# How to Choose a Grease Trap Company: 8 Questions > How to choose a grease trap company in Tampa Bay: registrations, full pump-outs, manifests, measured depths, pricing terms and contract clauses to check. URL: https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/choosing-a-grease-trap-company/ Decision Guide # How Do You Choose a Grease Trap Company? Eight questions that separate a hauler who keeps you compliant from one who just empties the tank. Updated November 14, 2026 [Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/) suggests judging a grease trap company on eight points: the right registration for your address, a Florida DEP license, full pump-outs with no water returned, signed manifests, measured depths, a schedule built on your local rule, clear per-visit pricing, and a contract you can leave. Price comes last. ## The eight questions **1\. Are you registered for my address?** The City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Temple Terrace, Pinellas County and Pasco County each register or permit haulers. See [registered grease haulers](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/registered-grease-hauler-tampa/). **2\. What’s your DEP hauler license?** Florida licenses grease waste haulers under F.A.C. 62-705, renewed by March 1 each year. **3\. Do you pump to empty?** Florida has banned returning grease or gray water to the tank since July 2022, and Pinellas County bans decanting and skimming. A full pump-out removes grease, gray water and solids, and scrapes the walls and baffles. **4\. What will the manifest show?** It should list the volume removed, the unit’s condition, that nothing was returned, and the disposal facility’s ticket number, signed by both of you (F.S. 403.0741). **5\. Do you measure before pumping?** Grease and solids depth at each visit is the only evidence that your schedule works, and the basis for any variance. **6\. Which rule is my schedule built on?** The answer should name your jurisdiction’s limit: 30 days, 90 days, condition-based or city-set. Not a generic “every quarter”. **7\. How is it priced?** Per visit or per gallon, whether disposal is included, and the emergency premium, all in writing. Typical Tampa Bay ranges are in the [cost guide](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/grease-trap-cleaning-cost-tampa/). **8\. How do I leave?** Term length, auto-renewal and cancellation notice. ## Red flags - A price far below every other quote, with no mention of what’s removed - No manifest, or one without volumes and a disposal ticket number - A schedule that ignores your jurisdiction (“everyone does 90 days”) - Additives sold as a substitute for pumping. Tampa requires approval, and Clearwater bans emulsifiers. - Not on the City of Tampa list, or listed for traps only, when you have an interceptor ## Where reviews fit Reviews tell you about punctuality and communication. They don’t tell you whether a company pumps to empty or files correct manifests. Check the eight points first, then reviews. See [grease trap maintenance plans](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-maintenance-plans/). Bottom line Choose the company that is registered for your address, pumps to empty, measures and documents every visit, and prices it plainly. The cheapest skim costs more in repeat clogs and re-inspections. To ask us the same eight questions, call [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241). [Related service Grease Trap Maintenance Plans Scheduled pumping set by your jurisdiction's rule and how fast your unit actually fills, with the paperwork kept straight. See the service](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-maintenance-plans/)[Also related Grease Interceptor Pumping Outdoor interceptors pumped to empty, scraped and documented on the schedule your city or county enforces. See the service](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-interceptor-pumping/) Want a quote? [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) ## Questions about this ### Should I sign a long grease trap service contract? Read the term, renewal and cancellation clauses first. A schedule is worth having, but the price per visit, what counts as a visit, and how you leave should all be clear in writing. ### Is the cheapest grease trap company good enough? Check what the price includes. If it's a skim rather than a full pump-out, the tank fills back to its limit sooner and the outlet keeps clogging, so you pay more over a year. ### What should I check on the first visit? That the unit was pumped to empty, the depths before pumping were recorded, the walls and baffles were scraped, and you got a signed manifest with the disposal ticket number. ## More guides - [Do Grease Trap Enzymes Replace Pumping?What additives actually do, what each local program allows, and why none of them remove the need to pump.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/grease-trap-enzymes-vs-pumping/) - [How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned in Tampa Bay?Nine rule sets in one metro. Find the one your kitchen drains into, then check it against how fast your unit actually fills.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/how-often-grease-trap-cleaned-tampa-bay/) - [What Are Hillsborough County's Grease Trap Requirements?The county rule for Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood, Town 'n' Country and the rest of unincorporated Hillsborough, and how it differs from the City of Tampa's.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/hillsborough-county-grease-trap-rules/) - [What Does the City of Tampa Grease Ordinance Require?Chapter 26, Article VII in plain terms: who it covers, how often to clean and pump, what records to keep, and what happens after a violation.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/tampa-grease-management-ordinance/) - [Buying a Restaurant? Grease Trap Requirements to CheckWhy a change of ownership matters to the grease program, and the checks to make before you sign.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/buying-a-restaurant-grease-trap/) Get an exact price for your kitchen Two quick steps. We call back to confirm. Faster by phone: [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) Rather talk it through? Call now. Call any time. If we can't pick up, leave a message and you'll get a call back. [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) [Request a quote](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/contact/)