Sigh, time to sign another contract. Yippee…..
When we’re presented with a contract or agreement to sign, that’s generally how most of us feel.
What am I getting myself into? Are they going to scam me into something I don’t want? Do I really want to sign this?
A lot of questions cross our minds and I know I’ve felt this way at one point or another when signing a contract. And one thing I do know is that I’m not alone.
So when your new commercial cleaning company ask you to sign a contract, should you feel the same way?
To give you an answer straight away – no, you shouldn’t.
Um, why?
It’s simple. A good commercial cleaning company will always keep a service contract in your favour (the client).
This is exactly what we’re going to touch on in this article. Along with what you should look out for when it comes to a cleaning contract (what should be included) and why.
In our 28 years of business, we’ve been able to guide many clients through the contract process and why it benefits them to have one.
Let’s find out why you need to sign a cleaning contract with your chosen service provider.
Why a cleaning contract is essential for you
I want to start this first section off with a scenario. One that you might know too well.
Most of us have been in a position where we’ve met up with a salesman at our home or workplace to discuss them conducting a specific service. Now, during that initial meet-up, you’ve gone through multiple things such as:
- What you’re after
- What you’re expecting from the job
- When the job will start and finish
- How much it costs
Typically, in these sorts of settings, there’s a lot of information thrown back and forth between yourself and the salesman.
So wouldn’t you want it all to be formalised in an agreement?
The answer – yes.
You don’t want it to be just word of mouth. Because, all the promises they’ve made to you probably won’t be followed. And you just don’t want that.
After all, a contract is there to keep the service provider (the cleaning company) responsible and accountable in making sure they’re delivering the best service to you every single time.
Another reason a cleaning contract is essential is that it prevents any surprises from popping up – any and every detail you can think of is included.
Convinced you need to sign a commercial cleaning contract?
What basic clauses are included in a cleaning contract?
If you’re still on the fence about signing a cleaning service contract, let’s go through some of the important clauses you should expect to see in your agreement.
The information typically enclosed within a contract will include all the relevant terms and conditions, pricing, timing, and provision of services for your partnership. For instance, here is a list of a few basic items that you can expect to see in your agreement:
- Your scope of works – it shouldn’t be a separate document
- Performance clauses
- Rectification clauses
- A section on what you’re going to be billed for
- A section on exactly how much your bill will be
- A section that discusses price increases (when they happen and how they’re handled)
- Pandemic clause – this clause helps cover you. In the event of a pandemic and your workplace is shut down, your invoices will be suspended until you’re back in the office. You shouldn’t pay for a service that you don’t require.
Of course, this isn’t all of it. But, it gives you a pretty clear idea of the main clauses you should look out for that relate to your partnership with the company.
Why In-Tec’s cleaning contract differs from others out there
Like you, we understand the hesitation that comes along with signing a contract with a prospective business.
This is exactly why In-Tec has incorporated a ‘Satisfaction Guarantee’ clause in all our agreements. Just take a look at it below – this is what you’ll find.
“If you ever receive an invoice and feel you did not receive at least the value of the invoice, please short pay the invoice with an amount you feel is appropriate and a brief explanation. We will not be offended. We always want clients to feel they have received at least the value of the fee. This guarantee is open month to month, and is for the life of the contract term.”
It’s as simple as that.
At In-Tec, we believe that if you’re ever unhappy with the standard of work received, you have the right to pay a partial payment of the invoice that you feel reflects the work undertaken.
Again, signing a contract with In-Tec ensures that we are kept accountable for the services and cleaning standard we deliver to you day in and day out. In other words, it formalises an agreement and set of promises between two parties.
It’s there to protect you, our client.
A cleaning service contract is in your favour
You want the verbal vows and expectations the cleaning company makes to you to be upheld. And, the only way to do this is by having them put it all in writing via a contract or agreement.
Of course, a contract is there for the service provider (the cleaning company) to know
But more importantly, it’s there to keep them accountable.
If you’re considering hiring a commercial cleaning company, make sure to check that they have all the necessary clauses included in the contract and that they’re in favour of you.
If you have any questions at all regarding cleaning contracts, feel free to schedule a call with us!
