Cleaning Service Contract Template

What a cleaning contract is really for

Most disputes in a cleaning business are one of three conversations. The client cancels late, the client pays slowly, or you arrive and cannot get in. A contract settles each of those in advance, calmly, before anyone is annoyed. Written after an incident, the same rule reads as a punishment aimed at one person.

It also answers the question that causes the most friction on recurring work, which is what the price includes. "Could you also do the oven?" is a fair question. Without a written scope it quietly becomes free work.

Scope, price and payment clauses

The scope clause should reference your checklist rather than trying to describe every task in legal language. State the frequency, the areas included, the areas excluded, and how extras are priced. For commercial work, list the frequency of each task, since a facilities manager will compare it with what they asked for.

The payment clause names the price, when it is due, how it is paid, and what happens when it is late. A workable pattern is payment on the day for residential work and a set number of days on invoice for commercial, with a plain statement that further cleans pause while an invoice is overdue.

Cancellation, access and damage

The cancellation clause gives the notice period (24 or 48 hours is common) and what is charged inside it, often half the clean. The access clause says how you get in, what happens if you cannot, and how keys or codes are stored. Treat a locked-out trip as a late cancellation, because it costs you exactly the same.

The damage clause says how the client reports a problem, how quickly, and how you will respond, and it should match what your liability insurance actually covers. Many policies exclude certain items or wear and tear, so read yours before you promise anything.

Term and ending the agreement

For recurring clients, state how either side ends the agreement and how much notice is needed. For commercial contracts, add the contract length, when the price is reviewed, and what happens to keys and access cards at the end. A clear exit clause makes a client more willing to sign, not less.

If you use subcontractors or employees, say so in the agreement and state that your insurance covers the people you send. Commercial clients will often ask for a certificate of insurance naming them, and some will ask about a janitorial bond. Knowing these requests are coming lets you arrange them before the contract, rather than holding up a signature while you call your insurer.

A filled-in example

Mistakes to avoid

• Describing the scope as "general cleaning". Vague scope is what lets extras creep in for free. Attach or reference your checklist and list the exclusions.
• Writing a cancellation fee you never charge. An unenforced fee teaches clients it is not real. Charge it the first time, politely, and explain why it exists.
• Promising more than your insurance covers. A damage clause that promises to replace anything broken may commit you beyond your policy. Match the wording to your coverage.
• Copying a contract written for another state. Terms that work in one place may not work in another. Use this structure, then have the final wording checked locally for larger contracts.