Understanding a contract before you sign it is critical. The same thing applies to a janitorial service contract that you sign on behalf of your business. It is crucial to understand everything before you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement.
While you may think that it is just cleaning, you need to keep in mind that the details outlined in the contract will govern your relationship with the commercial cleaning company. Your business will still be bound by the contract even if you move on and find something else to do.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand what you are getting into and whether you are okay with it. This post discusses the top three critical areas of the contract you need to thoroughly review before signing.
1. Cancellation policy
This is perhaps the most critical part of the contract because it outlines when and how you can terminate the contract. Typically, all janitorial service contracts are set for a specific period. The cancellation policy describes proper guidelines around how and when that relationship can come to an end.
The two common types of contract termination are normal and early. Normal cancellation means the contract cancels at the end of the agreed-upon term, and either your company or the janitorial service doesn’t wish to renew it.
However, early termination means that you or the janitorial service company wants to cancel the contract before the agreed-upon term.
The cancelation policy of the contract must outline how each type of termination can be conducted. Don’t assume that if you are dissatisfied with the service you receive, then you will be at liberty to terminate the contract any time you feel like.
In most cases, you will incur hefty penalties for early termination. Therefore, before you sign that piece of paper, make sure you read and understand everything outlined under this clause. If you have any doubts, be sure to seek clarification.
2. Scope of work
Another section of the janitorial service contract you need to pay close attention to is the scope of work clause. In fact, this is the muscle of the contract because it outlines what the cleaning company can and can’t do.
Ensure that whoever you are hiring to take care of your commercial cleaning needs can meet your expectations. Don’t assume anything in this section because it will determine the level of service you receive.
Take time to ensure every task you want to be done is included in their scope of work. You should also pay attention to the frequency of doing things. For instance, how many times in a week do they clean windows? After how long do they conduct deep cleaning? Do they clean walkways and other external parts of the office?
3. Payment terms
Lastly, you need to understand how you will be paying the cleaning company. Do they prefer a weekly or monthly payment plan? If it is monthly, do they have a specific due date? What happens when you pay late? Does the payment attract late fees and other penalties?
Take time to understand what is outlined in this section and ensure your company can operate within the stipulated payment terms to avoid unnecessary disagreements in the future. Make sure you identify payment methods accepted, consequences of late payments such as service termination, service suspension, and late fees.
