Construction Cleaning Contracts

A well-written construction cleaning contract protects both the builder and the cleaning contractor. Too often, construction cleaning is performed under verbal agreements or vague one-paragraph proposals — leading to disputes over scope, pricing, and quality. This guide covers every element that should be in a professional construction cleaning contract.

Essential Contract Elements

1. Scope of Work

The scope of work (SOW) is the most important section of the contract. It should define exactly what the cleaning company will and will not do. A well-written SOW includes:

• Phases included — specify which cleaning phases (rough, final, touch-up) are covered
• Area coverage — list every space: all rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior, porches, patios
• Task-level detail — "Clean all kitchen cabinets inside and out" not just "clean kitchen"
• Exclusions — explicitly state what is NOT included (e.g., carpet steam cleaning, pressure washing, exterior window above 2nd floor)
• Standards — reference a cleaning checklist or standard (e.g., "per the attached Final Cleaning Checklist")

2. Project Information

• Project name and address
• Building type (residential, commercial, multi-family)
• Approximate square footage
• Number of stories, bathrooms, bedrooms
• Special features (high ceilings, custom surfaces, unique fixtures)

3. Pricing and Payment Terms

4. Schedule and Timeline

• Start date — or trigger ("within 48 hours of GC notification that all trades are complete")
• Completion deadline — specific date or duration ("to be completed within 2 working days")
• Working hours — when crews will be on site (e.g., 7 AM – 5 PM)
• Access requirements — who provides access, keys, codes, parking
• Delay provisions — what happens if trades aren't complete when cleaning is scheduled

5. Insurance Requirements

• General liability coverage minimum (typically $1,000,000)
• Workers' compensation coverage required
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) provided before work begins
• Additional insured endorsement naming the GC/builder
• Auto insurance for crew vehicles on site

6. Change Orders

Change orders cover additional work not in the original scope. Construction cleaning frequently encounters change orders because:

• The rough clean was skipped, making the final clean significantly more work
• Trades re-enter the space after cleaning, requiring re-cleaning
• The builder adds areas not in the original scope (e.g., "can you also clean the pool house?")
• Site conditions are significantly worse than assessed

Best practice: Require all change orders in writing, with agreed pricing, before additional work begins.

7. Warranty and Re-Clean Policy

• Walkthrough included — joint walkthrough with GC/builder after cleaning
• Punch list items — cleaning company returns to address items identified during walkthrough at no additional cost
• Time limit — re-clean requests must be made within a specified period (typically 48–72 hours after clean completion)
• Exclusions — contractor not responsible for soiling caused by trades, weather, or owner entry after clean

8. Damage and Liability

• Damage reporting — both parties document pre-existing conditions before cleaning begins
• Damage during cleaning — cleaning company responsible for damage caused by their crew or equipment
• Hold harmless — mutual hold harmless/indemnification clause
• Damage cap — maximum liability limit (typically covered by insurance)

9. Termination

• Either party can terminate with written notice (typically 24–48 hours)
• Payment due for work completed through termination date
• Cleaning company removes equipment and leaves site in reasonable condition

Sample Contract Language

Here are examples of well-written contract clauses for construction cleaning:

Scope of Work: "Contractor shall perform a complete final cleaning of the premises located at [address], consisting of approximately [sq ft] square feet including [X] bedrooms, [X] bathrooms, kitchen, living areas, garage, and covered entry. Final cleaning shall be performed in accordance with the attached Final Cleaning Checklist (Exhibit A), which is incorporated by reference into this agreement."

Change Orders: "Any work requested by Client that is outside the scope defined herein shall constitute a change order. No change order work shall commence without a written change order signed by both parties specifying the additional scope and agreed-upon price."

Satisfaction Guarantee: "Contractor guarantees that all work shall meet the standards defined in Exhibit A. Client shall conduct a walkthrough within 48 hours of completion. Any deficiencies identified during walkthrough will be corrected by Contractor at no additional cost within 24 hours of notification."

Common Contract Mistakes

1. No scope of work at all — just a price and a handshake guarantees a dispute
2. No change order provisions — leads to arguments when additional work is needed
3. No damage documentation — without pre-clean condition notes, every scratch becomes the cleaner's fault
4. No re-clean time limit — without a window, calls come weeks later for issues caused by occupants
5. No payment terms — leads to cash flow disputes and delayed payment