Deciding to change security company is often the right call when service has slipped, costs no longer make sense or your needs have outgrown your current provider. But many property owners delay the move because they fear the changeover itself: a night with no guard, a dispute over the notice period, or lost keys and records.

The good news is that a well-planned switch takes only a few weeks and leaves no gap in protection. This guide walks you through the process step by step, whether you are a homeowner, an estate committee, a school or a business.

Signs it is time to change security company

You may be ready for a new provider if:

• Guards are frequently late, absent or replaced without notice
• You rarely or never see a supervisor
• Incidents have happened and the response was slow or unclear
• Complaints are acknowledged but nothing changes
• The provider cannot show its registration or confirm fair pay for guards
• Your property or business has grown and the provider cannot offer CCTV, alarms or response
• Prices keep rising without any improvement in service

One of these might be fixable with a firm conversation. Several at once usually means it is time to move. Our article on the red flags of a bad security company explains each warning sign in more detail.

Step 1: Read your current contract

Before you tell anyone, find your current contract and check:

Knowing these terms prevents surprises and gives you a clear timeline.

Step 2: Document the problems

If you are leaving because of poor service, write down specific examples: dates, times, what happened and how the company responded. This record helps if the provider disputes early termination, and it tells your new provider which weaknesses to fix first.

Step 3: Choose the new provider before giving notice

Never give notice before you have a replacement lined up. Get site assessments and quotes from two or three companies. Use our checklist on how to choose a security company in Kenya and our questions to ask before signing a security contract.

When you choose, confirm in writing:

• The exact start date and time of the first shift
• The number of guards, posts and hours
• Who will attend the handover
• How the new provider will learn your site before day one

Step 4: Agree the changeover date

Pick a changeover date that works for both contracts. The cleanest approach is for the outgoing guard’s last shift to end at exactly the time the incoming guard’s first shift begins, usually at a morning or evening shift change.

For high-risk sites, a short overlap is worth the small extra cost.

Step 5: Give notice in writing

Send notice exactly as your contract requires, and keep a copy. Be professional and factual. You do not need to argue; simply confirm the end date, request a final invoice and arrange the return of any keys, codes or client-owned equipment.

Step 6: Prepare the handover pack

Put together everything the new provider needs to protect your property from the first minute:

1. Site layout, with gates, entry points and blind spots marked
2. List of residents, staff and regular visitors, with contact numbers
3. Emergency contacts: owners, managers, neighbours, local police station
4. Existing post instructions or duty list
5. Recent incident history
6. Alarm codes and procedures, to be changed after handover
7. Keys and access cards inventory

Our security guard duties checklist can help you create post instructions if you do not have any.

Step 7: Run the handover on the day

On changeover day:

• Have a responsible person on site, such as the owner, estate manager or facilities manager
• Walk the site with the incoming supervisor and guards
• Collect keys, access cards and client-owned equipment from the outgoing provider
• Change alarm codes, gate codes and padlock combinations
• Record the handover in the occurrence book, with times and names
• Confirm the new guards have all emergency numbers

Step 8: Watch the first month closely

The first weeks with a new provider set the tone. Check that guards arrive on time, supervisors visit, the occurrence book is kept properly and any issues are resolved quickly. Hold a short review meeting at the end of the first month.

Special considerations for estates and businesses

Estates: inform residents in advance about the change and the start date, so they are not surprised by new faces at the gate. Share the new provider’s contacts, and update the resident and vehicle register.

Businesses: tell staff, especially reception and facilities teams, about the change. Update visitor procedures, and brief the new guards on any company policies such as bag searches or ID checks.

Schools and clinics: plan the changeover outside peak hours, and inform parents or patients if procedures change.

What if the outgoing provider is uncooperative?

Occasionally a provider reacts badly to losing a contract. Protect yourself by:

• Giving notice exactly as the contract requires
• Keeping all communication in writing
• Changing codes and locks immediately after handover
• Arranging for your new provider to start exactly as the old one ends, so there is no gap
• Settling legitimate final invoices promptly to avoid disputes

Common mistakes to avoid

• Giving notice before a new provider is confirmed
• Letting the old provider’s last shift end hours before the new one starts
• Forgetting to change codes, padlocks and access cards
• Not telling residents or staff
• Choosing the new provider on price alone, and ending up with the same problems

How Bestcare Security handles your switch

When you change security company to Bestcare Security, we plan the handover with you. A supervisor visits your site before the start date, prepares written post instructions, and briefs your guards in advance. On changeover day, we arrive before the outgoing provider leaves so there is no gap. Learn more about our manned guarding services, residential security services and corporate security services.

A realistic timeline

For most homes and small businesses, a switch takes three to six weeks from first enquiry to the new guards being settled:

Your notice period may make this longer or shorter.

What to ask the new provider before day one

A smooth start depends on preparation. Before the first shift, ask your new provider to confirm the names of the guards who will be deployed, the name and number of their supervisor, and the control room number for emergencies. Ask how the guards will learn your site: will a supervisor walk them around before they start, and will they have written post instructions on the first night? Confirm how the new provider will contact you in the first week if anything is unclear. These simple questions make the first nights far safer, because the people at your gate know exactly what to do.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice do I need to give to change security company?

It depends on your contract. Many contracts require one to three months’ notice. Check yours before planning dates.

Can I change security company in the middle of a contract?

Sometimes, if the contract allows termination for poor service or early termination with a fee. Read the terms carefully and seek legal advice for large contracts.

How do I avoid a night without guards during the switch?

Confirm the new provider’s start time before giving notice, and make sure the first new shift begins exactly as the last old shift ends. For high-risk sites, arrange a short overlap.

Should I change alarm and gate codes when switching?

Yes. Change all codes, padlock combinations and access cards immediately after the handover.

Can the new company keep my current guards?

Some providers will consider existing guards, subject to their own vetting and training. Ask during the proposal stage.

What should I tell residents or staff?

Tell them the date of the change, introduce the new provider and share any changes to visitor procedures.

How quickly can Bestcare Security take over?

Once a contract is agreed, we can usually start as soon as your notice period ends. Call 0709 004 600 to plan your switch.

Related reading

• Security Guard Rates in Kenya: What You Will Pay and Why
• How Many Security Guards Do I Need? A Practical Guide for Kenyan Properties
• Day Guard vs Night Guard vs 24-Hour Security: Which Do You Need?

Explore our manned guarding services or see all our security services in Kenya.