Post-Construction Cleaning: What to Expect (Full Checklist)
6 min read
New builds and renovations leave behind a fine construction dust that ordinary cleaning just moves around. Post-construction cleaning is a specialized job done in phases. Here's exactly what to expect, and the full checklist we work through before a client walkthrough.
The three phases: rough, final, and touch-up
Post-construction cleaning usually happens in up to three passes, and knowing the difference helps you schedule the right one:
- Rough clean — after major work is done: haul debris, sweep, knock down heavy dust so trades can keep moving.
- Final (detail) clean — the full detail: every surface, fixture, window, and floor, plus sticker and paint-spot removal.
- Touch-up clean — a last pass right before the client walkthrough so the space shows perfectly on handoff day.
The full post-construction checklist
A complete final clean works through all of this:
- Remove construction dust and debris
- Wipe all surfaces, fixtures, and hardware
- Clean windows, frames, and tracks
- Detail-clean cabinets inside and out
- Clean and polish all floors
- Remove stickers, labels, and paint spots
- Vents, fans, and light fixtures dusted
- Baseboards and trim detailed
- Final debris and trash removal
- Walkthrough for touch-ups
Why construction dust needs a specialist
Construction dust is finer than household dust and settles into vents, light fixtures, cabinet interiors, and window tracks. Cleaning only the visible surfaces means the HVAC recirculates dust for weeks after move-in. A proper post-construction clean details all of it — which is why it's priced differently from a normal deep clean.
How post-construction cleaning is priced
Most post-construction jobs are priced by square footage — roughly $0.20 to $0.28 per square foot — or by the phase of work. A typical 2,000 sq ft home runs about $400–$560 for a final clean. General contractors who use the same crew job-to-job get priority scheduling and consistent results.
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