Short answer
Read your current contract's term and notice clause, then get walkthroughs and written quotes from new cleaners. Pick one, agree on a start date, and only then give written notice, so the new crew's first night is the night after the old service ends. Collect all keys, change alarm codes and check the work in the first week.
The short version
- Read your current contract’s term and notice clause.
- Get walkthroughs and written quotes from new cleaners.
- Pick one and agree on a start date.
- Give notice to your current cleaner.
- Hand over keys, alarm codes and access. Collect the old set.
- Walk the building after the first week.
1. Read your current contract first
Before you call anyone, find two things in your current agreement: when the term ends and how much notice you have to give. Many commercial cleaning contracts renew automatically unless you give written notice, often 30 days or more, before the renewal date. Some include early termination fees. Knowing this first tells you your real start date.
2. Get walkthroughs, not phone quotes
A cleaner who quotes without seeing your building is guessing. A proper walkthrough covers every room, how the space is used, what your current cleaner keeps missing and what schedule makes sense. You should leave it with a written checklist and a written quote.
3. Compare on the things that caused the switch
You’re switching for a reason. If the problem was missed nights, ask how the new cleaner proves they showed up. If it was a new crew every week, ask whether you’ll have a regular crew. If it was an unresponsive account manager, ask who you’ll actually call. Price matters, but a cheaper version of the same problem isn’t a fix.
4. Set the start date, then give notice
Agree on a start date with the new cleaner before you give notice to the old one. The goal is for the new crew’s first night to be the night after the old service ends. Give notice in writing, in whatever form your contract requires.
5. Handle keys and access carefully
- Get every key, card and fob back from the old cleaner.
- Change alarm codes or issue new ones.
- Give the new crew access instructions in writing, including alarm procedures and which doors to use.
6. Check the first week
Walk the building after the first few cleans and compare it to the checklist. Anything missed should be fixed immediately. Good cleaners expect this and welcome it.
Switching mid-contract
If you’re mid-term, you have three options: wait out the term and switch at renewal, give notice and pay any termination fee, or negotiate an exit with your current cleaner if they’ve failed to perform. Documentation helps: dates of missed cleans, photos and emails. Either way, you can line up the new cleaner now and simply set the start date for when the old contract ends.
How we handle switches
Most of our clients come from another cleaning company. We do the walkthrough and quote now, set your first night for the day your current service ends, and work month to month, so you never face this problem with us.