What to Expect in a Commercial Cleaning Contract
You've gotten quotes, done walkthroughs, and picked a cleaning company. Now they've sent you a contract. Before you sign, you need to understand what should be in it — and what's missing if it's not.
What Every Cleaning Contract Should Include
- Scope of work. A room-by-room, task-by-task list of what's cleaned and how often. Not "clean the office" — specific items like "vacuum all carpeted areas, mop hard floors, disinfect restrooms, empty trash." If it's not in the scope, it's not included.
- Pricing and payment terms. Monthly or per-visit rate, when invoices are issued, payment due dates, and any late fees. Look for clarity on whether supplies are included or billed separately.
- Frequency and schedule. Which days, what time window, and what happens if a scheduled cleaning falls on a holiday.
- Insurance and bonding proof. The contract should reference their insurance policy and provide a certificate of insurance (COI) as an attachment.
- Cancellation terms. How much notice is required to cancel? Is there a penalty? Month-to-month is ideal — avoid long lock-in contracts with stiff early termination fees.
- Quality assurance. What happens if you're not satisfied? Is there a re-clean policy? Who do you contact? How fast is the response?
Red Flags in a Cleaning Contract
- No written scope — just a price and a handshake
- Multi-year commitment with heavy cancellation penalties
- No mention of insurance or refusal to provide COI
- Auto-renewal clauses with short opt-out windows
- "Supplies extra" without specifying which supplies or estimated cost
Negotiating the Contract
Everything in a cleaning contract is negotiable. If you want month-to-month instead of annual, ask. If you want a 30-day satisfaction window before committing, ask. A company confident in its service quality won't need to lock you in. For reference, review our terms of service to see how we structure our agreements.
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