Contract cleaning helps a cleaning business build a base of long-term clients by offering discounted cleaning rates in exchange for extended periods of service. This type of contract benefits both parties. The client in need of regular cleaning services at their location enters into an agreement with a trusted cleaning service at a price less than they would pay for individual sessions. The cleaning service gets the benefits of being able to depend on a steady stream of income and schedule their own and employees’ time on a regular basis.

Both also gain the satisfaction that can come with familiarity. The client can count on the cleaning service providing a level of performance that they can trust. The cleaning service knows what the client’s expectations are and can establish a level of service to meet those demands.

Basics of Contract Cleaning

The usual businesses in need of contract cleaning services are residential associations that have shared public spaces, office buildings, factories, hospitals, and colleges and universities. These tend to be larger facilities that demand a level of professionalism and experience in order to meet the heavy demands and time restrictions.

  • For large office and factories, the cleaning takes place after the client’s business hours and must be completed by the start of the next business day. Valuable equipment is usually present and the client must trust that the cleaning company is not only competent, but also honest.
  • In cases of hospitals, colleges and even residential associations, there may not be an actual downtime when the service can work without people around, so the cleaning services’ presence must not be disruptive to the property owners, staff or even, in the case of hospitals, patients.

Benefits to Contract Cleaning

Regardless of whether the cleaning business chooses to be established as a sole proprietorship or partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation, contract cleaning offers several advantages in terms of the way the business operates: the ability to adequately staff the business, the capacity to invest in cleaning equipment, and affording insurance coverage.

Staffing a Contract Cleaning Business

When a contract cleaning business enters into a long-term business arrangement with clients, they can make sure they have the right number of employees on hand to adequately perform operations and negotiate employee contracts to meet labor regulations and provide employee benefits. The business also has the opportunity to provide training for its employees in the operation of cleaning equipment. They can also gain a sense of trust in their employees and grow the business knowing the workers do not need direct supervision.

Equipping a Contract Cleaning Business

Contract cleaning also provides a steady stream of income that allows a business to either enter into equipment leases or purchase commercial cleaning equipment that can meet the demands of every day wear and tear and make tasks more efficient. These can include items such as heavy-duty vacuum cleaners, rug and carpet steamers, and pressure washers. This equipment can be costly, but the savings in labor and professional results that keep clients satisfied is usually worth the investment.

It may be desirable to lease or purchase vehicles that not only transport staff and equipment, but also provide free advertising by having the company’s logo and contact information painted on the vehicle.

In addition, a steady cash flow can help the business keep an inventory of every day supplies, like paper towels, gloves and masks, cleaning fluids, and mops and buckets on hand.

Insuring a Contract Cleaning Business

Protection from liability for property damages and employee injuries is important to every business. Entering into contract cleaning allows a business to determine the level of insurance needed to cover all the possibilities that providing their services entails. For instance, if employees are required to wear specific safety equipment or receive certificates of training before operating equipment, a qualified insurance agent can work with the business to cover these contingencies.

There are several factors involved with contract cleaning. Some of these can be gained through experience. Others may require consulting with professionals, such as legal counsel experienced in business and contract law, and insurance agents who can determine effective policies to avoid costly insurance claims.

As with any business, there are standards of responsibility that come with contract cleaning. There are rewards for businesses that accept these responsibilities and offer trusted and professional cleaning services.

To learn more contract cleaning, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel’s marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.