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A cleaning service contract is a written agreement that spells out the work you’ll provide, how often you’ll do it, and what the client will pay. It protects both you and your clients, sets clear expectations, and prevents misunderstandings about what’s included and excluded.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common types of cleaning contracts, from basic service agreements to ongoing maintenance plans and specialty add-on contracts. You’ll also find practical examples and free templates to help you build reliable agreements for your business.
Key takeaways
You can create cleaning service contracts by following a clear process:
Define scope of work: List tasks, service levels, and limits so expectations stay aligned.
Include transparent terms: Outline costs, schedules, and any installation or financing options.
Add legal protections: Include basic liability, warranty, cancellation, and termination language.
Customize contracts: Tailor each agreement to the property type, frequency, and specific cleaning needs.
Streamline with tools: Use software to create contracts, capture e‑signatures, and manage renewals.
Jump ahead
Common types of cleaning company contracts
Cleaning companies use different contracts for different jobs. Here are the most common ones and when to use them.
Residential cleaning contracts
Residential service agreements work for homes or other residential clients who need recurring cleaning services.
Typical terms include:
- Specific services included (dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms, kitchens)
- Visit frequency (weekly, biweekly, or monthly)
- Pricing and payment terms
- Policies for cancellations, rescheduling, and access
Recurring maintenance contracts
A maintenance contract covers more complex or long-term recurring cleaning for homes or commercial spaces that require consistent care beyond basic visits. These contracts are typically used for:
- Routine interior upkeep (weekly, biweekly, or monthly)
- Scheduled deep cleans
- Seasonal tasks (e.g., spring cleaning, quarterly floor care)
Maintenance plans are usually billed at a flat monthly or quarterly rate, which helps clients budget and gives you more predictable revenue and staffing.
Specialty add-on contract
Specialty contracts cover extra services outside your standard scope, such as:
- Carpet cleaning or extraction
- Window washing and glass cleaning
- Oven and fridge cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Pet or odor cleanup
These tasks require different tools, more labor, or additional safety considerations.
Use a separate add‑on agreement when clients ask for services outside their routine visits. This keeps job scope, timing, and rates crystal clear and protects you from doing unpaid work.
Commercial cleaning contracts
Commercial properties often have extra needs that don’t apply to homes. Use commercial contracts when working for offices, retail spaces, medical facilities, or any site with unique requirements.
Typical terms include:
- After-hours access and lock-up procedures
- Alarm, key, or fob handling
- Waste removal and recycling rules
- Supply restocking and consumables
- Building-specific policies or compliance requirements
Construction / post-renovation cleaning contracts
These contracts cover cleaning after construction, remodeling, or renovation projects. Use them for builders, contractors, or property owners who need a fully cleaned space post-construction.
Typical terms include:
- Debris removal and dust cleanup
- Floor, window, and surface cleaning
- Timeline for completion
- Safety protocols and equipment handling
Industrial cleaning contracts
These are agreements for factories, warehouses, or plants that require heavy-duty or specialized cleaning.
Typical terms include:
- Equipment and machinery cleaning
- Handling of hazardous materials or chemicals
- Safety and compliance requirements
- Schedule and scope of industrial maintenance
One-time / event cleaning contracts
These contracts work for single jobs or special events, such as deep cleans, move-ins/move-outs, or pre/post-event cleaning.
Typical terms include:
- Defined scope and date
- Flat fee or per-hour pricing
- Access, equipment, and supply requirements
Payment plans
Payment plan agreements lay out how and when a client will pay for services, including financing options for larger jobs. They’re helpful when customers want to break costs into smaller installments, when big commercial projects are billed in phases, or when offering flexible financing can help close a sale.
Cleaning companies use these templates for jobs like:
- Move‑out and move‑in cleans
- Post‑construction or renovation cleaning
- High‑ticket deep cleaning packages
- Large commercial projects billed across defined milestones
Typical terms include:
- Payment schedule and accepted methods
- Late-payment policies and consequences
- Milestone billing for large commercial or deep-clean projects
What to include in a cleaning company service contract
Whether you specialize in house cleaning, commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, office cleaning, or even car detailing, most cleaning contracts have the same core details. However, fields may vary slightly based on equipment, safety, or frequency.
Here’s what every cleaning contract should include:
- Business and client details: List your company name, address, and contact information, along with the client’s details. This creates a formal record of who is entering the agreement.
- Scope of work: Explain the tasks included in the service. For niche services, note any exclusions or limits to avoid confusion.
- Materials and equipment covered: Clarify what your team provides and whether clients must supply anything.
- Frequency or duration of service: State how often you’ll clean and, for projects, the general timeline.
- Pricing and payment terms: Outline cost, billing, due dates, accepted methods, and late‑payment terms. This section supports both standard invoicing and payment plan structures.
- Warranty and liability: Describe what your company is responsible for and any reasonable limits on damage coverage.
- Termination and cancellation clauses: Note how either party can end the agreement, notice periods, and any early‑termination fees.
- Signatures and dates: Both the client and business representative should sign and date the contract to validate the agreement.
It’s best to have a local attorney review your base template so you know it aligns with applicable laws in your state before you reuse or adjust it.
Pro tip: Use Housecall Pro’s contract features to build digital contracts, collect e-signatures, and automate renewals, all from one place.
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How to create a cleaning company service contract (step by step)
Now that you understand the different types of cleaning company contracts and what to include, here are the steps to take to actually write a contract.
Step 1: Gather client and business information
Start with the basics. Collect the client’s name, company (if applicable), service address and billing address, point of contact, and preferred communication method. Add your business name, address, entity type, and state of registration.
This section makes it easier to track accounts and avoid confusion when you manage multiple locations.
Step 2: Define the scope of work
List the exact tasks you will complete, written in clear, specific terms. Break items down by room, area, or category depending on the property type.
Step 3: List materials and equipment covered
Specify which cleaning supplies, tools, or chemicals your company provides. If the client must supply anything, like trash liners or restroom consumables, this is the place to make a note of it.
For specialty services like carpet cleaning, pressure washing, or car detailing, also outline the equipment or system used so the client knows what to expect from the start.
Step 4: Set service frequency and duration
Spell out how often you’ll clean (for example, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or one‑time) and the typical length of each visit. Include seasonal or periodic deep cleans if they’re part of the agreement.
Step 5: Establish pricing and payment terms
Outline the total price or rate structure (per visit, per square foot, per hour, or per package), billing cycle (per visit, weekly, monthly, or at milestones), and accepted payment methods. If you offer installments or financing options, include how the plan works, the number of payments, due dates, and late-payment terms and fees.
Step 6: Include warranty and liability details
Explain how you handle damage, re-clean requests, or service concerns. Outline any exclusions or limits so both sides understand their responsibilities. This section should offer transparency to clients while protecting your business from unfair claims.
Step 7: Add termination clauses
Describe how either party can end the agreement, how much notice you require, and whether there are any early‑termination fees. This protects your team from abrupt schedule changes and gives clients a straightforward exit process if their needs change.
Step 8: Sign and date
Contracts aren’t legally binding until they’re signed. Add space for printed names, signatures, and dates for both parties so there’s no ambiguity about who agreed to the terms. A properly signed agreement also gives your business a clear legal framework to reference if disputes ever arise, offering clarity and protection for both sides.
Digital signatures are valid and often the most efficient option.
Step 9: Review and customize
Before sending, read through and tweak details for the specific client, property, or niche service. Minor tweaks to scope, schedule, and special conditions make the contract feel tailored, not generic.
Cleaning service contract template
Use this template as a starting point for any residential, light commercial, or specialty cleaning agreement. Customize the details for each client or property type.
Cleaning Service Agreement
This Cleaning Service Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into on [Date] by and between:
Service provider:
Company Name: [Your Company Name]
Address: [Your Company Address]
Phone: [Your Company Phone]
Email: [Your Company Email]
Client:
Name: [Client Name or Company Name]
Address: [Client Address]
Phone: [Client Phone]
Email: [Client Email]
Scope of work:
[List all services to be performed]
Frequency of service:
[Weekly / Biweekly / Monthly / One-time]
Materials and equipment:
- Service Provider provides: [List supplies and equipment]
- Client provides (if any): [List client-provided items]
Pricing and payment terms:
- Total cost: $[Amount]
- Billing schedule: [Per visit / Weekly / Monthly / Milestone]
- Accepted payment methods: [Cash / Check / Credit Card / Online Payment]
- Late payment fee: $[Amount or %] after [X] days
Warranty and liability:
- Service Provider performs services professionally and with reasonable care
- Not responsible for pre-existing damage
- Damage claims must be reported within [X] days
Termination and cancellation:
- Either party may terminate with [X] days’ notice
- Cancellation notice: [X] hours required
- Late cancellations may incur a fee of $[Amount]
Signatures:
Service provider: ________________________ Date: ___________
Client: ________________________________ Date: ___________
Cleaning service contract sample
Cleaning Service Agreement
This Cleaning Service Agreement (“Agreement”) is made on Jan. 1, 2026, by and between:
Service provider:
SparklePro Cleaning Services
123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: info@sparklepro.com
Client:
Jessica Thompson
56 Oak Avenue, Anytown, USA 12345
Phone: (555) 987-6543
Email: jessica.thompson@email.com
Scope of work:
- Vacuum all carpets and rugs
- Sweep and mop all hard floors
- Dust surfaces, shelves, and counters
- Clean bathrooms: sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, mirrors
- Clean kitchen: counters, sinks, exterior of appliances, cabinets
- Empty trash in all rooms
- Make beds and straighten common areas
Frequency of service: Every Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.–12 p.m.
Service duration: Ongoing, beginning Jan. 8, 2026
Materials and equipment:
- Provided by Service Provider: All cleaning supplies and equipment
- Provided by Client: Trash liners, specialty cleaning products for delicate surfaces
Pricing and payment terms:
- Service Fee: $150 per visit
- Billing: Monthly, invoices issued on the 1st for previous month’s services
- Payment methods: Credit card, check, online payment
- Late payment fee: $15 if payment not received within 10 days
Warranty and liability:
- Services performed professionally and with reasonable care
- Not liable for preexisting damage
- Any damage caused by Service Provider must be reported within 48 hours
Termination and cancellation:
- Termination by either party with 14 days’ written notice
- Cancellation notice: 24 hours required
- Late cancellation fee: $50
Access and special considerations:
- Client will provide key or lockbox code
- Service Provider will maintain safety around pets (two dogs in the home)
Governing law: State of [Your State]
Entire agreement: This document represents the full agreement between Parties
Signatures:
Service Provider: Rachel Adams ________________________ Date: 12/15/2025
Client: Jessica Thompson ____________________________ Date: 12/15/2025
How Housecall Pro’s cleaning software can help
Managing contracts doesn’t have to mean juggling paper folders and scattered PDFs. Many cleaning businesses spend more time than they need to on paperwork.
Housecall Pro gives you a simple way to create, track, and maintain every contract your company uses. It supports residential, commercial, and specialty cleaning teams by keeping documents organized and connected to the rest of your workflow.
With our cleaning software, you can:
- Create and store digital contracts: Build templates once and reuse them for every new client.
- Collect e-signatures on-site or remotely: Get signed agreements in minutes, not days.
- Automate recurring maintenance contracts: Set renewal dates, service intervals, and reminders without manual follow-up.
- Link contracts to invoices and payments: Keep billing tied to the exact scope of work your client approved.
- Track renewals and contract expirations: Never miss an update, deadline, or upcoming change in service.
This helps you spend less time on admin and more time growing your recurring client base. Start your free 14-day trial today.
FAQ
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How do you write a cleaning service agreement?
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To write a cleaning service agreement, start with a clear structure: business and client info, scope of work, pricing and payment terms, frequency, and liability details. Also include clear start dates, termination terms, and a place for signatures. Most companies build a template they can adjust for each client. This keeps things consistent while giving room to customize for the space and job type.
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What’s the difference between residential and commercial cleaning contracts?
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Residential and commercial cleaning contracts mainly differ in complexity and compliance. Residential contracts focus on household tasks, visit frequency, and access. Commercial agreements must address things like building policies, after-hours entry, supply restocking, specialized equipment, and sometimes industry-specific regulations. The core elements are similar, but commercial jobs usually need more detail to match business operations and security protocols.
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Do I need a lawyer to draft my cleaning contracts?
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While many companies start with templates, a legal review can be valuable—especially for commercial jobs or unique service agreements. An attorney can check for compliance with state laws and point out unclear language. Once you have a solid base template, you can customize it for everyday use without repeated legal fees.
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How often should cleaning contracts be updated?
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Review cleaning contracts annually or after major business changes. Update terms when you add new services, adjust pricing, revise liability language, or expand into commercial work. Contracts should reflect your current operations, not outdated policies. Regular reviews help protect your business and give clients a clear understanding of what they can expect.