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What to ask before you change janitorial companies
Most janitorial relationships do not fail on price. They fail on turnover, supervision and a scope nobody wrote down. If you are considering a change, these are the questions that predict whether the next contract goes better.
6 min read · Updated August 2026
Ask before you sign
A confident contractor answers all of these in writing without a follow-up meeting.
- Who supervises this building, how often do they inspect, and what does the report look like?
- Are the people cleaning my building employees or subcontractors, and are they background-checked?
- What is the response commitment when something is missed?
- What is included in the base price and what will be billed separately?
- How is the floor-care cycle scheduled and budgeted for the next 12 months?
- What happens to my price at renewal, and how much notice do I get?
- Can I see certificates of insurance and workers' compensation coverage now?
Run the transition in the right order
A clean handoff takes about two weeks and prevents the gap week that makes everyone regret the switch.
- Check your current agreement's notice period before you talk price with anyone else
- Walk the building with the new provider and get a written scope, not a monthly number
- Set the start date the day after the outgoing provider's final service
- Handle keys, alarm codes and access badges in writing on both sides
- Schedule a restoration clean in week one if the building has fallen behind
- Book a 30-day review against the scope while everything is still fresh
Reasons a switch is justified
Not every complaint means you need a new vendor — sometimes the frequency is simply too low for the building. But these patterns rarely improve on their own: constant crew turnover, no supervisor you can name, repeated restroom failures, surprise line items, and a scope that never existed in writing.
Frequently asked
How much notice do I need to give?
Most commercial janitorial agreements require 30 days, some 60. Check the termination clause before starting a bid process.
Will the same crew stay if we switch companies?
Sometimes. Reputable providers will consider retaining good existing staff, which preserves building knowledge and reduces disruption.
Should we ask for a trial period?
A 60- or 90-day performance review with a clear exit is more useful than a trial. It gives both sides real time while keeping accountability.
Ready for a property partner that shows up?
Tell us what your building needs. We'll walk it, scope it, and give you a fixed price.