Commercial cleaning contracts have grown from two-page handshakes into ten-page legal documents. Most facility managers skim them. That's a mistake — the fine print controls what happens when service slips, when your building changes, and when either party wants out.
Scope of Work Attachment
The scope should be an addendum, not a paragraph. It lists every task, every frequency, and every included consumable. If a task isn't in the scope, it's an extra charge — no exceptions.
Term and Renewal
One-year initial terms with 30-day termination-for-convenience are the current standard. Avoid auto-renewal clauses that don't require affirmative consent.
Insurance Requirements
- $2M general liability minimum.
- Workers' compensation with waiver of subrogation.
- $1M auto liability for on-site vehicles.
- Your facility named as additional insured on the certificate.
Price Escalation
Look for annual CPI-linked escalators (typically 3-5%). Fixed-price multi-year contracts without escalators result in cut corners as the vendor's labor costs rise.
Termination and Holdover
30-day termination-for-convenience protects both parties. Holdover clauses should require the outgoing vendor to complete transition tasks — supply inventory, keys, alarm codes, and one final deep clean.
Straightforward Contracts, No Games
Every Blue Collar contract includes a plain-English scope, 30-day termination, and full insurance disclosure up front.