What to put in a commercial cleaning contract

A good cleaning contract isn't about legal language. It's about writing down what you'll do, when, for how much, and what happens when something changes. Here's what to cover, section by section, and a free checklist to use on your next account.

JobTill · October 12, 2026 · 7 min read

This is practical guidance from running service businesses, not legal advice. Have a local attorney review your contract template once. It's money well spent.

The contract usually follows a proposal, which sells the work and the price. See what to include in a commercial cleaning proposal.

1. Who the agreement is between

Your business's legal name and the client's legal name, the service address or addresses, and a contact person on each side. If you clean several buildings for one client, list every location.

2. Scope of work, area by area

This is where most disputes start, so be specific. Instead of "clean the office", list each area and what's done there:

• Restrooms: clean and disinfect toilets, urinals, sinks and counters; restock paper and soap; empty bins; mop floors.
• Offices and common areas: empty trash; dust reachable surfaces; vacuum carpets; spot-clean glass.
• Kitchen or break room: wipe counters and tables; clean the sink; wipe the outside of appliances.

Write down what's not included too, such as interior windows, carpet shampooing, fridge clean-outs and high dusting. Listing them makes it easy to sell them later as extras instead of doing them for free.

3. Frequency and schedule

Which days, what time window, and how often each area is done. The lobby might be daily and conference rooms twice a week. Say what happens on public holidays, and how either side asks for a schedule change.

4. Access and security

Keys, key cards and alarm codes: who holds them, how they're handed over, and how they're returned when the contract ends. Note any areas that are off-limits.

5. Supplies and equipment

Who provides cleaning chemicals, equipment, and consumables like toilet paper, paper towels, soap and trash liners. If you supply consumables, say whether they're included in the monthly price or billed separately.

6. Extra work and how it's approved

Clients will ask for "just one more thing". Agree up front how that works: the client asks, you give a price, they approve it before you start, and it goes on the next invoice. A written approval step protects both of you.

7. Quality checks and complaints

Say how quality will be checked, for example a monthly inspection, and how the client reports a problem. Set how fast you'll respond, and that you'll re-clean anything missed at no charge if it's reported within a set time. See our janitorial inspection checklist.

8. Price, invoicing and payment terms

• The monthly price, and what it covers.
• When you invoice (for example, monthly in arrears) and the payment terms (for example, net 15 or net 30).
• How they can pay: card, bank transfer, check.
• What happens if a payment is late, and when you can pause service for non-payment.

9. Price reviews

Wages, insurance and supplies go up every year. Include a yearly price review, or a set annual increase, so you're not stuck with a price that stops making sense. Also say how scope changes affect the price.

10. Term, renewal and cancellation

The start date, how long the agreement runs, whether it renews automatically, and how much notice either side gives to cancel, for example 30 days in writing. A fair, clear exit clause makes clients more comfortable signing in the first place.

11. Insurance, liability and damage

Your general liability and workers' compensation coverage, whether you're bonded, and how damage is reported and handled. Many commercial clients will ask for a certificate of insurance before you start.

12. Your staff

Whether your cleaners are your employees, any background checks you run, and a confidentiality line for offices with sensitive information.

13. Signatures

Names, titles, dates and signatures for both sides. A contract signed online, with the date and the signer's name recorded, is far easier to keep track of than paper in a truck.