Frustrated with these vague cleaning contracts leaving me hanging
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DustBunnySlayer
·4mo·64 replies·62 participants
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DustBunnySlayer⭐ ExpertOP4mo
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⚒️ Journeyman4mo
22
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⚒️ Journeyman4mo
37
that's smart, i add photos of before/after to prove the work too.
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ZapMaster⚒️ Journeyman4mo
37
yeah but clients still nitpick, had one say my scrub marks were 'scratches' even with pics.
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FloorFixer3⚒️ Journeyman4mo
30
definitely, templates from service titan help but customize per job.
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PaintSplatterPat4⚒️ Journeyman4mo
67
man i feel you on the vague scopes, been there with window treatments that turn into full drapery hell.
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PipeLord42020⚒️ Journeyman4mo
39
exactly, it's exhausting.
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CanvasKing6⚒️ Journeyman4mo
38
don't sign without a clause for change orders, it'll bite you later on these cleaning gigs.
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BoxHaulerBob2⚒️ Journeyman4mo
30
agreed, add a line for hourly overages too.
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RootRider⚒️ Journeyman4mo
26
yep, saved my ass last month on a hoarder clean.
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FlooringFiasco2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
16
the industry hates handshake deals, get it in writing or walk.
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WattTheHeck11⚒️ Journeyman3mo
20
preach.
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GarageGuru4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
29
i use a checklist attached to every contract, covers baseboards to ovens no surprises.
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BlowerDoorBob⚒️ Journeyman3mo
19
good call, my crew swears by that for office cleans.
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GateGuard⚒️ Journeyman3mo
62
same, reduces callbacks by half.
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FittingFiend⚒️ Journeyman3mo
19
clients pulling this crap is why i went flat rate only, no more scope creep.
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RootRider2⚒️ Journeyman3mo
20
screw the big corps buying up cleaning outfits, they ruin fair contracts for everyone.
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ACAvenger3⚒️ Journeyman3mo
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hell yeah, pe vultures jacking rates and skimping on protections.
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GreenThumbGuru4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
26
it's a takeover, small ops get crushed.
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LaminateLegend🔧 Apprentice3mo
18
frustrated as hell with it too.
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ShingleSlinger3⚒️ Journeyman3mo
59
haha remember that job where the contract said 'dust' and they meant the whole attic? i billed triple.
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FlushMaster500⭐ Expert3mo
74
those vague ones are a joke, always end up doing free labor.
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BloomBoss2⭐ Expert3mo
59
yep, same boat here with post-construction cleans.
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SodSquadLeader⚒️ Journeyman3mo
25
ugh, the pet hair alone is a full day.
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PeakProspector4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
48
lol i once had a client define 'spotless' as no visible dna under blacklight, what a trip.
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PestPatrolPete2⭐ Expert3mo
22
clients dodging real contracts is peak entitlement.
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NailGunNinja7⚒️ Journeyman3mo
36
feel that, my back's killing me from undefined deep cleans.
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LeakHunter3⚒️ Journeyman3mo
37
we all hate these half-assed agreements.
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ChillMaster4⚒️ Journeyman3mo
25
i switched to digital signatures with detailed scopes, cut the drama big time.
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YardYodaYusuf⚒️ Journeyman3mo
5
solid move, what app?
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EaveEater3⚒️ Journeyman3mo
29
joist works great for that.
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DrainSnakeKing⚒️ Journeyman3mo
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screw these clients who think cleaning is free add-ons.
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NotAnElectrician17⭐ Expert3mo
18
yeah it's bullshit across the board.
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SpotlessSteve10⚒️ Journeyman2mo
33
been cleaning 15 years, vague contracts almost bankrupted me once.
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WattTheHeck26⚒️ Journeyman2mo
30
the pe rollups are killing independent cleaners with their shady fine print.
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GeneralFixIt2⚒️ Journeyman2mo
22
total rage fuel, they underbid and overpromise.
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PeakPitcher⭐ Expert2mo
25
then poach your good help too.
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SawdustSavant12⚒️ Journeyman2mo
36
use boilerplate from cleaning pros fb group, it's gold.
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AmpedUpApprentice⚒️ Journeyman2mo
21
i bill for revisions if they change the scope mid-job.
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BeamBoss3⚒️ Journeyman2mo
39
damn straight, no more freebies.
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LeakHunter3⚒️ Journeyman2mo
17
watch out for non-competes in those contracts, they trap you.
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DoorOpenerDan⚒️ Journeyman2mo
34
frustrated af, had a client ghost after i detailed everything.
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SodSlinger⚒️ Journeyman2mo
27
don't let them bury cancellation fees, make em clear as day.
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ChillOutTech⚒️ Journeyman2mo
16
yeah or you'll eat the cost on no-shows.
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MoveMasterMike2⚒️ Journeyman2mo
23
these agreements are a minefield for solo cleaners.
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HardwoodHero3⭐ Expert2mo
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i'm pissed at how clients lowball then expand the job.
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NotAnElectrician11⭐ Expert2mo
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corporate clients are the worst with boilerplate that favors them.
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KeyMaster992⚒️ Journeyman2mo
28
screw the insurers too, they hike premiums over contract disputes.
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NotAnElectrician9⭐ Expert2mo
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we're all getting hosed by this system.
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NotAnElectrician20⚒️ Journeyman2mo
36
feel the pain, vague scopes lead to unpaid overtime.
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ShingleShark5⚒️ Journeyman2mo
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clients thinking they can rewrite terms after signing is infuriating.
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ShingleShark10⚒️ Journeyman2mo
33
total crap, i've unionized my small team against it.
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PestPatrol4⚒️ Journeyman2mo
33
been there, lost a whole weekend to undefined 'organize' clauses.
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GateGuard⚒️ Journeyman2mo
30
we hate how these lead to bad reviews if you push back.
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VentVenturer⚒️ Journeyman2mo
28
the big cleaning franchises push predatory contracts on subs.
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LeakHunterPro2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
35
don't do verbal addendums, record em or nothing.
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DirtBagLandscaper2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
frustrated with clients who sign then ignore the fine print.
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WireWizardess⚒️ Journeyman1mo
18
yeah it's exhausting fighting for every detail.
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DustBusterDave⭐ Expert1mo
68
haha i tell em 'sign this or i walk with my mop'
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ComboBreaker⚒️ Journeyman1mo
37
what's your go-to clause for deep clean disputes?
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ColorChaos3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
74
lol my last vague one turned into a full reno clean, billed em accordingly.
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BrushStrokeBoss7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
37
include a satisfaction guarantee but with defined metrics.
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FrameFreak6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
24
proud i finally drafted my own after years of headaches, business is booming now.
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CircuitSavant4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
21
get a lawyer to review once, worth it for peace.
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V5427🔧 Apprentice1mo
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yeah, i took my first contract to a lawyer last month and it cost me like $200, but he spotted three vague clauses that coulda screwed me on payments. now i use his template for all my bids and add specifics like exact square footage and what's included. saves alot of headaches down the line.