How to write a contract for cleaning services

A cleaning services contract is a written agreement that identifies the client and provider, the property, the work, the schedule and the payment terms. Put the effective date, such as [DATE], and the service details in writing before the first visit. A 24-hour complaint window, a weekly schedule or a 30-day termination period should appear in the signed agreement rather than in a text message.

For most U.S. residential and commercial arrangements, the clearest format is a short main agreement with a detailed Scope of Work attached as Schedule A. State law varies, so an attorney should review the agreement when it involves substantial property, recurring commercial work, employees, hazardous materials or significant liability.

Cleaning Services Contract at a Glance

Contract section	What it should answer
Parties	Who is hiring the provider?
Property	Where will the work take place?
Services	Which rooms, surfaces and tasks are included?
Schedule	How often and when will the provider work?
Payment	What is the price and when is payment due?
Supplies	Who provides equipment, products and consumables?
Access	How will the provider enter the property?
Quality standards	What counts as satisfactory work?
Damage and liability	Who is responsible for damage, loss or injury?
Termination	How can either party end the agreement?
Signatures	When does the agreement take effect?

A contract generally requires mutual agreement and an exchange of value, such as cleaning services in exchange for payment. State law determines how those principles apply to a particular dispute.

1. Identify the Client and Cleaning Provider

Use the full legal names of both parties. A brand name or the name of an individual cleaner may not identify the correct contracting party.

Include:

• Legal name of the cleaning company or individual
• Business structure, such as LLC, corporation or sole proprietorship
• Client's legal name
• Billing address
• Cleaning address
• Email addresses and telephone numbers
• Name of the person who can approve extra work
• Effective date of the agreement

Example:

This Cleaning Services Agreement is between Bright Star Cleaning LLC, with an address at [address], and [Client's legal name], with an address at [address]. The services will be performed at [service address]. The agreement begins on [date].

If the client has several locations, list each one in Schedule A or another attachment. This helps prevent disputes about whether an additional building, unit or office is included.

2. Describe the Cleaning Services in Schedule A

The Scope of Work should describe the actual tasks. "Provide general cleaning" does not say enough.

A Schedule A may use a table like this:

Area	Included tasks	Frequency
Kitchen	Clean countertops, wipe cabinet fronts, clean sink, mop floor and remove rubbish	Weekly
Bathrooms	Clean toilets, sinks, mirrors, showers and floors; replenish client-supplied products	Twice weekly
Offices	Vacuum floors, empty bins and dust accessible surfaces	Weekly
Entryway	Sweep, mop and clean glass doors	Each visit

Also record:

• Approximate square footage
• Number of rooms, bathrooms or workstations
• Flooring types
• Whether interior windows are included
• Whether appliances are included
• Whether rubbish removal is included
• Whether the provider moves furniture
• Whether cabinets or refrigerators are cleaned inside
• Whether the service involves ordinary cleaning or disinfection
• Whether the provider supplies paper products and soap
• Whether outdoor areas are included

List Exclusions

The agreement should identify work that is not included unless the parties approve it separately. Common exclusions include:

• Exterior windows
• Carpet extraction
• Floor stripping and waxing
• High-reach or exterior cleaning
• Mold remediation
• Pest removal
• Biohazard cleanup
• Sharps or needle removal
• Hoarding cleanup
• Construction cleanup
• Heavy furniture moving
• Laundry
• Dishwashing
• Interior oven or refrigerator cleaning

Example:

Services do not include mold remediation, asbestos-related work, biohazard cleanup, pest control, exterior window cleaning, carpet extraction or the movement of furniture weighing more than [number] pounds unless the parties approve a written change order.

Do not promise specialized work unless the provider has the required training, equipment and insurance.

3. Set the Schedule and Service Window

State whether the service is:

• One-time
• Daily
• Weekly
• Biweekly
• Monthly
• Seasonal
• On-call
• Based on a fixed number of visits

Use an arrival window unless the provider must arrive at an exact time.

Example:

The provider will perform cleaning services every Tuesday between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The provider may arrive at any time within that service window.

The agreement should also explain what happens with:

• Holidays
• Weather closures
• Client-requested rescheduling
• Provider illness or staff shortages
• Missed appointments
• Access delays
• Lockouts
• Alarm problems
• Building closures

Example:

If the provider cannot access the property at the scheduled time because the client has not provided working access, the visit may be treated as a cancelled appointment and charged at [amount], unless the parties agree otherwise.

Disclose any cancellation or lockout charge before the client signs.

4. State the Price and Payment Terms

Choose a pricing method that fits the work:

Pricing method	Suitable for
Flat fee per visit	Recurring residential or small commercial cleaning
Hourly rate	Uncertain scope or first-time cleaning
Monthly retainer	Ongoing commercial cleaning
Per-square-foot rate	Large commercial properties
Fixed project price	Deep cleaning, move-out cleaning or post-construction cleaning

The payment clause should state:

• Price per visit or billing period
• Whether sales tax applies
• Whether supplies are included
• Travel or service-area fees
• Invoice date
• Payment due date
• Accepted payment methods
• Late-payment charges, if lawful
• Returned-payment fees
• Deadline for reporting disputed charges
• Notice required before a price change

Example:

The client will pay $[amount] per visit. Invoices are issued on the [day] of each month and are due within [number] calendar days. The provider must give at least [number] days' written notice of any price increase.

Attach the final quote or pricing schedule to the signed agreement. Do not leave the price in a separate text message or verbal conversation.

5. Require Written Approval for Extra Work

A cleaning job may expand after the initial walkthrough. The agreement should explain how additional work is approved.

Example:

Work outside the Scope of Work requires the client's written approval before the provider begins. The approval must state the additional task, price or hourly rate, estimated time and expected completion date.

If the agreement permits it, written approval may be given by email, text message or signed change order.

6. Define Quality Standards and Re-Cleaning

The contract should give the client a clear way to report incomplete work and give the provider an opportunity to correct it.

Include:

• How the client reports a problem
• The reporting deadline
• Whether the provider gets an opportunity to correct the work
• Whether re-cleaning is free when the task was included
• How pre-existing conditions or restricted access affect the complaint

Example:

The client must report an alleged service deficiency in writing within 24 hours after the service visit and identify the specific area or task involved. If the task was included in the Scope of Work, the provider will make reasonable efforts to correct the deficiency within [number] business days at no additional charge.

Avoid promises that the property will always be "perfect" or "completely spotless." An objective task list and reasonable service standard are easier to apply.

7. Assign Supplies, Equipment and Access

State who supplies:

• Vacuum cleaners
• Mops and buckets
• Cleaning chemicals
• Microfiber cloths
• Gloves and protective equipment
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Hand soap
• Trash bags
• Specialized equipment

Example:

The provider will supply ordinary cleaning equipment and products. The client will supply paper products, hand soap and any products that the client requires for allergy, fragrance or surface-safety reasons.

The access clause should address:

• Keys
• Key codes
• Alarm codes
• Lockboxes
• Building security procedures
• Parking
• Pets
• Areas that must remain locked
• Lost keys
• Security incidents

Example:

The client will provide the provider with the access information reasonably necessary to perform the services. The provider must keep keys, access codes and security information confidential and must not duplicate keys without written permission.

8. Address Damage, Loss and Liability

The agreement should allocate responsibility for foreseeable problems without attempting to excuse negligent conduct.

Cover:

• Damage caused by the provider
• Existing damage
• Fragile or valuable items
• Unsecured cash and personal property
• Incorrect client instructions
• Defective surfaces or fixtures
• Slip hazards
• Lost keys
• Property left in an unsafe condition
• Insurance requirements

Example:

The provider is responsible for direct physical damage to the client's property caused by the provider's negligent acts or omissions. The client is responsible for identifying fragile, defective or unusually valuable items before service begins.

The contract may require general liability insurance or workers' compensation coverage where required. The provider should not promise coverage that it does not carry.

A liability cap should be reviewed by a local attorney. State law may restrict some limits, and a liability clause may not protect a party from every type of conduct.

9. Set Rules for Safety and Hazardous Materials

An ordinary cleaning agreement does not automatically cover hazardous substances.

State whether the provider will handle:

• Blood or other potentially infectious materials
• Needles or sharps
• Human or animal waste
• Mold
• Asbestos
• Strong chemical residues
• Industrial substances
• Pest infestations
• Chemical spills

For specialized work, identify the required training, equipment, procedures and price. Employers whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals must follow applicable OSHA Hazard Communication requirements. Employers whose workers face reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials may also have duties under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard.

A contract should not attempt to remove safety duties that apply to an employer.

10. Use the Correct Worker Classification

When a cleaning company provides its own staff, the client generally contracts with the company rather than with each cleaner.

If an individual is hired directly, do not automatically label that person an "independent contractor." The Internal Revenue Service considers the actual relationship, including behavioral control, financial control and the nature of the relationship. The label in the contract does not decide worker status.

For household cleaning, the IRS explains that a person may be a household employee when the homeowner controls what work is done and how it is done. The payment method and whether the work is full-time or part-time do not decide the issue by themselves.

Obtain tax or legal advice when hiring an individual directly.

11. Add Confidentiality and Privacy Rules

Cleaning providers may see customer records, access codes, personal belongings or other private information.

The agreement should state that the provider must not:

• Photograph the property without permission
• Post images or videos online
• Share client information
• Access files, drawers or cabinets outside the Scope of Work
• Use alarm codes for unauthorized entry
• Discuss the client's business or household with third parties

For commercial properties, add privacy and security rules for customer records, financial information, medical information and controlled areas.

12. Set Renewal and Termination Terms

State:

• Initial contract term
• Whether the agreement renews automatically
• Notice required to cancel
• Immediate termination events
• Payment for completed work
• Treatment of prepaid amounts
• Return of keys and access devices
• Final inspection or invoice

Example:

Either party may terminate this agreement by giving 30 days' written notice. Either party may terminate immediately if the other party materially breaches the agreement and does not correct the breach within [number] days after receiving written notice.

One-time jobs and recurring services may need different cancellation terms. Have local counsel review automatic renewal, cancellation fees and consumer-facing terms before using them broadly.

13. Include Standard Contract Terms

A cleaning services agreement may also include:

• Governing law
• Notice method
• Entire agreement
• Written amendments
• Severability
• Assignment restrictions
• Force majeure or events outside a party's reasonable control
• Dispute-resolution process
• Electronic-signature provisions, where appropriate

Keep these provisions consistent with the scope, price, access rules and termination terms.

Cleaning Services Contract Template

Use this as a starting point and adapt it to the work and applicable law.

CLEANING SERVICES AGREEMENT

Effective date: [DATE]

1. PARTIES

This Agreement is between:

Client: [Legal name]
Address: [Address]
Email: [Email]
Phone: [Phone]

Provider: [Legal name or business name]
Address: [Address]
Email: [Email]
Phone: [Phone]

2. SERVICE LOCATION

Services will be performed at:

[Full property address]

3. SERVICES

Provider will perform the services listed in Schedule A, which is attached to this Agreement.

Services include:

[Describe rooms, areas, tasks and frequency.]

Services do not include:

[List exclusions.]

4. SCHEDULE

Services will occur on:

[Days and frequency]

Service window:

[Start time] to [End time]

Changes to the schedule require:

[Written notice or mutual approval]

5. PRICE AND PAYMENT

Client will pay:

[$ amount per visit, $ amount per hour or $ amount per month]

Invoices will be issued:

[When]

Payment is due:

[Number] days after invoicing.

Additional approved services will be charged at:

[$ amount or pricing method]

6. SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

Provider will supply:

[List]

Client will supply:

[List]

7. ACCESS AND SECURITY

Client will provide:

[Keys, codes and access instructions]

Provider must protect all keys, codes and confidential information and must return access devices when this Agreement ends.

8. QUALITY AND SERVICE ISSUES

Client must report service deficiencies in writing within [number] hours or days after the service visit. Provider will have a reasonable opportunity to correct deficiencies involving tasks included in Schedule A.

9. DAMAGE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Provider is responsible for direct physical damage caused by Provider's negligent acts or omissions. Client is responsible for identifying fragile, defective or unusually valuable property before service begins.

10. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Provider will not handle biohazards, sharps, mold, asbestos, pest infestations or other hazardous substances unless the parties approve a separate written agreement identifying the required procedures, qualifications, equipment and price.

11. TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement begins on [DATE] and continues until [DATE or ongoing].

Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving [number] days' written notice. Either party may terminate immediately for a material breach that is not corrected within [number] days after written notice.

12. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [State].

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement and Schedule A contain the entire agreement between the parties. Changes must be in writing and approved by both parties.

CLIENT

Name: __________________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: ___________________________

PROVIDER

Name: __________________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: ___________________________

Schedule A: Scope of Work

Attach a completed schedule to the main agreement.

SCHEDULE A
SCOPE OF WORK

Service address:
[Full address]

Property type:
[Home, office, retail space or other]

Approximate square footage:
[Square footage]

Included areas and tasks:

| Area | Included tasks | Frequency |
|------|-----------------|-----------|
| [Area] | [Tasks] | [Frequency] |
| [Area] | [Tasks] | [Frequency] |
| [Area] | [Tasks] | [Frequency] |

Supplies and equipment provided by Provider:
[List]

Supplies and equipment provided by Client:
[List]

Excluded work:
[List]

Special instructions:
[List]

Price for additional approved work:
[Amount or hourly rate]

Client approval:
Name: __________________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: ___________________________

Provider approval:
Name: __________________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: ___________________________

Final Checklist Before Signing

Confirm that the agreement:

• Names the correct legal parties
• Uses the correct cleaning address
• Lists each included task
• Lists important exclusions
• States the price and payment date
• Explains approval for extra work
• Assigns supplies and equipment
• Sets cancellation and termination rules
• Covers keys, alarms and privacy
• Avoids incorrect worker classification
• Identifies hazardous work that is excluded
• Includes the effective date and signatures
• Attaches the completed Scope of Work and price sheet

For a simple home cleaning arrangement, a two- to four-page agreement with a detailed checklist may be enough. A large commercial property, healthcare facility, school, industrial site or recurring contract with multiple workers should receive legal review before use.