Thinking about getting out of your janitorial contract? You’re not alone. Many businesses eventually find themselves questioning whether they can part ways with their cleaning service. While ending a contract should usually be your last move, sometimes ongoing problems with service leave you no choice. So what are your options? Depending on the contract, the answer might be “yes,” “no,” or “it depends.” Here’s how to figure out where you stand.
When the Answer Is “No” – Contracts That Don’t Budge
Some cleaning contracts are written in a way that makes it nearly impossible to break them early. These agreements can tie you in for a certain period and include strict penalties for canceling. Fortunately, these types of contracts aren’t very common in the janitorial world. But if you’re stuck in one, your best move is to talk with your provider and try to work out an agreement to end the contract peacefully. If that doesn’t work, you may need to ride out the rest of the term.
When the Answer Is “Maybe” – Contracts With Specific Conditions
Many janitorial service contracts fall into this category. They don’t allow you to cancel for just any reason, but they do make room for cancellation if the vendor fails to meet certain service standards. For example, if you’ve reported ongoing issues and the company hasn’t fixed them, the contract might let you end the agreement after giving proper notice.
If your contract includes this kind of clause, make sure you fully understand what’s required on your end. You may need to give the vendor a chance to correct the problems first. If they don’t follow through, you’ll be within your rights to cancel, as long as you follow the outlined steps.
When the Answer Is “Yes” – The Common 30-Day Exit Clause
The majority of cleaning contracts include a simple exit option—usually referred to as a “30-day notice” clause. This allows either side to cancel the agreement for any reason, as long as they provide written notice 30 days in advance. If your current agreement has this kind of clause, you’re free to move on from the service without worrying about extra fees or legal trouble.
Plan Ahead and Read the Fine Print
No matter what kind of agreement you have, knowing the details of your contract is the first step. If anything is unclear, it’s worth speaking with a legal professional to better understand your rights. Hopefully, you’ll never have to cancel your janitorial services—but if you do, having a solid understanding of your options will make the process a lot easier.
