How much notice should I give my current cleaning provider?
Check the contract first — 30 days is common, but auto-renewal clauses can require notice well before the renewal date. Give notice only after the new provider's start date is confirmed.
CORE™ decision support
How to switch commercial cleaning companies without disrupting operations
The short answer: switching providers cleanly comes down to sequencing — line up and benchmark the new provider before giving notice to the old one, agree on a specific transition date, and build in at least one overlap or verification visit so there's no gap where nobody is cleaning the building.
The transition, step by step
- 01
Diagnose why you're switching first
Price, service quality, and reliability are different problems with different fixes. Being specific about which one is driving the switch shapes what to look for in a new provider and what to write into the new contract.
- 02
Benchmark before you shop
Get an independent reference point for what your building should cost before talking to any new bidders, so you're not just comparing your old price to whatever a new provider quotes.
- 03
Run a proper RFP with the new provider
Don't treat a switch as an emergency shortcut. The same scope, frequency, and staffing questions that apply to any new contract apply here — rushing this step is how the next contract ends up as vague as the one you're leaving.
- 04
Check your current contract's exit terms
Notice periods, auto-renewal windows, and any early-termination language should be confirmed before you commit to a start date with the new provider.
- 05
Set a specific transition date, not a range
A firm date with both providers eliminates the ambiguous window where each assumes the other is still covering the building.
- 06
Build in a verification visit
Have a walkthrough or the first two visits closely reviewed against the new scope of work, since this is when misunderstandings about what's included tend to surface.
- 07
Document the building's history for the new provider
Access procedures, known trouble spots, existing supply storage, and any standing instructions should be handed off directly rather than rediscovered.
Provider transition questions
Is there a risk of a service gap during a transition?
Only if the end date and start date are left vague. A firm, specific transition date agreed with both providers removes almost all of that risk.
Should the old and new provider ever overlap?
A short overlap or handoff walkthrough is often useful for access, supply storage, and known trouble spots, though it isn't strictly required if the documentation handoff is thorough.
What should I have ready before the new provider's first visit?
Access and alarm procedures, key or badge assignments, janitorial closet and supply locations, the itemized scope of work, and a named point of contact on your side.
How long does a typical transition take?
Most transitions run four to six weeks end to end — benchmarking and bidding, then the contractual notice period, then the first verification visits.
Reviewing your current contract before you switch? See the red flags to check for.