Cleaning Contractor Contract Requirements Explained

Quick answer

Cleaning contractor contract requirements can include minimum insurance limits, liability clauses, indemnity wording, RAMS obligations, certificate evidence, subcontractor controls, additional insured requests and specialist work conditions. Contractors should check these before accepting work.

For the main quote route, compare cleaning contractors insurance for UK cleaning businesses, including public liability, employers liability, tools, key holding, property damage and contract requirements, or start a cleaning contractors insurance quote.

Insurers may ask about

Cleaning activities, premises cleaned, staff numbers, subcontractors, chemicals, working at height, equipment values, key holding, claims history and contract limits.

Common claims

Typical cleaning contractor claims can involve wet floor slips, water damage, chemical damage, damaged customer property, stolen equipment or employee injuries.

Client documents may include

Commercial clients may request public liability certificates, employers liability certificates, RAMS, COSHH assessments, subcontractor evidence and health and safety documents.

Insurance Clauses In Cleaning Contracts

Cleaning contracts often set out the insurance a contractor must hold. These clauses may specify public liability, employers liability, professional indemnity, motor, tools, environmental or specialist activity cover depending on the premises and work.

• Minimum liability limits and certificate evidence
• Cover dates that run for the contract period
• Business description matching the cleaning services
• Specialist work such as height, pressure washing or industrial cleaning

Indemnities And Risk Transfer

Some contracts include indemnities or risk transfer wording that goes beyond ordinary insurance certificates. Cleaning contractors should understand who is responsible for injury, property damage, staff claims, subcontractor actions and client property loss.

• Broad indemnity wording that may increase exposure
• Responsibility for subcontractors or temporary workers
• Damage to client property, stock, machinery or fixtures
• Claims notification and cooperation duties

Additional Insured And Evidence Requests

Clients may ask to be noted, named or added in a particular way. Contractors should not assume every request is automatically possible. The wording should be checked against insurer practice and policy terms.

• Additional insured, interested party or noted party requests
• Certificate wording requested by landlords or principal contractors
• Evidence of subcontractor insurance where used
• Policy endorsements or letters of confirmation where needed

Reviewing Contracts Before Work Starts

Contract requirements should be checked before mobilisation, not after a claim. The cleaning contractor should compare the contract with insurance wording, exclusions, limits, staff model and actual site activities.

• Check limits and exclusions before signing
• Ask about unclear wording or unusual client requests
• Update insurers when work type or contract size changes
• Keep contract, certificate and RAMS evidence together