Commercial cleaning contract: what should you look for?
Check seven things: the term and how to end it, the written scope attached to it, the remedy when something is missed, what happens if a whole visit is missed, how the price can change, the payment terms, and insurance, including whether a certificate is enough or you need an endorsement.
Month to month or a longer term?
| Month to month | Longer fixed term | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving | Notice period only | May require waiting to the end of the term or paying an early exit fee |
| Price | Can change with notice | Often fixed for the term, sometimes with yearly increases written in |
| Leverage | The company has to keep earning the next month | Less pressure once signed |
| Watch for | How much notice, and whether the notice month is still billed | Automatic renewal and the window to cancel it |
Neither is right for everyone. What matters is that you can see the exit before you sign.
Is the scope part of the contract?
It should be attached, not just referenced. The scope is what you are buying: areas, tasks and frequency. Look for a clause saying changes to scope, frequency or price happen only in writing and signed by both sides.
What remedy does the contract give if something is missed?
A good contract answers three questions: how long you have to report a problem, how you report it, and what the company does about it. Watch for remedies that are vague ("we'll make it right") or that depend on the company deciding whether a complaint is valid. Check separately what happens when a whole visit doesn't happen: a make-up visit, a credit, or both.
How can the price change?
Look for how much written notice the company must give, how often it can raise the price, and whether you can leave without penalty if you don't accept the increase.
What payment terms are normal?
Terms vary. Read when you are invoiced (in advance or after the month), when payment is due, which methods are accepted, what late charges apply and when service can be suspended for non-payment.
What should a cleaning contract say about insurance and a COI?
A certificate of insurance (COI) shows that a policy exists at a point in time. The standard ACORD 25 certificate says it is issued for information only and confers no rights on the certificate holder, and that additional insured status depends on the policy's provisions or an endorsement. If your lease or landlord requires you to be named as additional insured, ask your insurance agent exactly what you need, and check who pays any extra premium.
Other clauses worth reading
- Property damage: how fast you must report it and how it is resolved.
- Keys and codes: how they are stored and when they come back.
- Exclusions: what the company never does.
- Limitation of liability: any cap, and what it does not limit.
For anything legal you are unsure about, have your attorney review the agreement.
What do JCIL's contract terms say?
| Topic | JCIL |
|---|---|
| Term | Office cleaning is month to month. Cancel with 30 days' written notice. |
| Start and payment | Service starts once the agreement is signed and the first month is paid. Each month is then invoiced on the 1st and due in 15 days, by ACH or card through the invoice link, or by check. Cash is not accepted. |
| Missed items and visits | Report an issue with a photo or description by 6:00 p.m. the next business day and we redo that area at no charge on the next visit or the next business evening. A missed visit is made up the next evening and credited on your next invoice. |
| Price changes | 30 days' written notice, no more than once per calendar quarter; if you don't accept, you can end the agreement at the end of the notice period without penalty. |
| Insurance | General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate; certificate on request. If you need to be named additional insured, we request it from our insurer before the start date, and any added premium is your cost. |
FAQ
Are month-to-month cleaning contracts common?
Both month-to-month and fixed-term contracts are used. Compare the notice period and any renewal or exit terms, not just the label.
What is a fair remedy for a missed cleaning?
One with a clear reporting deadline and a specific action, such as redoing the area, plus a credit when a whole visit is missed.
Do I need to be named additional insured?
Only if your lease or another contract requires it. Ask your insurance agent; a certificate alone does not make you an additional insured.
Sources
Read how our price and terms work on the pricing page, or call (857) 777-0885.