Commercial detailing contracts: A guide to professional B2B agreements

Landing a high-volume commercial account is the "holy grail" for many detailing businesses, but the excitement of the deal can quickly fade if it isn't backed by a professional, legally binding contract. A well-structured agreement creates the "rules of engagement," protects your business from liability, and ensures that your cash flow remains consistent.

1. Defining the Precise Scope of Work

Vague language is the enemy of a profitable B2B relationship. Your contract must define exactly what is—and is not—included in the service.

• Service Tiers: Clearly define differences between a "weekly maintenance wash" and a "monthly deep clean."
• Exclusions: Explicitly state that certain conditions (e.g., biohazards, excessive pet hair, mold) will incur additional surcharges beyond the flat contract rate.
• Documentation: Require both parties to acknowledge the "baseline condition" of the vehicles via the Staff Portal before the contract begins.

2. Pricing Models and Payment Terms

For a Fleet Account, you are moving away from the "payment at time of service" model used in retail.

• Billing Cycles: Define if you are billing Net-15 or Net-30. Corporate accounting departments favor predictable, monthly Invoicing.
• Volume Committments: If you are offering a discount, tie it to a minimum number of vehicles per month. If the client falls below the minimum, the rate should automatically revert to standard pricing.
• Late Fees: Protect your cash flow by including a clear late-payment penalty clause.

3. Liability, Insurance, and Indemnification

Corporate clients operate on risk management. To win their business, you must prove you are a safe partner.

• Insurance Requirements: State that your business maintains Garage Keepers and General Liability Insurance at all times.
• Hold Harmless Clauses: Protect your business from claims arising from pre-existing mechanical issues or owner-caused damage.
• Termination Clauses: Include a "30-day notice" requirement for both parties to end the agreement, preventing sudden revenue drops.

4. Operational SOPs for Fleet Sites

If you are performing work on the client's property as a Mobile Detailer, your contract must cover site-specific rules.

• Water and Power Access: Clarify if you are bringing your own utilities or if the client is providing them.
• Chemical Runoff Compliance: Explicitly state your Environmental Compliance protocols to protect both you and the client from EPA or municipal fines.

How DetailerBase Powers Your B2B Contracts

• Contract Repository: Store signed PDFs of your commercial agreements directly within the Customer Profile.
• Custom Price Books: Create specific "Contract Rates" that are only visible when booking for that specific B2B account.
• Automated Monthly Invoicing: Use our Batch Invoicing Engine to generate a single, professional statement for 50+ washes with one click.

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Found your B2B growth on professional paperwork. Learn how to manage your business settings and start landing larger commercial accounts.