Cleaning Contract Template: What to Include (Free Layout)

A quote tells the client what you will do and what it costs. A cleaning service agreement takes that same scope and price and adds the rules both sides live by: when you come, how you get in, how they pay, and what happens when plans change. Most problems with a recurring client come from something that was never written down.

What a cleaning service agreement does

It puts the quote's scope, price, schedule, and terms in one document that both of you sign. If a question comes up six months in, you both look at the same page. It also tells a new client you run a real business with clear rules.

The clauses, one by one

Parties

Your business name exactly as registered, and the client's full name or business name. Add addresses, phones, and emails. For a business client, name the person who can sign for them.

Service address

Where the cleaning happens, with the suite, unit, or gate details. If you clean more than one location for the same client, list each one.

Scope and frequency

Point to the quote or proposal by number and date, and attach it. That keeps the agreement short and the scope exact. State the frequency in plain words: weekly, every two weeks, three nights a week.

Schedule, access, and keys

Days and times, and how you get in: a key, a code, a lockbox, or the client at home. Say who holds keys and codes and how they are returned when the service ends. Add alarm instructions if there is an alarm.

Price and what changes it

The price per visit or per month, matching the quote. Then list what changes it: added rooms or areas, added visits, a schedule change, or a condition far beyond the walkthrough. Say that any change is agreed in writing before the work.

Payment terms

How often you invoice, when payment is due, and how the client can pay. If you want a late payment term, have your lawyer word it, since rules on late fees vary by state.

Supplies and equipment

Who provides cleaning products and equipment, and who provides paper goods, soap, and liners. This one line avoids a lot of confusion on commercial jobs.

Exclusions

What is not included: inside the oven, exterior windows, carpet extraction, whatever applies. Then say extra work is quoted separately.

Cancellations and lockouts

What happens if the client cancels late, and what happens if you arrive and cannot get in. Also what you do if you have to cancel. Be specific about notice times. The terms are your call; have your lawyer check them.

Damage and breakage reporting

Say how fast you report damage or breakage, and how: a text with a photo, an email. Then say how claims are handled. Clear reporting builds trust even when something goes wrong.

Insurance

State only the coverage you actually carry. Which types of insurance fit your business is a question for a licensed insurance agent. The SBA's Get business insurance page gives an overview of common business coverage types.

Subcontractors: contractor vs employee

If you might send subcontractors, say whether that is allowed. How you classify anyone who works for you is a separate question that depends on the facts of the work. The IRS page on independent contractor or employee explains the factors. Check your setup with your accountant.

Term and how either side ends it

The start date, the term (month to month, or a set number of months), and how much written notice either side gives to end it. A clear exit makes it easier for a new client to say yes.

Signatures

Both sides sign and date. For a business client, the signer should be someone with authority to commit the business. Keep a copy each.

Residential vs commercial contracts

The same clauses apply to both, with a different weight on each:

Free cleaning contract layout

Copy this into any document. Replace everything in [brackets]. Then have a local lawyer review it before you use it.

CLEANING SERVICE AGREEMENT

This agreement is between:
Provider: [Your business name], [Business address], [Phone], [Email]
Client: [Client name or business name], [Address], [Phone], [Email]
Date: [Date]

1. Service address
   [Address where the cleaning happens, including suite or unit]

2. Scope and frequency
   The Provider will perform the services listed in the attached
   scope, [Quote or proposal number, date], at this frequency:
   [Weekly / every two weeks / nights per week / one time].

3. Schedule and access
   Service days and times: [Days, times]
   Access: [Key / code / lockbox / client present]
   Key or code handling: [Who holds it, how it is returned]
   Alarm: [Instructions, if any]

4. Price
   [Price] per [visit / month].
   What changes the price: [Added areas, added visits, schedule
   change, condition well beyond the walkthrough]. Any change is
   agreed in writing before the work is done.

5. Payment terms
   Invoiced: [Per visit / monthly]
   Due: [On receipt / within X days of invoice]
   Accepted methods: [Methods]
   Late payment: [Terms, as reviewed by your lawyer]

6. Supplies and equipment
   Cleaning products and equipment: [Provider / Client]
   Paper goods, soap, liners: [Provider / Client]

7. Not included
   [Services outside this scope.] Extra work is quoted separately.

8. Cancellations and lockouts
   Client cancels with less than [X hours] notice: [Terms]
   Provider cannot get in at the scheduled time: [Terms]
   Provider cancels: [Notice and rescheduling terms]

9. Damage and breakage
   The Provider reports any damage or breakage to the Client within
   [timeframe] by [method]. [How claims are handled.]

10. Insurance
    The Provider carries: [Coverage you actually hold, as confirmed
    with your licensed insurance agent].

11. Subcontractors
    [Whether the Provider may use subcontractors, and on what terms.]

12. Term and ending the agreement
    Start date: [Date]
    Term: [Month to month / number of months]
    Either side may end this agreement with [X days] written notice.

13. Changes to this agreement
    Changes are valid only in writing, signed by both sides.

Signatures

Provider: ______________________  Name: [Name]  Date: [Date]
Client:   ______________________  Name: [Name]  Date: [Date]

If you want a printable cleaning contract template, paste the layout into a word processor, add your logo at the top, and print it to PDF.

How the quote, contract, and invoice fit together

1. Quote first. The scope and the price. See the cleaning quote template. For a larger job, the quote sits inside a cleaning proposal.
2. Contract next. The accepted scope and price, plus the terms, signed by both sides.
3. Invoice after each visit or month. The same scope words and price, with the service dates. See the cleaning invoice template.

If the three documents use the same words for the scope and the same number for the price, there is nothing to argue about. For commercial work, the bidding guide covers how to get the scope right in the first place.

When to update the contract

• Your price changes.
• The client adds or removes areas or visits.
• Your schedule or access changes.
• Your insurance changes.
• The term ends and you renew.

Send the updated version for both sides to sign, and keep the old one on file.

Start with the number

The contract repeats the price from your quote, so the price has to be right first. Binderlane organizes that math: answer a few questions, see your break-even and your price, and text the client a branded quote with your logo. It does not create contracts. First 3 quotes are free to send, no card.