A robust cleaning contract has the power to mitigate liability and protect your business to ensure its long-lasting success.

Plus, a great cleaning contract has the ability to:

• Outline the full scope of services to the clients
• Set clear expectations for both parties to follow
• Offer a mutual agreement between both parties on services rendered

When correctly executed, your cleaning contract has the power to streamline communication between the business and client to reduce the chances of miscommunication.

This article simplifies the process of creating a robust cleaning contract to establish and maintain mutual accountability for agreements.

Streamline communication between the business and the client!Download Your FREE Cleaning Contract Template NOW! 1. Top Elements to Include in Your Cleaning Contract Ensure total mutual understanding between the business and client by including these top elements in your cleaning contract:

1. Extent of Work
   • State what the service includes.
2. Services
   • State the requested services and specifics about each.
     • E.g. front door access to the house, room access, etc.
   • Include a service description.
     • E.g. house cleaning, kitchen appliance cleaning, interior cabinet cleaning, etc.
3. Property Description
   • List any pre-existing damages or conditions within the property description during the final estimate.
     • Plus, you can add before and after pictures to the client’s account for easy documentation within Service Autopilot.
4. Guarantee
   • State there’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
5. Contract Pricing
   • State the agreed upon price.
   • Explain how you’ll be charging for services.
     • E.g. flat fee, hourly rate, room rate, square foot rate, etc.
       • Generally, many established cleaning businesses prefer charging a flat fee since it’s centered around value-based pricing. Although, new cleaning businesses should be cautious when using this method since you don’t yet have known set cleaning time averages.
   • For commercial contracts, mention retainers when applicable.
6. Payments
   • State due dates and payment information.
7. Legal Compliance
   • State that your business is abiding by all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
8. Insurance
   • The business has adequate insurance. You may also include your insurer.
9. Unexpected Costs
   • The client understands any unexpected costs or loss in profitability may change their price.
10. Arbitration
    • All disputes will be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance to the rules set by the American Arbitration Association.
11. Final Disclosure
    • In the final disclosure, provide a complete explanation of the contract being final. Both parties need to sign any further amendments in writing.

Your Cleaning Contract Outline Even though this outline is a great start in creating a robust contract, you’ll still need to adjust it to meet your cleaning business’ needs.

Examine all of the essential factors of your business to predict any potential misunderstandings or points of conflict needing to be included.

As always, meet with a trusted lawyer or legal consultant to verify all essential elements have been incorporated.

1. Document the Requested Services Ensure mutual understanding of expectations by documenting the requested services within your cleaning contract.

For example, if you need access to set areas of the house, then document it in the contract. Also, be sure to detail everything included in the cleaning service.

Plus, remember you can always adjust pricing if unexpected costs arise.

Take a look at a few disclaimers to consider including in your contract:

• The client’s price may be adjusted to reflect unpredictable changes, unexpected costs, challenges, or loss in profitability.
• The [cleaning business name] will seek to avoid any property damage. Although, no promises can be made. Any damages caused by [cleaning business name] will be covered by [insurance provider name].
• The client understands they’re required to provide free access to the areas needing cleaning services (e.g. front door access to the house, room access, etc.).
• The service price includes all essential labor, equipment, chemicals, and travel.

While these disclaimers are a great starting point, you’ll want to adjust them to meet the individual needs of your business.

1. Provide an Explanation of the Payment Process By providing an explanation of the payment process, you’re informing clients on how they’ll be paying for their services.

For instance, are clients paying via credit card, cash, check, etc.?

Plus, you can receive same-day automated payments when using Service Autopilot. Which means, you can minimize the chances of late-paying and non-paying clients.

In addition, make sure to include due dates, declined payments, late fees, non-payment penalties, and all other payment stipulations.

1. ALWAYS Consult With a Lawyer or Legal Consultant Before Finalizing Proper legal counsel is the only way to ensure your contract is secure and free of legal conflict, liability, incorrect language, and more.

Before finalizing ANY contracts or other legally binding documents, it’s important to ALWAYS consult with a trusted lawyer or legal consultant.

Automations is the #1 way to follow up with clients. If you’re not using it, your business might still be successful - but it won’t grow. Start Automations TourIn Service Autopilot, our automations send emails and texts to:​Every lead after an estimate is completedClients after their property has been serviced​Remind leads and clients to send you customer feedback​Update outdated or declined payment information​Inform them when a service can’t be completed due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather)​Remind them of maintenance tips (i.e. putting a cover on the outdoor faucet before the winter)​Start Automations Tour 5. The Best Cleaning Service Software Secures Electronic Signatures for You When you use the best cleaning service software, you can easily secure electronic signatures with a validated timestamped IP address.

Do this by saving your cleaning contract within Service Autopilot to acquire your client’s digital signature via email.

Plus, the #1 cleaning service software gives you the power to streamline your daily tasks with:

• Automate follow-ups
• Instantly optimize routes
• Automatic two-way texting
• Manage jobs from anywhere
• Same-day automated payments
• Create quick estimates on-the-go
• Quickly schedule jobs in a few clicks
• Track employee location and job progress
• Remote estimate creation with Smart Maps

Also, Service Autopilot solves your everyday problems like:

• Reducing late payments
• Increasing recurring revenue
• Sending automated appointment reminders
• Accessing client account history from anywhere
• Securing timestamped electronic signatures with an IP address

Push past your business’ biggest bottlenecks FAST using the most powerful cleaning service software on the market - Service Autopilot.

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Start Software Tour Protect Your Business With a Robust Cleaning Contract Finally, you can use your cleaning contract to mitigate liabilities, protect your business for future growth, and maintain trusting relationships with clients.

Your new cleaning contract can:

• Create mutual trusting relationships with clients
• Set clear expectations and obligations for both parties
• Ensure there’s no miscommunication between either party

Remember, you must ALWAYS meet with a trusted lawyer or legal consultant before finalizing your cleaning contract. They can ensure all legal bases are covered within the contract.

Even though creating a robust cleaning contract might seem too complex, you can use this simplified process to start on yours today!

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Related: How Much to Charge for House Cleaning

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Originally published Feb 24, 2022 7:00 AM

The post Free Cleaning Contract Template: Complete in 5 Quick Steps appeared first on Service Autopilot.