Key Contracts for a Cleaning Business

As the demand for cleaning services increases in England and Wales, there are more and more opportunities for cleaning businesses to make big profits. For that reason, it is important for cleaning agencies to have well-drafted contract contracts in place. These contracts can help protect your business from the threat of lawsuits. Additionally, you can even acquire more business by using these contracts. This article will explain some of the main contracts a cleaning business will use and what you should include in each contract. 

Cleaning Service Contract 

A cleaning service contract is an agreement between a business and another agency for the provision of cleaning services. Many different types of cleaners can use a cleaning service contract, from janitors to commercial and residential housekeepers. There are a variety of provisions you should look to include in your cleaning service contract.

What Services You Will Provide

To perform the right services and fulfill client expectations, it is vital to include a detailed description of the work you are going to provide. For instance, in your cleaning service contract, you should look to set out whether that work is:

• a domestic clean, which includes a basic clean that is generally made in people’s homes; 
• a deep clean, which includes a more thorough clean of the premises; or 
• a builder’s clean, where a person cleans up the dust, rubble and mess left following building works. 

The terms of your contract should also specify where you are expected to clean. For example, you may be asked to clean the bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms of a house. A more detailed servicing agreement will mean that disputes are less likely to arise between you and your clients. 

Finally, you will also want to establish how you are allowed to enter and exit your client’s property. For example, many offices operate strict security protocols that require anyone entering to have an access card or a key. Therefore, discussing this beforehand and including it in your contract will ensure you do not run into any issues with security.

Duration of Services

It is important to set out the length of time that the contract is expected to last. Establishing the duration and how often the services will go on for will help give you and your customers clarity over how much they expect you to work. For example, you might agree to work on a weekly basis, or on a one-off basis. 

Payment 

After you have agreed on the duration of the cleaning services, you then need to agree the amount you are going to charge for those services. You will also want to insert the terms of payment into the contract too, which will include:

• whether you wish to be paid in a lump sum or a deposit;
• whether you require a deposit for your services; and
• how the customer should pay you. 

Cost of Cleaning Supplies

Your cleaning services contract agreement may also want to state how you intend to be repaid for the cost of cleaning supplies. Therefore, you could include the supplies in your overall final bill or include them in a separate invoice. 

Termination of the Contract

Additionally, you will also need to set out the conditions for the termination of the contract. You should also consider specifying whether any fees are payable following termination of that agreement. For example, if you sign a year-long cleaning contract, the termination provisions should outline how you can end that contract early and the consequences of doing so. 

Liability

When drafting your service agreement, you should look to impose as little liability on yourself as possible. That means you will want to insert clauses into your servicing agreement that can limit the possibility of one party filing a lawsuit against you and how much you can be expected to pay for that lawsuit. 

Subcontractor Agreement

Subcontractor agreements are also common in the cleaning services industry. This is because cleaning businesses will often outsource cleaning jobs to more appropriate contractors and companies that may offer more specialised services.

When drafting a subcontractor agreement, you will need to state: 

• the nature, purpose and requirements of the work; 
• how long the work should take; 
• terms of payment; and 
• when a breach of contract may occur. 

Employment Contracts 

Employment contracts are a big part of the cleaning industry. Indeed, more often than not, cleaning businesses need a large workforce to help them fulfill their cleaning service contracts. 

Employers must assert the main conditions for employment to their employees. Therefore, the clearer you make these terms, the less likely disputes will arise. For instance, you need to clearly state what they will be working on, where they will be working, and the cleaning works they will complete.

It could be a misrepresentation for you to ask an employee to do a builder’s clean when their contract is to provide domestic cleaning services only. That can make you liable for damages under their employment contract. It is also necessary to clearly state the conditions for termination and when a breach of that agreement may arise. Employers are also required to state the notice periods for when you or your staff can terminate the employment contract. 

Key Takeaways

There are several commercial cleaning contracts that service providers should be aware of if you are operating a cleaning or janitorial service in England and Wales. You will likely have come across a service provider contract that includes the main terms and conditions to provide a service to a client. Additionally, cleaning businesses will also need to use subcontractor agreements and employment contracts to hire professional cleaners to assist them in their daily operations. One important thing to remember when you are drafting these contracts is that you must be clear on the cleaning services you will provide. The clearer you are in your contracts, the less likely disputes will arise from the provision of cleaning services.

If you need more information, our experienced contract lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.

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