Pest Control Service Agreements: Why You Need One and What Should Be in It

Nobody wants to deal with mice, spiders, or nasty roaches. 

Whether at work or home, customers want to keep their spaces pest-free — and you know the only way to keep the critters at bay is through regular pest control treatments.

But service agreements can be tricky. 

How do you decide if your business would benefit by offering a pest control service agreement — and if so, what it should include? 

We take a look at the types of pest control service agreements you may want to consider and where to start when you’re creating your own pest control service agreement form. 

‍

What Is a Pest Control Service Agreement?

A pest control service agreement is a type of contract that is entered into between a customer and a pest control service. 

The agreement outlines certain important details, such as: 

• Which pests are being remediated
• Where the service is taking place
• How frequently treatments will be administered; and 
• Which treatments are being applied

 Why Is It Important To Have a Pest Control Service Agreement?

A pest control service agreement is a pest control management tool that lays out the scope of work for a company by letting customers know about:

• Warranties
• Guarantees
• Services offered; and
• Discounts that may be included

Pest control service agreements also help avoid the problem of a customer or company not living up to their end of the contract and the ensuing legal issues that inevitably come from such scenarios. 

‍

Types of Pest Control Service Agreements

Pest control service agreements may be quarterly or annually. 

Either way, the customer authorizes an automated payment on a monthly basis — creating a benefit for the service provider, since automated agreements increase customer retention.

Customers opting for annual agreements are serviced on a quarterly basis but are often given extra incentives, such as a free cockroach extermination or 15% off extra services. They may also save costs by having additional work completed while the technician is visiting their premises for their quarterly treatment. 

‍

Residential Pest Control Agreement

A residential pest control service agreement is an arrangement between a pest control service provider and a residential homeowner. 

The pest control service commits to deliver pest control services at an agreed-upon frequency. 

A residential agreement can be financially beneficial for homeowners because they can gain consistent pest control services and save money as opposed to calling a pest control service for one-off treatments.

‍

Commercial Pest Control Agreement

A commercial pest control service agreement is a contract between a pest control service provider and a business. 

Under a commercial agreement, the pest control service agrees to deliver pest control services at the frequency specified in the contract. 

As with a residential agreement, a commercial pest control service agreement can be financially beneficial for the business because they will have consistent pest control and prevention and save money in the long run.

Commercial companies frequently opt for monthly pest control service agreements.

‍

Where To Start When Creating a Pest Control Service Agreement Template

The best route to creating a pest control service agreement template starts with obtaining legal advice. A lawyer can help write up a generic service agreement template with the most important disclaimers, making sure the contract covers all bases from a legal standpoint can prevent disputes as well as costly lawsuits. 

In the absence of legal advice, online tools and templates will be critical for creating an effective pest control service agreement.

When you’re crafting a pest control service agreement, software like Cedar Pest’s pest control software makes the process easy. Our software allows you to compose and generate contracts based on the customer information you entered previously, so your technicians can create an agreement in minutes. 

Contact us today for your free demo!

‍

What Should Be Included in the Terms and Conditions of a Pest Control Service Agreement?

When you’re drafting a pest control service agreement, you should always consult your lawyer. 

A basic pest control service agreement form includes the company’s information as well as the customer’s:

• Name
• Address; and
• Phone number

The terms and conditions of the agreement will also be spelled out, including the ones below and any other items your lawyer recommends. 

‍

Scope of Work

The scope of work details the delivery to the customer of things such as:

• The scheduled number of visits each year to inspect for the specified pests
• The necessary treatment of the premises for the control of the specified pests
• Any additional visits that may be required to further control those pests 
• A report on the inspection

‍

Fees and Payments

The fees and payments section documents how much the pest control operator will be paid for the pest control services and how often the payments will be made. 

The fees are based on the number of services that will be provided and will also include any:

• Quarterly fees
• Set up costs
• Materials 
• Equipment costs
• Service support; and 
• Administration costs

Fees will be reviewed from time to time and increased as necessary to reflect the cost of doing business. This section will outline how far in advance a customer will be notified of increases.

The terms for interest on overdue payments will be included here, as well.

‍

Treatment Effectiveness

Of course, your pest control company will deliver the agreed-upon plan in a professional and competent manner. But occasionally a treatment may not be as effective as desired. 

This may be due to a customer:

• Failing to implement your recommended hygiene or property maintenance suggestions
• Disturbing the treated areas
• Building alterations or renovations
• Introducing materials to the property that attract unwanted pests

This section will let the customer know exactly what they need to do — or not do — for optimal effectiveness.

‍

Equipment Care

If equipment is installed that is the property of the pest control company, it must be properly cared for and maintained. 

All instructions given in relation to its use must be strictly followed, and the client agrees not to move or modify any equipment in any way. The company is to be notified immediately of any equipment damage or malfunction. 

The client also agrees to accept all costs incurred to rectify any damage caused to the equipment while in their possession, including loss, damage caused by fire, or theft. 

Upon termination of the agreement for any reason, the customer agrees to provide access to their premises to allow the pest control company to remove the equipment.

‍

Pests Covered

Pest control treatment covers only the pests mentioned in the pest control service agreement. 

The control or extermination of any other pests is excluded unless agreed upon in writing.

‍

Technician Access

The client commits to provide access to the property — including electrical, water, etc. — as needed to complete the contracted pest control services at the agreed-upon times. 

The pest control service technician agrees to present company identification to the customer upon request and to comply with all reasonable requests while on the customer’s premises.

‍

Safety Instructions

The client agrees to follow any and all safety instructions given by the pest control technician.

The customer also commits to notifying the pest control service company before beginning the treatment for the eradication of any health and safety issues, such as asbestos, on the premises. 

‍

Damage to Utilities

In the event that the pest control service requires drilling or cutting of any materials on the premises, the client will be responsible for identifying the location of all utilities, including:

• Electrical 
• Telephone cables
• Gas pipes
• Water and drainage pipes 
• Etc

The pest control company will exercise due diligence when performing any cutting or drilling. 

The customer, however, will be liable for any damage caused by the penetration of any such services, unless the damage was caused by the negligence of the pest control company.

‍

Warranties and Guarantees

All warranties and guarantees must be meticulously spelled out. 

Is there a warranty or guarantee that goes along with some or all of the products your pest control service will be using? 

Or is there a delay in the effectiveness of some of the products you may be using? For example, if it takes one to two weeks for a product to become fully effective and a customer calls two days after application, that treatment would not yet be under warranty. 

‍

Liability

This section is best worded by a lawyer. 

In essence, you’re stating that the service provided is for the benefit of the customer only. Your pest control company accepts no responsibility for any reason to any third party as a result of the provision of the pest control services.

‍

Privacy

The customer authorizes your pest control company, its employees, and any related entities to use and disclose their personal information in accordance with your company’s predetermined privacy policy. 

The client will have access to this policy on any printed or electronic contracts.

‍

Cedar Pest Software: Digitize Your Pest Control Service Agreements for Improved Customer Service and Efficiency

Are you weary of contracts that haven’t been filled out properly or completely? 

Cedar Pest Software simplifies the customer management aspect of the pest control service agreement process by digitizing data entry. Our software auto-fills the contract template, so your techs don’t have to do it manually. 

And it doesn’t allow the pest control service agreement to be signed until all fields are filled out completely and correctly. 

Cedar Pest’s pest control customer management software: 

• Mitigates the risk of human error
• Speeds up the agreement process; and 
• Provides both the company and the customer with a digital copy instead of a lengthy paper trail

Request a demo today and learn how Cedar Pest Software can simplify your company’s pest control service agreement process — and make your life a whole lot easier. 

‍