What Should Be Included in a Commercial Cleaning Service Agreement?

A commercial cleaning service agreement helps your business and cleaning company start with the same expectations. It should explain what will be cleaned, how often service will happen, what is included, what is excluded, and how both sides will communicate. This article is not legal advice. Before signing any agreement, review the terms carefully and consult a qualified professional if your business needs legal guidance.

If you are still comparing providers, see how to choose the right commercial cleaning company or review questions to ask before hiring a commercial cleaning company.

What is a commercial cleaning service agreement?

A commercial cleaning service agreement is a written outline of the cleaning relationship between your business and the cleaning company. It should make the service clear enough that both sides understand the work, schedule, responsibilities, and expectations before cleaning begins.

For a business, the agreement helps prevent confusion about what the cleaner will do during each visit. For the cleaning company, it helps define the scope of service so the team can clean consistently and avoid misunderstandings.

A good agreement may include:

  • Business name and service location
  • Cleaning company name and contact details
  • Areas to be cleaned
  • Tasks included in each visit
  • Cleaning frequency
  • Supply responsibilities
  • Pricing and payment terms
  • Cancellation or schedule-change process
  • Exclusions or safety limitations

A-1 Quality Cleaning describes commercial cleaning as cleaning for businesses, offices, and other workspaces, with the goal of keeping spaces clean, presentable, and easier for staff, visitors, and customers to use. Its commercial cleaning services in Fishers may include restrooms, counters, shared surfaces, floors, trash, high-touch spots, entry glass, and breakroom areas depending on the building and client needs. (A1 Quality Cleaning)

What scope of work should be included in a commercial cleaning agreement?

The commercial cleaning scope of work should be the clearest part of the agreement. This section should list the rooms, surfaces, and tasks included so there is no guessing later.

For example, your scope may include:

  • Restroom cleaning and disinfecting
  • Trash removal
  • Vacuuming carpeted areas
  • Cleaning hard floors
  • Wiping counters and shared surfaces
  • Cleaning breakrooms
  • Dusting horizontal surfaces
  • Cleaning high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, and handrails
  • Replacing client-supplied soap, paper products, or trash liners when needed

Scope matters because cleaning needs are not the same in every workspace. A small office may need routine surface cleaning and trash removal, while a busier business may need more frequent restroom, entryway, and breakroom attention.

The CDC recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly and cleaning other surfaces when they are visibly dirty. It also notes that surfaces should be cleaned before sanitizing or disinfecting because dirt can make sanitizing or disinfecting products less effective. (CDC)

Your agreement should also state what is not included. A-1 Quality Cleaning says it does not clean areas involving feces, blood, contaminants, or other health hazards, which is the kind of exclusion businesses should understand before service begins. (A1 Quality Cleaning)

How should pricing, schedule, and cleaning frequency be explained?

Commercial cleaning pricing and schedule details should be written clearly, even if the final cost is customized to your space. The agreement should explain how often the team will clean, what time or day service usually happens, and how schedule changes are handled.

Pricing can depend on factors such as:

  • Size of the workspace
  • Number of rooms or restrooms
  • Cleaning frequency
  • Type of surfaces and flooring
  • Scope of work
  • Supply needs
  • Special requests

A-1 Quality Cleaning states that commercial cleaning cost depends on the type of space and what the business needs, and that the best way to get exact pricing is to request a quote. (A1 Quality Cleaning)

The agreement should also clarify cleaning supplies. OSHA and NIOSH note that some cleaning chemicals can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and they recommend choosing the least hazardous cleaner that can complete the task when sanitizing or disinfecting is not required. (OSHA)

If your business has preferences about products, scents, allergies, or natural cleaning options, ask for those details to be written into the service expectations. A-1 Quality Cleaning notes that natural cleaning products are available on request for commercial clients. (A1 Quality Cleaning)

What terms should you review before signing a commercial cleaning contract?

Before signing a commercial cleaning contract, review the practical terms that affect day-to-day service. The goal is not to make the agreement complicated. The goal is to make it clear.

Pay close attention to:

  • Service start date
  • Cleaning frequency
  • Areas included and excluded
  • Payment timing and accepted payment methods
  • Supply responsibilities
  • Building access instructions
  • Cancellation or rescheduling rules
  • Process for reporting concerns
  • Insurance, bonding, or background-check information
  • Any limits on the type of cleaning performed

A-1 Quality Cleaning states that it does criminal background checks on all employees, is bonded and insured, is incorporated in Indiana, carries $2,000,000 in liability insurance and a $10,000 bond, and will return within 24 hours if there is a problem with service quality. (A1 Quality Cleaning)

You may also want to ask how keys, alarm codes, and after-hours access are handled. If your business has private offices, customer records, equipment, or restricted areas, those access rules should be discussed before cleaning begins.

For businesses comparing nearby options, commercial cleaning services near me can help you evaluate local providers before choosing one.

Get Clear Commercial Cleaning Expectations Before You Start

A clear agreement helps your business know what to expect and helps your cleaning team deliver consistent service. If your office, small business, or professional workspace needs dependable cleaning support, A-1 Quality Cleaning can help you talk through service scope, scheduling, and expectations before service begins.

Contact A-1 Quality Cleaning to request a commercial cleaning quote and build a cleaning plan that fits your workspace.