If you are offering cleaning services for clients then you should consider having a simple set of Terms and Conditions to form a legally secure contract between you and the client. Your Terms and Conditions should cover a range of important issues which will enable you to protect your business’ interests and help you get paid.
This article is intended as an introduction for those who work in the cleaning industry on what to include in your Terms and Conditions.
Services
It is important that your Terms and Conditions are clear on what services you offer. Often Terms and Conditions come attached with a quote, and the exact services you are providing for a particular client should be outlined in the quote so that both you and your client understand which services will be provided.
Payment Terms
If you charge per hour, your Terms and Conditions should state the charge rates per hour of cleaning, how payment needs to be made, whether payment will be made in advance and what happens if payment is not received. Cleaning service businesses often add very specific clauses to protect their interests, such as the right to increase the fees provided that notice is given.
Supply of Cleaning Products
To help avoid unnecessary dispute, your Terms and Conditions can also outline who will be supplying the cleaning materials and sundry equipment. If you will provide the necessary products at a charge, these charges need to be specified in your Terms and Conditions.
Cancellations
Terms and Conditions for the cleaning industry often have a cancellation policy. For example, for one-off cleaning jobs, you may want to say that a cleaning visit must be cancelled 48 hours prior so that you can schedule in other jobs, and any jobs cancelled within the 48-hour notice period will incur a cancellation fee. For ongoing clients, you may want to stipulate a longer notice period.
Entering and Exiting Premises
This is one of the practical issues which you can cover in your Terms and Conditions. To avoid confusion, it would be helpful to have in the Terms and Conditions, an outline of how keys will be provided, any codes or passwords required to enter the premises, and if there are any pets on the property.
Refunds
You protect your business’ interests by having your lawyer insert a carefully constructed refunds/complaints clause. Some businesses have in their Terms and Conditions, a no refunds policy. However, under the Australian Consumer Law, if the services you provided were defective, or did not meet certain standards, by law, you will be required to provide the services again, or provide a refund.
If you are unsure of your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, you should speak to an experienced business lawyer who has a good understanding of this area so that you are aware of your rights and obligations.
Conclusion
There are always risks as a service provider regardless of what services you provide. Having a strong set of Terms and Conditions can help you mitigate some of the risks inherent in running a business and cleaning service, and can also help you get paid on time and avoid disputes with your customers. If you are not confident about drafting your own Terms and Conditions, contact LegalVision today for a fixed-fee quote for a set of professionally drafted Terms and Conditions tailored for your business.
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