Download the cleaning contract template
The pack holds three versions for residential cleaning businesses, solo or with a small team. You get a weekly, biweekly or monthly agreement, a one-time and deep cleaning contract, and a move-in and move-out contract. Each comes in Word, PDF and Google Doc, plus a Canada version with CAD amounts, a GST/HST line and a provincial governing-law line.
What a house cleaning contract should include
A house cleaning contract should include the contact information of both parties, the address and type of home, and the cleaning services included room by room, with clear exclusions. It should also specify the schedule and arrival window, the price and payment terms, and the cancellation and lockout policy. Then come the responsibilities on each side: home access, pets and fragile items, who pays for breakage, the re-clean policy, and how the agreement ends.
The 12 elements in our cleaning contract template:
- Parties: your cleaning business and the client, with contact details
- Address and home type: size and number of rooms
- Tasks by room: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas
- Exclusions: inside oven, inside fridge, exterior windows, laundry, biohazards
- Frequency and arrival window: weekly, biweekly, monthly, one-time
- Price and billing: flat rate per clean or hourly
- Payment terms and late fees
- Cancellation and lockout: notice period and fees
- Keys, codes and alarms: how you get in
- Pets and fragile items: what you will not handle
- Breakage and insurance: reporting window and liability limits
- Term, termination and signatures: how the contract runs, how it ends
The full cleaning contract, clause by clause
Not legal advice. The clauses below are a starting point. Have a local attorney review them before you use them with clients.
Words in brackets are blanks to fill in. Each clause has its own anchor (#clause-1 to #clause-13), followed by a short note on why it matters for a residential cleaning business.
1. Parties and service address
1. Parties and address. This Cleaning Service Agreement is made on [Date] between [Business legal name], [Address], [Phone], [Email] ("Cleaner") and [Client name], [Billing address], [Phone], [Email] ("Client"), for cleaning services at [Service address], a [house / condo / apartment] of approx. [X] square feet with [X] bedrooms and [X] bathrooms ("Home").
Why this clause matters. Your price depends on the size of the home. Writing the square footage and room count into the cleaning contract gives your business a fair basis to requote if the homeowner later adds the basement or a guest suite. The contact details also tell you where invoices and notices go.
2. Scope of services: what is and is not included
2. Scope of cleaning services. At each visit Cleaner will provide the following cleaning services. Kitchen: wipe counters, exterior of appliances, sink and backsplash; clean stovetop; empty trash. Bathrooms: clean toilets, tubs, showers, sinks, mirrors. All rooms: dust reachable surfaces, vacuum, mop hard floors, make beds [if linens are left out]. Not included unless added in writing: inside oven, inside fridge, inside cabinets, exterior windows, walls, laundry, dishes [beyond [X] items], and any biohazards (mold, bodily fluids, pest waste). Add-on services are billed at the rates in Schedule A.
Why this clause matters. "I thought that was included" drives many cleaning complaints. A room-by-room list ensures every visit is held to the same standard, and named exclusions turn the inside of the oven into a paid add-on instead of a free favor.
3. Schedule, frequency and arrival window
3. Schedule. Cleaner will clean the Home [weekly / every two weeks / monthly / once] on [Day], arriving between [Time] and [Time]. Visits that fall on holiday dates will be moved to the nearest available day. A visit takes approximately [X] hours with [X] cleaners; actual time may vary.
Why this clause matters. An arrival window instead of a fixed time helps you absorb traffic and a long previous job. Stating the expected duration heads off "you were only here two hours" when two cleaners did the work.
4. Pricing, billing and payment terms
4. Price and payment terms. Client will pay [$[Amount] per clean / $[Amount] per cleaner-hour] for the cleaning services in Section 2. Payment is [charged to the card on file on the day of service / invoiced and due within [X] days]. Accepted methods: [card, ACH, check]. A late fee of $[Amount] applies to payments over [X] days late. Cleaner may suspend service on past-due accounts.
Why this clause matters. A card on file charged on the day of service removes most collection problems before they start. If you're invoicing instead, the late fee and suspension right give your business leverage without an awkward conversation. Transparent payment terms are easy to repeat on every invoice.
5. Cancellations, rescheduling and lockout fees
5. Cancellations and lockouts. Client may reschedule or cancel a visit with at least [48] hours' notice at no charge. Cancellations with less notice are charged [X]% of the visit price. If Cleaner cannot enter the Home at the scheduled time (locked door, wrong code, no one home), a lockout fee of [X]% of the visit price applies.
Why this clause matters. A same-day cancellation leaves a hole in your schedule you cannot fill. In our filled-in example we use 50% for cancellations under 48 hours and the full visit price for a lockout. Those are template values, not a market survey: choose numbers you will actually enforce.
6. Keys, alarm codes and home access
6. Access. Client will provide access by [key / lockbox / door code / being home]. Cleaner will store keys and codes securely, labeled without the Client's address, and will return keys within [X] days of the end of this Agreement. Client will provide alarm codes and inform Cleaner of any change before the next visit.
Why this clause matters. Saying how you store keys, without the address attached, reassures homeowners. The code-change line stops the alarm company from showing up because nobody told you the code changed.
7. Pets, valuables and fragile items
7. Pets and valuables. Client will tell Cleaner about pets and secure any pet that may be aggressive or may escape. Cleaner will not be responsible for pets that leave through doors opened in the normal course of cleaning, unless Client gave written instructions that Cleaner did not follow. Client will put away cash, jewelry and items of high or sentimental value. Cleaner will not move furniture over [X] pounds or clean items Client has marked as fragile.
Why this clause matters. An escaped cat or a broken heirloom can end a cleaning relationship. Asking the homeowner to secure pets and put away valuables shifts the risk to the person who knows the home best.
8. Supplies and equipment
8. Supplies. Cleaner will bring [all supplies and equipment / equipment only, with Client supplying products]. If Client requests specific products, Client will provide them [or reimburse Cleaner at cost]. Cleaner will not use products on surfaces where the manufacturer advises against them.
Why this clause matters. Homeowners with stone counters or allergies may want their own cleaning products. Specify who provides the supplies and who brings the equipment for each job.
9. Damage, breakage and insurance
9. Breakage and insurance. Cleaner carries general liability insurance [and a janitorial or fidelity bond] and will provide proof on request. Client must report damage within [24 / 48] hours of the visit. Cleaner will repair, replace or pay the reasonable cost of items damaged by Cleaner's negligence, up to [the item's actual cash value / $[Amount] per incident]. Cleaner is not responsible for normal wear, items improperly secured, or pre-existing damage.
Why this clause matters. A short reporting window and a value cap keep a broken vase from turning into a dispute months later. Whether a cap or a short reporting window holds up depends on local law, so have it reviewed. The clause is only worth something if your insurance backs it. Read our guide to cleaning business insurance before you sign anything that says you are insured or bonded.
10. Satisfaction guarantee and re-clean policy
10. Re-clean. If Client is not satisfied with an area, Client will notify Cleaner within [24] hours with photos, and Cleaner will return to re-clean that area at no charge within [X] days. Re-cleaning is Client's sole remedy for quality issues; refunds are not provided.
Why this clause matters. A re-clean costs an hour; a refund costs the whole visit. Photos within 24 hours keep complaints specific. A sole-remedy, no-refund clause may not hold up under consumer protection law everywhere, so have it reviewed.
11. Non-solicitation of cleaners
11. Non-solicitation. During this Agreement and for [X] months after it ends, Client agrees not to hire any of Cleaner's employees directly for cleaning services without Cleaner's written consent [or will pay a placement fee of $[Amount]].
Why this clause matters. A client hiring your cleaner away costs you the client and the employee. Whether this clause is legally enforceable depends on your state or province and how it is worded, so have it reviewed.
12. Term, price changes and termination
12. Term and termination. This Agreement starts on [Date] and continues until either party ends it with [14] days' notice in writing. Cleaner may change prices with [30] days' notice in writing. Client pays for all visits completed up to the termination date. Cleaner will return keys within [X] days.
12a. Right to cancel (in-person sales only). [Keep this paragraph if you sold this Agreement in person at Client's home or anywhere other than your place of business; delete it otherwise.] You, the buyer, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right.
Why this clause matters. An open-ended agreement with short notice fits ongoing cleaning services, and the 30-day price notice makes annual increases routine.
If you sell door to door (US). The FTC Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) covers consumer sales of $25 or more made in person at the buyer's home, and $130 or more at other places away from your place of business. The buyer can cancel until midnight of the third business day after the sale; Saturdays count, Sundays and federal holidays do not. You must tell the buyer about this right at the time of sale, hand over two copies of a cancellation form and a dated contract or receipt showing your name and address, in the language you used to sell, and refund within 10 days of a cancellation. The rule leaves out sales made entirely online, by mail or by phone, and sales that follow earlier negotiations at your permanent place of business. Many states add their own door-to-door rules, and Canadian provinces set their own, so check with your state attorney general or provincial consumer protection office. The pack includes the cancellation notice as a separate page.
13. Signatures
13. General terms and signatures. This Agreement is governed by the laws of [State/Province]. It is the entire agreement between the parties and may only be changed in writing signed by both. Electronic signatures are valid.
Cleaner: ________________ Printed name: [Name], Title: [Title], Date: [Date]
Client: ________________ Printed name: [Name], Date: [Date]
Schedule A: add-on services and rates [list]
Why this clause matters. Sign before the first clean. In the US, the federal ESIGN Act says a signature or contract cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic (15 U.S.C. 7001); your state or province can add its own rules. The governing-law line is the one Canadian users must change.
Recurring vs one-time vs move-out cleaning contracts
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| Recurring | One-time and deep clean | Move-in and move-out | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing and payment terms | Per clean, card on file | Flat quote | Flat quote |
| Term | Open-ended, 14 days' notice | Single visit | Single visit |
| Deposit | Usually none | Often requested | Often requested |
| Scope of services | Standard list | Standard plus add-ons | Empty home, inside cabinets and appliances |
| Cancellation | 48-hour policy | Deposit rules | Deposit rules, date tied to the move |
| Who signs | Homeowner or tenant | Homeowner or tenant | Owner, tenant or real estate agent |
Recurring house cleaning agreement
The default file in the pack and the residential cleaning contract most house cleaners need: weekly, biweekly or monthly service, card on file, re-clean policy and non-solicitation.
One-time and deep cleaning contract
Adds a deposit clause, a wider scope with add-on cleaning services priced up front, and a single-visit term.
Move-in and move-out cleaning contract
Assumes an empty home, includes inside cabinets and appliances, and names who signs and pays when a landlord, tenant or agent is involved.
Cleaning service agreement vs cleaning contract: is there a difference?
No. A cleaning contract, a cleaning service contract and a cleaning service agreement are the same document with different names. What makes either legally binding is the terms and the signatures, not the title.
If you were searching for a cleaning service agreement template, the template on this page is exactly that: rename the heading if your clients prefer "agreement." The clauses stay the same.
House cleaning contract example: a filled-in biweekly agreement
All names and amounts are fictional example data, matching our free cleaning invoice template.
Cleaning Service Agreement (example)
- Cleaner
- Maple Row Cleaning Co. (fictional), Minneapolis, MN
- Client
- Jordan Sample (fictional), 789 Example Road, Minneapolis, MN
- Home
- 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house, approx. 1,800 square feet
- Schedule
- every two weeks on Thursday, arrival 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
- Price (example pricing, not a market rate)
- $160 per clean, card on file charged on the day of service
- Cancellation
- 48 hours' notice; later cancellations charged 50% ($80), lockouts charged the full $160, per Section 5
- Add-ons (example pricing)
- inside fridge $35
- Access
- lockbox; alarm code on file
Bill the same customer with our free cleaning invoice template so the contract and invoice match, and browse more free tools for service businesses.
How to write a cleaning contract in 5 steps
Follow this process for every new home:
- Do the walkthrough or quote. See the home, or get photos and the room count, before you price the job.
- List the cleaning services room by room. Write the tasks for each room and list each exclusion.
- Set the price, payment terms and cancellation policy. Whether you charge a flat rate or hourly, add the payment method, notice period and lockout fee.
- Add the protection clauses. Keys and codes, pets and valuables, breakage and insurance, re-clean policy, non-solicitation.
- Get the contract signed before the first clean. Send it with the quote and collect a signature, electronic is fine.
Putting the agreement in writing is one of the steps in our guide on how to start a cleaning business.
Using this template for commercial or office cleaning
The pack is built for homes. It does not include a full commercial cleaning contract, but the clauses adapt for small offices. Add these details:
- Service hours after closing, and who opens and locks the building
- Access badges and keys, with a sign-out log and return on termination
- Scope by zone: reception, offices, restrooms, kitchen, with frequency per task
- Proof of insurance, since commercial clients often ask the cleaning provider for a certificate before you start
- A 12-month term with renewal and a 30-day termination notice
Larger janitorial jobs usually come with bids and the client's own contract: have an attorney review those legal terms.
Using this contract in Canada
Write all amounts in CAD. If your business is registered for GST/HST, show the tax on invoices and mention it in clause 4. Change the governing-law line in clause 13 to your province. Rules on consumer service contracts and non-solicitation clauses vary by province: your provincial consumer affairs office (Government of Canada directory) can tell you which consumer protection law applies to home service contracts. The Canada version in the pack has these lines ready to edit. Have a local lawyer review it.
Send, sign and store cleaning contracts in your software
Field service software can send the cleaning contract with your quote, collect approval, send a reminder before the first clean and store access notes on the customer record. Jobber, our main pick, and Housecall Pro both handle quotes, approvals and recurring jobs. In Jobber, clients approve a quote or request changes in the client hub (Quote Basics), a signature on approval is an optional setting (Client Hub Settings), and automated client reminders start on the Connect plan (Jobber pricing). In Housecall Pro, the customer approves or declines an estimate from the email or text they receive, and the pro can capture a signature in person in the mobile app (estimate approvals and signatures); the mobile app also sends on-my-way texts. We found no separate contract document in either help center, so attach your agreement to the quote or estimate.
Read more about e-signatures in Jobber or compare the best cleaning business software.
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| Plan (as of November 2026) | No commitment | Other billing |
|---|---|---|
| Jobber Core | $49/mo | $39/mo with 1-year commitment, $29/mo billed annually |
| Jobber Connect (1 user) | $139/mo | extra users $29/mo |
| Jobber Grow (1 user) | $199/mo | extra users $29/mo |
| Housecall Pro Basic | $79/mo | $59/mo billed annually |
| Housecall Pro Essentials | $189/mo | $149/mo billed annually |
| Housecall Pro Max | $329/mo | $299/mo billed annually |
Both bill Canadians in USD, with no official CAD prices (as of November 2026). Jobber and Housecall Pro each have a 14-day free trial, no credit card needed.
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