Frustrated with these vague cleaning contracts leaving me hanging
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DustBunnySlayer
·2mo·63 replies·61 participants
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DustBunnySlayer👑 LegendOP2mo
156
I've been doing residential deep cleans for years now, but these clients keep coming at me with contracts that don't specify shit about the scope. Last one had me scrubbing grout with a stiff brush and Simple Green for what felt like hours, only to have them complain it wasn't 'deep enough' because they didn't define what that means upfront. It's like they expect mind reading while I'm on my knees dealing with their pet hair disasters. Someone in the Cleaning Business Owners group mentioned using a standard template from Housecall Pro, but I haven't bit the bullet yet. Watched a Melissa Maker video on her Instagram where she talks about clear expectations saving headaches, and damn if that didn't hit home. Now I'm stuck chasing add-ons for jobs that balloon because nothing's written down. How do you lock in these agreements without scaring off the one-time wonders?
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CircuitSavant4⭐ Expert2mo
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Use a simple addendum form for extras, spell out grout cleaning as 'acid wash with muriatic if needed' to avoid the BS.
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BeamBender2⭐ Expert2mo
37
that's smart, i add photos of before/after to prove the work too.
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ZapMaster⭐ Expert2mo
37
yeah but clients still nitpick, had one say my scrub marks were 'scratches' even with pics.
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FloorFixer3⭐ Expert2mo
30
definitely, templates from service titan help but customize per job.
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PaintSplatterPat4⭐ Expert2mo
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man i feel you on the vague scopes, been there with window treatments that turn into full drapery hell.
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PipeLord42020⭐ Expert2mo
39
exactly, it's exhausting.
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CanvasKing6🏆 Master2mo
38
don't sign without a clause for change orders, it'll bite you later on these cleaning gigs.
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BoxHaulerBob2🏆 Master2mo
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agreed, add a line for hourly overages too.
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RootRider⭐ Expert2mo
26
yep, saved my ass last month on a hoarder clean.
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FlooringFiasco2🏆 Master2mo
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the industry hates handshake deals, get it in writing or walk.
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WattTheHeck11⭐ Expert2mo
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preach.
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GarageGuru4⭐ Expert2mo
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i use a checklist attached to every contract, covers baseboards to ovens no surprises.
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BlowerDoorBob⭐ Expert2mo
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good call, my crew swears by that for office cleans.
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GateGuard⭐ Expert2mo
62
same, reduces callbacks by half.
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FittingFiend⭐ Expert2mo
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clients pulling this crap is why i went flat rate only, no more scope creep.
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RootRider2🏆 Master2mo
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screw the big corps buying up cleaning outfits, they ruin fair contracts for everyone.
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ACAvenger3⭐ Expert2mo
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hell yeah, pe vultures jacking rates and skimping on protections.
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GreenThumbGuru4⭐ Expert2mo
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it's a takeover, small ops get crushed.
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LaminateLegend⭐ Expert1mo
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frustrated as hell with it too.
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ShingleSlinger3⭐ Expert1mo
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haha remember that job where the contract said 'dust' and they meant the whole attic? i billed triple.
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FlushMaster500👑 Legend1mo
74
those vague ones are a joke, always end up doing free labor.
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BloomBoss2👑 Legend1mo
59
yep, same boat here with post-construction cleans.
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SodSquadLeader🏆 Master1mo
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ugh, the pet hair alone is a full day.
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PeakProspector4🏆 Master1mo
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lol i once had a client define 'spotless' as no visible dna under blacklight, what a trip.
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PestPatrolPete2👑 Legend1mo
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clients dodging real contracts is peak entitlement.
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NailGunNinja7⭐ Expert1mo
36
feel that, my back's killing me from undefined deep cleans.
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LeakHunter3⭐ Expert1mo
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we all hate these half-assed agreements.
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ChillMaster4⭐ Expert1mo
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i switched to digital signatures with detailed scopes, cut the drama big time.
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YardYodaYusuf⭐ Expert1mo
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solid move, what app?
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EaveEater3⭐ Expert1mo
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joist works great for that.
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DrainSnakeKing⭐ Expert1mo
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screw these clients who think cleaning is free add-ons.
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NotAnElectrician17👑 Legend1mo
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yeah it's bullshit across the board.
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SpotlessSteve10⭐ Expert1mo
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been cleaning 15 years, vague contracts almost bankrupted me once.
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WattTheHeck26⭐ Expert1mo
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the pe rollups are killing independent cleaners with their shady fine print.
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GeneralFixIt2🏆 Master1mo
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total rage fuel, they underbid and overpromise.
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PeakPitcher🏆 Master1mo
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then poach your good help too.
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SawdustSavant12🏆 Master1mo
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use boilerplate from cleaning pros fb group, it's gold.
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AmpedUpApprentice⭐ Expert1mo
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i bill for revisions if they change the scope mid-job.
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BeamBoss3⭐ Expert1mo
39
damn straight, no more freebies.
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LeakHunter3⭐ Expert1mo
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watch out for non-competes in those contracts, they trap you.
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DoorOpenerDan🏆 Master1mo
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frustrated af, had a client ghost after i detailed everything.
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SodSlinger⭐ Expert28d
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don't let them bury cancellation fees, make em clear as day.
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ChillOutTech🏆 Master26d
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yeah or you'll eat the cost on no-shows.
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MoveMasterMike2⭐ Expert25d
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these agreements are a minefield for solo cleaners.
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HardwoodHero3👑 Legend24d
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i'm pissed at how clients lowball then expand the job.
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NotAnElectrician11👑 Legend23d
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corporate clients are the worst with boilerplate that favors them.
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KeyMaster992⭐ Expert22d
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screw the insurers too, they hike premiums over contract disputes.
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NotAnElectrician9👑 Legend20d
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we're all getting hosed by this system.
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NotAnElectrician20⭐ Expert19d
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feel the pain, vague scopes lead to unpaid overtime.
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ShingleShark5⭐ Expert18d
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clients thinking they can rewrite terms after signing is infuriating.
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ShingleShark10🏆 Master16d
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total crap, i've unionized my small team against it.
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PestPatrol4⭐ Expert15d
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been there, lost a whole weekend to undefined 'organize' clauses.
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GateGuard⭐ Expert14d
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we hate how these lead to bad reviews if you push back.
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VentVenturer🏆 Master12d
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the big cleaning franchises push predatory contracts on subs.
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LeakHunterPro2🏆 Master11d
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don't do verbal addendums, record em or nothing.
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DirtBagLandscaper2⭐ Expert9d
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frustrated with clients who sign then ignore the fine print.
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WireWizardess⭐ Expert8d
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yeah it's exhausting fighting for every detail.
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DustBusterDave👑 Legend7d
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haha i tell em 'sign this or i walk with my mop'
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ComboBreaker🏆 Master5d
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what's your go-to clause for deep clean disputes?
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ColorChaos3⭐ Expert4d
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lol my last vague one turned into a full reno clean, billed em accordingly.
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BrushStrokeBoss7⭐ Expert3d
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include a satisfaction guarantee but with defined metrics.
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FrameFreak6⭐ Expert1d
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proud i finally drafted my own after years of headaches, business is booming now.