Why transitions go wrong
Most cleaning company switches go badly for one of three reasons: the outgoing company is given no notice and stops showing up immediately, the incoming company starts before they've had a proper walkthrough, or access credentials (keys, key codes, alarm codes) are transferred without a documented handoff. Any one of these produces days or weeks of degraded service.
The right sequence
Review your current contract's termination clause
Most commercial cleaning contracts require 30–60 days' written notice. Check the clause before you do anything else. Terminating without notice may trigger a penalty or, worse, leave you with a company that has no incentive to maintain service quality through the transition.
Get a scope and quote from the new company before giving notice
Don't give notice until you have a signed scope document and start date from your new contractor. A scope walkthrough takes 20–40 minutes and the written quote comes within two business days. This step costs you nothing and avoids a coverage gap.
Give written notice to the outgoing company
Send notice in writing — email with read receipt, or certified mail if the contract specifies. Include the termination date. Keep a copy. Do not give verbal notice and assume it's documented.
Schedule a facility introduction with the new crew
Before the first service date, the new crew lead should walk the facility with the facility manager. This is not optional — it's where the scope document gets translated into an actual cleaning route.
Transfer access credentials on the last day of outgoing service
Change alarm codes and re-key (or re-code key-pad locks) on the day the outgoing company's last service date occurs. Provide the new codes and keys to the incoming crew before their first visit. Document the handoff in writing.
Schedule a 15-day check-in with the new company
At two weeks, ask the new cleaning contact what they've observed and raise anything that isn't matching the scope. Issues caught at 15 days are easy to fix. Issues that go unaddressed for 60 days become contract disputes.
What to do if the outgoing company stops showing up
It happens. If the outgoing company stops service early after receiving notice, document the date they stopped, photograph the facility condition, and contact your incoming company to see if they can start earlier than planned. Most commercial cleaning companies can accelerate a start date by one to two weeks if the situation is urgent.
If you're ready to make a switch: request a walkthrough or call (866) 958-8773.
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