Before signing a commercial cleaning contract, check that it attaches your written scope, states the term and price, explains how prices and scope can change, sets performance standards and a way to fix failures, confirms the contractor's insurance and workforce obligations, and lets you exit if standards are not met. This is general guidance, not legal advice, so have a lawyer review any contract of real value.
Is the scope part of the contract?
The scope of work should be a schedule to the contract, with tasks, areas and frequencies. If the scope lives only in a quote or email, it may not be enforceable. Check that the contract refers to it and that anything excluded is stated. How to write a cleaning scope of work shows how.
What are the term and the price?
Check the start date, the length of the term, whether it renews automatically and what the price covers each week or month. Check whether GST is included and what is charged separately, such as periodic work or extra visits.
How can the price change?
Look for any clause that lets the contractor increase the price during the term. A reasonable contract states when and how, for example at a set review date or when the rules governing cleaners' pay change. Be wary of open-ended rights to raise prices.
How are variations handled?
Buildings change. The contract should say how extra areas, extra visits or reduced services are agreed and priced, and that changes are confirmed in writing. Without this, scope arguments become price arguments.
What standard is promised, and what happens if it is missed?
Look for a defined standard, an inspection routine and a process for raising and fixing issues, including how quickly the contractor must respond. The strongest contracts include a right to have missed work redone at no charge and a path to end the agreement for repeated failures. See how cleaning quality is audited.
What does the contract say about insurance and workers?
The contract should require current public liability and workers' compensation cover and make the contractor responsible for meeting its workers' pay and entitlements, including under the Cleaning Services Award where it applies. Ask to see certificates before the start date.
How can either side end it?
Check the notice period, whether you can terminate for poor performance without waiting out the term, and whether there are exit fees. Also check what the contractor must return on exit, such as keys, fobs and access cards. If you end up switching, see how to change cleaning contractor without disruption.
What to do next
Mark up your draft against this list before you sign, and put any questions to the contractor in writing. If you would like to see our contract approach alongside a scope for your building, book a walkthrough.