A pest control service agreement is a short written contract that says what you will treat, how often, for how much, and what happens with callbacks, cancellations and access. This free template covers the clauses a small company's residential agreement usually includes, with blanks to fill in. It is a starting point, not legal advice: have a local attorney review it before you use it.
- Printable agreement (US Letter, about two pages; open it, print, or choose "Save as PDF")
- Editable text version (same clauses as plain text; paste into Word, Google Docs or Pages and fill in the blanks)
This is not legal advice. Contract and consumer protection rules differ by state, and your state's pest control regulator may have its own rules on agreements, notices or termite work. Have a local attorney review the template before you use it, and confirm notice and record rules with your state's pesticide regulatory agency.
What should a pest control service agreement include?
Most residential agreements cover the same ten things. Here is the checklist the template follows.
- Parties: company name, license number, customer, service address
- Services: what each visit includes, covered pests, exclusions
- Frequency: monthly, every other month, quarterly or seasonal
- Price and payment terms: amount, when due, accepted methods, late terms
- Re-service (callback) policy: when free re-treatment applies and its limits
- Term and cancellation: initial term, renewal, notice by either side
- Customer responsibilities: access, pets, preparation, sanitation, repairs
- Chemical notice: label use, notice before treatment, records on request
- Liability limits: what you promise and what you do not
- Signatures and dates
Keep it to two pages. A homeowner who reads the whole thing is less likely to argue about it later.
How do I describe the services and covered pests?
Be specific. "Pest control" is not a scope. List the pests and what a visit includes, then put the exclusions directly underneath.
Template text:
Services. Company will provide ________ (frequency) general pest service at the property. Each visit includes: ________ (for example: exterior perimeter treatment, eave and web removal, inspection of exterior rodent stations, interior treatment on request). Covered pests: ________. Not covered unless added in writing: termites and other wood-destroying organisms, bed bugs, wildlife, mosquitoes, stinging insects in wall voids, and ________.
Excluded pests are the ones customers assume are included. Termite and bed bug work is priced and handled differently, so name it.
If you are choosing a visit frequency, monthly vs quarterly pest control plans compares the two.
What payment terms should I put in the agreement?
State the price, when it is due, how the customer can pay, and what happens if they do not.
Price and payment. The initial service is $. Each recurring service is $ per ________ (visit / month). Prices ________ (include / do not include) sales tax. Payment is due ________ (at time of service / on receipt / within ___ days). Accepted methods: . A late fee of $ applies after ___ days. Company may pause service while the account is past due.
Use the same numbers on your estimate and invoice. If they do not match, the customer will pick the lower one. See how to price pest control services for working out the numbers, the estimate template for quoting them, and the invoice template for billing them.
What should the re-service policy say?
A free re-service between visits is a fair promise, but it needs limits or it eats your margin.
Re-service. If covered pests return between scheduled visits, Company will re-treat at no extra charge, provided the account is current. Re-service applies to covered pests only. Treatment reduces pest activity; it does not guarantee a pest-free property. Company may require the customer to correct conditions that prevent control (for example moisture, sanitation, open entry points) before further re-service.
More on the economics in handling pest control callbacks.
How should cancellation and the term work?
Give the agreement a defined term, say how it renews, and give both sides a clear way out.
Term and cancellation. This agreement starts on ________ and runs for ________ months. It then continues ________ (month to month / for another term) on the same terms unless either party cancels. Either party may cancel with ___ days' written notice (email accepted). If the customer cancels before ________ visits, the customer will pay $________ toward the discounted initial service. Company may cancel for non-payment, unsafe conditions or repeated refusal of access.
Early cancellation fees and automatic renewal are areas where state consumer laws can apply. Have your attorney check this clause in particular. Clear terms also help with reducing cancellations.
What are the customer's responsibilities?
Treatments fail when the technician cannot get in or the house is not prepared, and the callback lands on you.
Customer responsibilities. The customer will provide access to ________ (yard, garage, interior as scheduled). Gates will be unlocked and pets kept inside or secured during exterior service. The customer will tell Company about pets, aquariums, and anyone in the home with chemical sensitivities, pregnancy or respiratory conditions. The customer will complete any preparation Company provides in writing before treatment. If the technician cannot access the property or preparation is not done, Company may reschedule and charge $________.
What should the chemical notice and liability clauses say?
Say that products are applied according to the label and the law, how the customer is notified, and that records are available.
Pesticide use and notice. Company will apply products according to their labels and applicable law. Company will provide ________ (product information / notice before treatment) as required by state law. The customer may request a copy of the application record for any visit.
Limits. Company will perform services in a workmanlike manner. Company does not guarantee permanent elimination of pests and is not responsible for damage that existed before service, conditions concealed from Company, or the customer's failure to complete recommended repairs or sanitation. Company's liability for any claim is limited to ________.
Notice and record rules differ by state. Check the chemical application record template for what a record contains, and your state's page (for example Florida or Texas) for local rules.
Finish with signature lines for the company and the customer, each with printed name and date.
Can customers sign online instead of on paper?
Yes, as long as your attorney is comfortable with electronic signatures for your agreement. PestShift does not manage contracts, but it does have estimates with e-signature: the customer opens the estimate from a link and signs with a finger on their phone. Make sure the signed estimate shows the same services, frequency and price as your agreement, so the two documents never disagree. PestShift also stores recurring service plans (monthly, every other month, quarterly or seasonal) against the customer.
Your technicians can use the PestShift app offline after it installs to the home screen, and if you are moving from another system, switching includes a free customer import.
Want to send your next quote for e-signature? Try PestShift free for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written service agreement for residential pest control?
It is strongly recommended because it settles scope, price and cancellation before there is a dispute. Whether your state requires a written contract for certain work, such as termite treatment, is a question for your state's pest control regulator.
Is this template legally binding as written?
It is a starting point, not legal advice. Have a local attorney review and adapt it to your state's contract and consumer protection rules before you use it.
How long should a pest control service agreement be?
One to two pages is enough for most residential agreements. Longer agreements are less likely to be read, which defeats the purpose.
Should the agreement include a guarantee?
Promise workmanlike service and free re-service for covered pests while the account is current. Avoid promising that the property will be permanently pest-free.
Can I use the same agreement for commercial accounts?
Commercial accounts often need extra terms such as service logs, inspection schedules and insurance certificates. Use this as a base and have your attorney add what commercial customers require.
How much notice should customers give to cancel?
Thirty days of written notice is simple for both sides, but check your state's consumer rules with your attorney, especially if the agreement renews automatically.