Janitorial Bond Guide: Cost, Coverage & How to Get Bonded

If you run a cleaning business and a commercial client has asked whether you’re “bonded and insured,” they’re asking about two different products. The insurance covers accidents and damage. The janitorial bond covers theft. Both matter, and they cover different risks — neither replaces the other.

This guide covers what a janitorial bond actually is (it’s not what most people think), what it costs, who needs one, what it covers, and exactly how to get one. For the underlying mechanics of bonded vs. insured, see our bonded vs. insured guide.

What Is a Janitorial Bond?

A janitorial bond — sometimes called a cleaning business bond, business service bond, or janitorial service bond — protects a cleaning company’s clients if a cleaning employee steals property while working on the client’s premises.

The key feature: it’s a fidelity bond, not a surety bond. That means:

• Two parties, not three. The bonding company and the cleaning business — no obligee in the traditional sense.
• Pays claims directly to the affected client, not to a government agency.
• Requires a conviction in most cases. For a claim to be paid, the employee usually must be convicted of theft. This is the most important detail many cleaning business owners don’t know.
• Premium does NOT need to be repaid. Unlike a true surety bond, you don’t have to indemnify the surety for claim payouts.

For a side-by-side comparison of how janitorial bonds differ from real surety bonds, see surety bond vs. fidelity bond.

How Much Does a Janitorial Bond Cost?

Premiums depend on coverage amount and the number of employees. Most small cleaning businesses pay between $100 and $500 per year.

(Please note these prices reflect 1 year premiums. Purchasing the 3 year term will include a multi-year discount.)

Most janitorial bonds are issued without a credit check at flat-rate pricing — the underwriting is based on number of employees rather than personal credit. This makes them one of the easiest bond types to obtain.

Common coverage choices map to BondsExpress bond amount pages: $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 bonds. See our surety bond cost guide for full pricing context.

Who Needs a Janitorial Bond?

Three groups commonly need janitorial bonds:

• Commercial cleaning companies with contracts at offices, banks, medical facilities, government buildings, or retail stores. Most commercial property managers require proof of bonding before signing a service contract.
• Residential cleaning services where clients have requested bonded staff. Increasingly common in higher-end residential markets.
• Specialty cleaning businesses (window washers, carpet cleaners, restoration companies) — same logic as general janitorial.

Some states have specific janitorial licensing requirements that include a bond. California’s labor code requires janitorial service registration, but the registration fee is separate from the bond itself.

What a Janitorial Bond Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

Covered:

• Theft of money, goods, or property by a cleaning employee while working at the client’s premises
• Damage caused as part of theft (e.g., a broken display case)
• Some policies extend to forgery or fraudulent acts by employees

NOT covered:

• Accidental damage caused by employees — this is what general liability insurance handles
• Injury to employees on the job — this is workers’ compensation
• Theft committed by you (the business owner) — only employees are covered
• Theft that isn’t reported and prosecuted — most policies require police involvement

Janitorial Bond vs. General Liability Insurance

These are not interchangeable. Most cleaning businesses need both.

For the broader bonded vs. insured difference, see our bonded vs. insured guide.

How to Get a Janitorial Bond

The process is simple and usually same-day:

1. Step 1: Determine the coverage amount your client is requesting (commonly $10K–$50K).
2. Step 2: Apply with a surety/bond provider. You’ll need business information (name, address, number of employees).
3. Step 3: Pay the premium. Most janitorial bonds are flat-rate with no credit check.
4. Step 4: Receive the bond by email — usually within minutes to one business day.
5. Step 5: Provide proof of bonding to your client. They typically want either a copy of the bond or a certificate of insurance.

Browse all state janitorial bonds on BondsExpress — coverage available in every U.S. state with same-day issue.

State Requirements

Most states don’t legally require a janitorial bond to operate a cleaning business — but commercial clients almost always do. A few states have additional licensing requirements:

• California: Janitorial businesses must register with the California Department of Industrial Relations (Property Service Workers Protection Act). Separate from the bond itself.
• New York: Janitorial businesses serving NYC may face additional registration requirements depending on jurisdiction.
• Florida: Janitorial businesses cleaning state-licensed facilities (hospitals, schools) may face contract-specific bonding requirements.

For state-by-state janitorial bond availability, see the janitorial bonds category on BondsExpress.

Can You Get a Janitorial Bond with Bad Credit?

Yes — most janitorial bonds don’t involve a credit check at all because they’re underwritten by employee count, not personal credit. This makes them one of the most accessible bond types in the entire surety market. Unlike contractor bonds or freight broker bonds, bad credit rarely affects janitorial bond pricing. For broader credit-challenged bond options, see our bad credit surety bonds guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a janitorial bond?
  A janitorial bond is a fidelity bond that protects a cleaning business’s clients from theft committed by cleaning employees while on the client’s property. Despite the name, it’s not a true surety bond — it’s a two-party agreement that pays clients directly when employee theft is proven.
• How much does a janitorial bond cost?
  Janitorial bonds cost $100–$500 per year for most small cleaning businesses. The premium depends on coverage amount and number of employees.
• Is a janitorial bond required by law?
  In most states, no. There’s no federal or state law requiring cleaning businesses to be bonded. However, commercial clients (offices, banks, government facilities, medical buildings) almost always require proof of bonding before signing a service contract.
• Do I need a bond to start a cleaning business?
  Legally, no — in most states you can start a cleaning business without one. Practically, yes — if you want commercial contracts. Most commercial property managers and facility owners require a janitorial bond before they’ll sign a service agreement.
• What is the difference between bonded and insured for cleaning services?
  Being bonded protects your client from theft by your employees. Being insured protects your client (and your business) from accidents and property damage. They cover completely different risks. Most professional cleaning businesses need both.
• How do I get bonded for a cleaning business?
  Apply with a bond provider, give them your business information and employee count, pay the premium (usually flat-rate, no credit check), and receive the bond by email — often same-day. BondsExpress writes janitorial bonds in all 50 states.
• What does a janitorial bond cover?
  A janitorial bond covers theft of money, goods, or property by cleaning employees while working at the client’s premises. It does NOT cover accidental damage (general liability handles that), worker injuries (workers’ comp), or theft committed by the business owner.
• Can I get a janitorial bond with bad credit?
  Yes. Most janitorial bonds don’t involve a credit check — they’re underwritten based on employee count, not credit score. This makes them one of the most accessible bond types for credit-challenged applicants.
• How long does a janitorial bond last?
  Most janitorial bonds run for one year and renew annually. This bond is also offered for a 3 year term at a discounted rate.
• Is a janitorial bond the same as a surety bond?
  Not exactly. A janitorial bond is technically a fidelity bond — a two-party agreement that protects the client from employee theft. A surety bond is a three-party agreement involving a principal, obligee, and surety. The terms are used interchangeably in everyday business but they work differently.

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