Thirty-day out

Definition

The clause in most janitorial contracts letting either side cancel on thirty days' notice.

Why It Matters

It is why a janitorial book described as contracted is really month to month, and why the trade prices below other recurring-revenue services. What holds an account is the relationship and the site supervisor, both of which change on the day you buy. Ask how long the ten largest accounts have run, who at each one signs the invoice, and how many accounts were lost in the last two years.