Question 1

What should a cleaning service contract include?

Accepted Answer

A thorough cleaning contract should cover the property address and description (residential or commercial, square footage, number of rooms), the specific cleaning tasks to be performed during each visit (vacuuming, mopping, bathroom sanitization, kitchen deep-cleaning, window washing, dusting surfaces), the frequency of service (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, one-time), the day and time window for each cleaning session, who provides cleaning supplies and equipment (the cleaner or the client), any products the client requires or prohibits (green-only products, no bleach near marble, specific disinfectants), key and alarm-code access protocols, the per-visit or monthly fee, payment terms and accepted methods, cancellation and rescheduling policies, insurance and bonding requirements, a damage and breakage resolution process, and termination provisions.

Question 2

Should a cleaning contractor be bonded and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes — bonding and insurance are essential protections for both parties. General liability insurance covers damage to the client's property during cleaning (a knocked-over vase, water damage from a spill, scratched hardwood floors). A surety bond (sometimes called a janitorial bond) protects the client against theft by the cleaning worker. Workers' compensation insurance is required in most states if the cleaning company has employees and covers medical expenses if a cleaner is injured on the job. Many commercial clients and property managers require proof of all three — liability insurance, bonding, and workers' comp — before allowing a cleaning contractor on the premises. The contract should specify minimum coverage amounts and require the cleaner to provide a current certificate of insurance.

Question 3

How do you handle key access and security in a cleaning contract?

Accepted Answer

The contract should include an access-and-security clause that specifies how the cleaner will enter the property — whether the client provides a key, a garage code, a smart-lock PIN, or leaves the property unlocked during the scheduled window. It should require the cleaner to secure all doors and windows upon departure, arm the alarm system if applicable, and never duplicate keys or share access codes. If a key is provided, the contract should document the number of keys issued, prohibit unauthorized transfers, and require the return of all keys upon termination of the agreement. For commercial properties, the clause should address after-hours access, building-security sign-in procedures, and restricted areas that the cleaner should not enter.

Question 4

What is the difference between a residential and commercial cleaning contract?

Accepted Answer

Residential cleaning contracts cover private homes, apartments, and condominiums, and typically involve one cleaner or a small team visiting on a recurring schedule (weekly or bi-weekly) to perform standard housekeeping tasks. Commercial cleaning contracts cover offices, retail spaces, medical facilities, restaurants, and industrial buildings, and involve larger crews, specialized equipment (floor buffers, carpet extractors, pressure washers), and compliance with industry-specific sanitation standards (OSHA, health-department regulations for food-service spaces, infection-control protocols for medical facilities). Commercial contracts are usually longer, include service-level agreements (SLAs) with quality benchmarks, and often require higher insurance limits and specialized certifications.

Question 5

How should pricing work in a cleaning contract?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning contractors typically price services using one of three models: flat-rate per visit (a fixed fee for each cleaning session based on the property size and scope of work), hourly rate (charged per cleaner per hour, common for deep-cleaning or move-in/move-out cleaning), or monthly retainer (a fixed monthly payment covering a set number of visits and tasks, common for commercial contracts). The contract should specify the exact pricing model, what is included in the base price versus what triggers additional charges (oven cleaning, refrigerator cleaning, laundry, organizing), whether pricing adjusts for seasonal deep-cleans, and how price increases are communicated (typically with 30-60 days' written notice).

Question 6

What happens if the cleaner damages property during service?

Accepted Answer

The contract should include a damage-notification and resolution clause requiring the cleaner to immediately report any accidental damage — broken items, stains, scratches, water damage — to the client. For insured cleaners, the claim is filed against the cleaner's general liability policy, which covers repair or replacement costs up to the policy limits. The contract should specify the timeframe within which the client must report previously unnoticed damage (typically 24-48 hours after the cleaning visit), the documentation required (photos, receipts, descriptions), and whether there is a deductible or small-damage threshold below which the cleaner handles resolution directly. The contract should also address pre-existing damage documentation to prevent false claims.

Question 7

Can a cleaning contract include a non-solicitation or non-compete clause?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning companies often include a non-solicitation clause that prevents the client from hiring the cleaning company's individual employees or subcontractors directly — effectively preventing the client from cutting out the company and hiring the cleaner privately. These clauses are generally enforceable when reasonable in duration (typically 6-12 months after the contract ends) and scope. Non-compete clauses preventing the cleaner from working for other clients are much harder to enforce, particularly for independent contractors, and are prohibited in some states (California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, North Dakota). The contract should clearly distinguish between the two types of restrictive covenants and tailor them to the applicable state's law.

Question 8

How do cancellation and rescheduling policies work?

Accepted Answer

A well-drafted cleaning contract specifies separate policies for client-initiated cancellations and cleaner-initiated cancellations. For client cancellations or rescheduling, the contract typically requires 24-48 hours' notice to avoid being charged for the missed visit, with full or partial charges applying for late cancellations or no-shows. For cleaner cancellations, the contract should require prompt notification, offer a make-up visit within a specified timeframe, and provide a fee credit if the make-up cannot be scheduled. For contract termination (ending the ongoing relationship), 14-30 days' written notice from either party is standard. The contract should also address holiday schedules and whether the cleaner provides service on observed holidays or reschedules automatically.

Question 9

Is a cleaning service worker an employee or independent contractor?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most legally significant questions in the cleaning industry. Individual cleaners working for a cleaning company are typically employees (W-2) — the company controls their schedule, provides equipment and supplies, assigns them to specific clients, and directs how the work is performed. A cleaning company hired by a homeowner or business is an independent contractor — the client specifies the desired result (a clean space) but the company controls how, when, and with what staff the work is performed. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor exposes the hiring party to back taxes, penalties, and liability under federal and state wage laws. States with ABC tests (California, New Jersey, Massachusetts) are particularly strict about cleaning-worker classification.

Question 10

What quality-assurance provisions should a cleaning contract include?

Accepted Answer

For recurring cleaning relationships, the contract should define measurable quality standards — a cleaning checklist for each visit, walk-through inspection procedures, client satisfaction reporting (a quick post-visit survey or rating system), and the process for addressing unsatisfactory work (free re-clean within 24 hours, credit toward the next visit, or fee adjustment). Commercial contracts often include formal SLAs with specific benchmarks: no more than two valid complaints per quarter, minimum cleanliness scores on third-party inspections, or compliance with ISSA Clean Industry Management Standard (CIMS) guidelines. The contract should also specify how recurring quality issues are escalated and at what point they constitute grounds for termination.

Component	Purpose	Key Details
Scope of Work	Defines exactly what is cleaned during each visit	Room-by-room checklist, deep-clean add-ons, exclusions
Frequency & Schedule	Sets the recurring service pattern	Day of week, time window, holiday schedule
Supplies & Equipment	Clarifies who provides cleaning products	Client-supplied vs. cleaner-supplied, product restrictions
Property Access	Establishes secure entry and exit procedures	Key management, alarm codes, lock-up duties
Pricing & Payment	Sets fees and payment schedule	Per-visit, hourly, or monthly; late-fee provisions
Insurance & Bonding	Requires coverage for damage and theft	GL insurance, surety bond, workers' comp
Damage Resolution	Handles accidental breakage or property damage	Reporting timeline, claim process, pre-existing damage
Cancellation	Sets notice requirements and fees	24-48 hour notice, no-show charges, termination terms

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What Is a Cleaning Contract?

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Cleaning Service Agreement

Key Components of a Cleaning Contract

How to Create a Cleaning Contract

Identify the Property and Parties

Define the Scope and Schedule

Address Supplies, Access, and Security

Set Pricing, Payment, and Insurance Terms

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