Thinking About Ending Your Janitorial Contract? Read This First

If you're not happy with your current janitorial service, you might be wondering whether you can cancel your contract. It's a common question for business managers. While ending an agreement shouldn’t be your first step, sometimes service problems or lack of follow-through make it necessary. Can you break your contract? The answer isn’t always simple—it could be “yes,” “no,” or “possibly.” Here's how to figure out which applies to your situation.

“No” – When You’re Stuck in a Strict Contract

There are a few contracts out there that are very hard to get out of. These agreements may have strict terms that lock you in for a set amount of time and threaten legal or financial penalties for ending the deal early. While these types of contracts aren’t typical in the janitorial industry, they do exist.

If you’re already in one of these, your best option is to reach out to the cleaning company and ask if they’re open to a peaceful termination of the agreement. If they’re not willing to cooperate, you may have no choice but to finish out the contract and avoid this kind of situation in the future.

“Maybe” – Contracts That Allow Cancellation for Specific Issues

Most janitorial agreements fall into this middle category. These contracts don’t give you total freedom to cancel, but they do allow it under certain conditions—usually related to service problems. For example, if the cleaning team isn’t performing well and doesn’t fix the issues after being notified, you may have grounds to end the agreement.

If you think your contract falls into this group, read the terms carefully. Make sure you understand the process for reporting issues and giving the vendor time to respond. If they don’t improve, you’ll have a stronger case for moving on—and you’ll be doing it by the book.

“Yes” – The Standard 30-Day Cancellation Clause

The most common type of janitorial contract includes a simple way out—a 30-day written notice. This means either side can cancel the contract at any time, for any reason, as long as a notice is given in writing. If your current agreement includes this clause, you can cancel without penalty or legal stress.

Know Your Rights Before You Act

No matter what kind of contract you have, understanding what it says is the first step. If you’re unsure about anything in the agreement, it’s smart to consult a legal expert. Canceling your janitorial contract isn’t something you want to rush into, but if it becomes necessary, knowing the right steps can save time, money, and hassle.