language upfront.

A restaurant with 200 feet of 4-inch grease lines, quarterly service, camera documentation: you should be quoting $800—$1,500 per visit, or $3,200—$6,000 per year. If you’re quoting less, you’re leaving money behind—or you’ll burn out running jobs that don’t cover your costs.

The Commercial Accounts Worth Going After

Not all commercial jetting work is equal. Some accounts are gold. Others are a grind. Here’s how to rank them:

  • Restaurants and Food Service — F.O.G. accumulates every week. These need jetting monthly or quarterly, no exceptions. Hot water jetter required. High frequency, high revenue per visit, high retention when you do good work.
  • Apartment Complexes and HOAs — Multiple laterals, recurring clogs, and a facilities manager who just wants the problem gone. Get on their approved vendor list and you’ll get consistent calls year-round.
  • Commercial Property Management Companies — One contact, multiple properties. Win one property manager and you could have 10—30 buildings on your schedule. These are the accounts worth spending real time to close.
  • Industrial Facilities — Larger pipe, tougher conditions, but bigger day rates. Require the right equipment—minimum 10 GPM at 4,000 PSI for most industrial drain cleaning applications.
  • Municipalities — City and county sewer maintenance contracts are long-term, but the bidding process takes time. HotJet USA is a GSA-certified contractor—our machines already meet government procurement specs.

How to Close Restaurant and Property Management Contracts

Cold-calling gets you nowhere. Referrals and walk-ins get you everything. Here’s what works:

For Restaurant Accounts

Walk in during slow hours (2—4 PM). Ask for the owner or manager—not the host. Say: “I specialize in grease drain cleaning for restaurants. I can do a free camera inspection of your floor drain lines and give you a written report. Takes 20 minutes. No obligation.”

Half will say yes. Of those, most will have a problem they didn’t know about. You’ve just become the person who found it. Close the first job and show up on time, do clean work, and give them a one-page service report. You’ll get the contract.

For Property Management Companies

Target mid-size property management firms—20 to 200 units. They’re big enough to need you regularly but small enough that the owner is still making vendor decisions. LinkedIn and local apartment association directories are gold mines.

Lead with your response time and documentation. Property managers get burned by contractors who disappear or don’t provide records. If you can say “we respond within 4 hours and deliver a written service report every visit,” you’ll stand out immediately.

Learn more about landing these contracts in our guide on 7 Startup Tips for Drain Cleaning Businesses.

Equipment Requirements: What Commercial Accounts Expect

If you’re serious about commercial jetting, your equipment has to match. Most commercial contracts—especially restaurants and municipalities—require minimum specs. Here’s the baseline:

  • Minimum 10 GPM at 3,500—4,000 PSI — This is the entry point for real commercial work. Under 10 GPM and you’re fighting grease and root balls with a garden hose.
  • Hot water capability — Hot water jetters are non-negotiable for restaurant grease trap work. Cold water doesn’t emulsify F.O.G.—it just pushes it downstream and you’re back next month.
  • Adequate hose length — 300+ feet for most commercial applications. Municipal main lines may require 500 feet or more.
  • Proper nozzle selection — Rotating nozzles for scale and mineral deposits, Warthog nozzles for heavy grease, penetrating nozzles for soft blockages. Showing up with one nozzle for every job is a beginner move.
  • Camera system — The Ultimate Drain Cleaning Package includes a 200-ft camera, locator, and jetter in one purchase. Commercial accounts that require documentation need this.

The HotJet II (10 GPM at 4,000 PSI, 35HP Vanguard, starting at $52,995) is the workhorse for most commercial jetting operations. For large-diameter mains and municipal work, the HotJet III dual engine (18 GPM at 4,000 PSI) is the right tool. Don’t underbuy—showing up to a commercial account with under-spec equipment costs you the contract and your reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for commercial hydro jetting?

It depends on scope, but most commercial jetting runs $500—$2,500 per visit for a standard restaurant or apartment building. Annual contracts for multiple visits typically run $3,000—$25,000+ per property. Always scope the job before quoting—a camera run protects your margins and builds trust with the client.

Do I need a hot water jetter for commercial drain cleaning?

Yes, if you’re doing restaurant or food service work. F.O.G. (fats, oils, and grease) cannot be properly cleared with cold water—it solidifies as it moves and re-coats the pipe walls. Hot water emulsifies grease on contact. For non-grease commercial applications (roots, scale, sediment), cold water jetters can work, but a hot water machine gives you more versatility and opens more account types.

What’s the difference between per-foot and flat-rate pricing for jetting?

Per-foot pricing is better for new accounts where you don’t know the scope—it protects your margins on tougher jobs. Flat-rate per visit works well for established recurring accounts where you know exactly what’s needed. Most experienced contractors start new accounts on per-foot and convert them to flat-rate contracts once they understand the property.

How do I get my first commercial jetting contract?

Start with a free or low-cost camera inspection as your foot in the door. Restaurants and property managers respond to proof of a problem—once you’ve shown them what’s in their pipes, the service call sells itself. Focus on response time, documentation, and consistent pricing. Those three things separate professional contractors from one-off calls.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Call HotJet USA today at 1-800-624-8186 to talk with a jetter expert. Whether you’re buying your first jetter or upgrading your fleet, we’ll help you find the right machine for your business. Visit hotjetusa.com to explore our full lineup.

HotJet USA is the manufacturer of trailer mounted sewer and drain line jetters. For over 25 years, we’ve specialized in hot and cold water hydro jetting equipment — trailer mounted, skid mounted, and truck mounted. We also offer comprehensive jetter training classes. Call today for expert advice!