Every commercial cleaning contractor you talk to will tell you they're insured. Fewer can produce documentation on the spot. This guide explains what coverage you should require before a cleaning contractor enters your Hopkins facility, what each coverage type protects against and what questions to ask.
Why This Matters Before Anyone Enters Your Building
A cleaning crew that works in your facility after hours has access to your entire building and your clients' property. An uninsured contractor working in your facility transfers risk to you: if a crew member damages your flooring, breaks a fixture, or is injured while cleaning your building, the liability exposure without contractor insurance becomes your problem. In some cases it becomes your property insurance company's problem — which means it affects your premiums.
The standard in the commercial cleaning industry is to provide a certificate of insurance before the first clean. If a contractor asks to start before you've seen their certificate, that's a reason to pause.
General Liability Insurance
General liability covers property damage and bodily injury arising from the contractor's operations. If a cleaning crew floods a bathroom because of a plumbing misuse, damages a glass partition or causes an injury to a third party during a cleaning shift, the claim goes through the contractor's general liability policy.
The certificate of insurance you receive names you as the certificate holder. This gives you documentation that coverage was in force on the date the certificate was issued. It is not a guarantee of ongoing coverage — a policy can lapse — so for long-term contracts it is reasonable to request annual certificate renewal.
Coverage limits matter. A contractor with a $300,000 general liability limit and a crew working in a building with $2 million of tenant improvements is not adequately insured for the risk. Ask about limits, not just the existence of coverage.
Employee Dishonesty Bonding
Bonding covers theft by a contractor's employee. Cleaning crews work in your facility without supervision, often during hours when no staff is present. The bond provides coverage if a crew member steals from your facility or from a tenant.
The bond is not a guarantee of recovery in every case — it requires a claim process and a determination of loss. But it means the financial exposure in a confirmed employee dishonesty situation is not entirely on you or your tenants. An unbonded contractor leaves that exposure unaddressed.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation coverage is required in Minnesota for employers with any employees. If a cleaning crew member is injured in your facility, workers' compensation covers their medical costs and lost wages through the contractor's policy. Without it, an injured employee may have the right to file a claim against you as the property owner.
In Minnesota, a contractor who fails to carry workers' compensation is in violation of state law. You can verify workers' compensation coverage independently through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's contractor lookup if you have the contractor's business name.
What to Request Before Signing
Ask for a certificate of insurance naming your business as the certificate holder. Confirm the general liability limits. Ask whether workers' compensation is included on the certificate or available separately. Ask about bonding — some contractors carry it; many small operations do not. Ask when the current policies renew so you know when to request updated certificates.
A contractor who is reluctant to provide documentation before starting work is giving you useful information about how they operate.
Our Coverage
We carry general liability insurance, employee dishonesty bonding and current workers' compensation coverage. A certificate of insurance is included with every written quote — it is a standard attachment, not something you have to request. Additional documentation is available on request. See the insured and bonded page for more detail or call (866) 958-8773.