Last Updated December 6, 2022
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What is a Cleaning Services Agreement?
A Cleaning Services Agreement is a contract between a cleaner, or a cleaning company, and their client. It may be used for residential or commercial spaces that require a one-time cleaning or regularly scheduled cleaning services. A client could be a homeowner, business, realtor, or property management company.
This contract establishes the terms and conditions of the arrangement between the two parties. Most importantly, it outlines the services that the cleaner will provide and the compensation that they will receive.
When executed properly, a Cleaning Services Agreement is a legally binding contract. Once a party signs, they are obligated to fulfill their obligations.
A Cleaning Services Agreement is also known as a:
- Maid service agreement
- Housekeeping agreement
- House cleaning agreement
- Janitorial services contract
When should a Cleaning Services Agreement be used?
Individual cleaners and cleaning companies should use written agreements whenever they sell their services. Generally, a cleaner creates a Cleaning Services Agreement whenever they take on a new client.
A cleaning services contract can be used to schedule a recurring housekeeping service (weekly, monthly, etc.) or a single-day service, such as a carpet cleaning.
If you are a small business owner, you can use an agreement to employ a janitor to come to your workplace after regular business hours and perform cleaning duties like trash collection and washroom cleaning.
Why do I need a Cleaning Services Agreement?
Using a Cleaning Services Agreement sets clear expectations, reducing the risk of miscommunication. Reducing miscommunication can help lessen the chance of unpleasant disagreements and legal disputes.
Also, a Cleaning Service Agreement establishes that the cleaner is an independent contractor who is providing a service, not an employee who is entitled to certain benefits.
If you are a freelance maid or janitor, Cleaning Services Agreements help you manage your clients and maintain your self-employment records. In addition, offering a properly drafted legal document assures your prospective clients of your professional credentials and ensures you’re legally protected in the event of a dispute over payment.
A Cleaning Services Agreement lets clients communicate their expectations for the types of cleaning they want to be done and the level of service and detail they require. It also ensures that a cleaner only has to perform the services outlined in the document.
Sometimes, cleaning services may be subject to a strict schedule. For example, workplaces may require services early in the morning before any staff arrives. In this case, it’s important to have the agreement terms written down so the cleaner knows exactly when to arrive and clean.
A Cleaning Services Agreement should include the following information:
- Frequency: The cleaning service may be regularly scheduled or a one-time job.
- Location and time: It’s important to include where and when the cleaner will provide their service.
- Cleaning details: Outlining what the client is hiring the cleaner to do is essential.
- Parties’ details: It is essential to include the name and address of each party. The parties can be individuals or organizations.
- Compensation: Depending on the duration of the contract, payment can be charged at a flat rate or hourly, weekly, monthly, or annually.
- Deposit: If the cleaner requires a deposit, it should be included in the contract. The deposit amount depends on the client’s trustworthiness and financial stability. A reasonable amount is usually 10-50% of the total contract amount.
- Client payments: The frequency of payments should be included. Also, it’s important to specify the number of days that the client has to pay Invoices.
- Late payment interest: Cleaners may include the right to charge interest on any overdue invoices.
- Termination notice: It’s essential that parties specify the number of days written notice that they must provide to end the contract.
- Reimbursements: If the client is going to reimburse the cleaner for any of their costs, such as supplies or transportation, that must be included in the contract.
- Confidentiality: If the cleaner has a duty not to reveal confidential client information, whether it be indefinitely or until the contract ends, it must be included in the contract.
What services should a cleaner provide when using a Cleaning Services Agreement?
Cleaners and their clients have to determine the service terms of their agreement on their own. There are no set rules for the services a cleaner should provide. Therefore, it’s important for clients to express their expectations and demands and for cleaners to be clear on the details of the service they offer.
Some clients may expect cleaners to mop and vacuum floors every day, while others may only require this service once per week. On the flip side, a Cleaning Services Agreement also allows cleaners to outline any services that they are not willing to provide. Some cleaners may not be willing to provide their services if a situation poses a risk to their health. For example, if a client’s space contains harmful mold, a cleaner may refuse to enter.
Should my Cleaning Services Agreement include a confidentiality clause?
Not every client needs to include a confidentiality clause in their Cleaning Service Agreement. If you hire an individual or company to clean your yard after a party, you likely don’t need to include a confidentiality clause in your agreement.
If you represent a business and hire someone to clean your workplace, you may consider including a confidentiality clause.
Confidential information refers to any private information that is not publicly available, such as customers’ contact or financial information. If there is a chance that a cleaner could see or have access to any sensitive information, including a confidentiality clause can be worth it.