A janitorial contract is a legal document that defines your service relationship. Many business owners sign after a quick skim, focused on price, and miss the clauses that determine what happens when something goes wrong.
Scope of Work
The most important section. It should itemize every task, the areas covered and the frequency for each. Vague phrases like "general cleaning" with no specifics are a red flag — ask for an itemized addendum before signing.
Service Frequency and Schedule
The contract should clearly state how often service occurs, which days, and whether timing is fixed or flexible.
Pricing and Payment Terms
Confirm whether pricing is monthly or per-visit, when invoices are issued, and when payment is due. Watch for price-escalation clauses that allow automatic annual increases.
Contract Duration and Renewal
Most commercial contracts run a set term and auto-renew unless cancelled inside a notice window — commonly 30 to 60 days before expiration. Know that date.
Termination Clause
What does it cost to leave early? Some contracts charge for remaining months at full price; others allow mutual termination after a cure period if quality falls below standard.
Complaint and Remedy Process
How do you report a problem, what is the response-time commitment, and what remedy is offered — a re-clean, a credit?
Insurance and Liability
The contract should confirm general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and you should be able to request a certificate of insurance naming your business as an additional insured.
We write every contract around a scope produced from an actual walkthrough of your facility — not a generic template. Ask us about any of the above during your quote request.