What is the average cost to install a kitchen exhaust system in a Toronto restaurant?

A commercial kitchen exhaust system installation in a Toronto restaurant typically costs $15,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of the hood, the length of the exhaust duct run, fire suppression requirements, make-up air system complexity, and the extent of structural and electrical work needed. Commercial kitchen ventilation is a completely different scope than residential work — it involves engineered fire-rated ductwork, integrated fire suppression, high-powered exhaust fans, and strict compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code, and Toronto Public Health requirements.

The Type 1 grease hood — required over all commercial cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapours (fryers, grills, ranges, charbroilers) — is the centrepiece of the system. A standard stainless steel Type 1 hood with built-in grease baffles and lighting runs $3,000 to $10,000 depending on size, typically 4 to 16 feet long. The exhaust ductwork must be constructed from minimum 16-gauge (1.5 mm) carbon steel or 18-gauge stainless steel, welded at all seams (not screwed — screws collect grease and create leak points), and routed to the roof with proper clearances from combustible materials. Exhaust duct fabrication and installation costs $3,000 to $12,000 depending on the length of the run and number of penetrations through floors and the roof. The exhaust fan, mounted on the roof or exterior wall, costs $2,000 to $6,000 installed for a typical restaurant-size unit rated at 1,500 to 4,000 CFM.

Fire suppression is non-negotiable. An automatic fire suppression system (wet chemical type, such as Ansul or similar) integrated into the hood costs $3,000 to $8,000 installed, including nozzles positioned over each cooking station, agent tanks, manual pull stations, and automatic gas shut-off valves. The Ontario Fire Code requires fire suppression for all Type 1 hood installations, and the system must be inspected and tagged by a certified fire protection company every six months.

Make-up air is the hidden cost that surprises many restaurant owners. When you exhaust 2,000 to 4,000 CFM from a commercial kitchen, that air must be replaced. The Ontario Building Code requires a make-up air system that replaces 80 to 100% of exhausted air, and the incoming air must be tempered in winter — you cannot blow -20 degree Celsius outdoor air into a kitchen. A heated make-up air unit with ductwork, controls, and interlocking with the exhaust system adds $5,000 to $15,000 to the project. Many first-time restaurant owners underbudget this component.

Additional costs include Toronto building permits ($500 to $2,000 for commercial mechanical), electrical work by an ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractor for fan motors, controls, and interlocking ($1,500 to $4,000), gas piping modifications by a TSSA-registered contractor if needed, roof penetration and weatherproofing ($500 to $2,000), and engineering drawings if required by the building department ($1,000 to $3,000). Budget a minimum of $20,000 to $35,000 for a mid-size Toronto restaurant kitchen exhaust installation, and get quotes from commercial kitchen ventilation specialists — this is highly specialized work that general HVAC contractors may not be equipped to handle.