Post Construction Cleaning: What Is It & How Do You Find The Right Company?

The post construction cleaning is a post-construction activity that is needed once a structure is completely prepared. After the cleaning, the owner is ready to use the space. Cleaning after construction isn’t optional but mandatory. And, if your house, office, etc., is too large, you cannot handle all the cleaning yourself, even if you are a DIY enthusiast. 

That is why post construction cleaning companies are available online. And they can save you a huge amount of time, especially in the context of large projects.  

What is Post Construction Cleaning?

The post construction cleaning is a very important act after a project is built. It makes the constructed site ready for use. After building, there are huge layers of dust, paint splatters, cement residue, nails, etc., lying all over the place. So, to remove them and make the area clean is the final step in using the property. 

After this deep cleaning session, all types of houses or other forms of newly constructed buildings become habitable. The phrase “Post Construction Cleaning” also refers to the cleaning services that people with newly developed property can take advantage of. They can hire them and get the area cleaned faster, saving time and money both. And then they can move in earlier, soon getting back to the normal lifestyle.  

Easy Hire: If hiring a professional is expensive for you, consider Reddit and other media platforms to look for locals who can help you with the cleaning job. 

Finding someone near you is not that hard. It is just a matter of publishing a post and then letting time do its work. Look at the screenshot below.

Consider the positive replies in response. 

Why Post Construction Cleaning is Important

The post construction cleaning is important for several reasons. However, in simple terms, the main purpose is to have a clean space before moving in. Typically, the cleaning helps in  

• Removing harmful construction dust and other leftovers from final finishes  
• Preventing accidents from debris and health-related issues such as dust allergies, aggravation of asthma, etc. 
• Protecting flooring, windows, and fixtures 
• Enhancing the final project presentation 
• Improving indoor air quality
• Making the property ready to move in 
• Complying with the health and safety guidelines, especially in commercial and industrial constructions 

Universality: All types of residential construction need this cleaning session. It doesn’t matter how big or small a project is! However, you don’t want to call out a professional for a small space. That you can handle yourself.

Hire Benefits: If you hire a professional team or company to handle the task, you will enjoy quality cleaning. Additionally, you will save time as well due to their expertise in the field. You can move in as soon as possible.

Different Types of Post Construction Cleaning

The cleaning process after construction is divided into three stages. It involves rough cleaning, light cleaning, and final deep cleaning. All types of construction need these three phases of cleaning upon completion. Have a look at each in brief below.   

1. Rough Cleaning

Imagine a site full of heaps of leftovers from construction. You have wooden and concrete parts strewn all over the floor. There are brick chunks and also large debris. That is where it takes most of the cleaning effort. 

All of these major materials are removed from the interiors during the initial cleaning phase.  

2. Light Cleaning

Once the debris, easily detectable and in large quantities, is removed, we enter into the second stage of the post construction cleaning. Now, the light cleaning is performed. Here, the focus shifts to remove the remainder of the dust and minute particles of all nature. 

All the components of the building, such as walls, windows, light fixtures, HVAC, and other outlets, are thoroughly cleaned. 

Note: Deep cleaning of the HVAC vents is important because it helps prevent recirculation of the dust and debris into the interior.

3. Final Cleaning

Now, all is done. But perfection hasn’t been achieved yet. So, it is the time every single surface is wiped extra for shining and polishing. Also, the space is inspected to see if any spots are left untouched.   

That is how a professional company handles cleaning in a recently constructed building.  

Also Read: What Is ICF Construction? Benefits, Cost & How It Works! 

Main Steps in the Post Construction Cleaning Process

A professional company typically ensures the following steps in the after-construction cleaning process. Briefly, it includes debris removal, dusting, vacuuming, window and glass cleaning, etc.  

• Debris removal: This is the very core of all the post construction cleaning services.  
• Dusting and vacuuming: It helps remove even the minute dust particles and makes the floor completely clean. 
• Window and glass cleaning: These parts often collect huge amounts of dust during the construction process. 
• Floor cleaning and polishing: The floor is not just cleaned of large debris and minute dust particles. But it is also polished so that it can improve the interior aesthetics. 
• Bathroom and kitchen sanitization: These areas often take time, due to comparatively smaller spaces and a lot of plumbing. That even adds to the burden if you have either a Jack and Jill bathroom or an en suite, apart from separate facilities.   
• Air vent and HVAC cleaning: This part is crucial, too, because improper cleaning here can lead to recirculation of the unwanted particles again into the interior and atmosphere later on.  
• Final inspection: Lastly, the cleaning manager makes sure that all the parts of the property are well cleaned. If anything is left, the team is sent to get it done. 

Tools, Supplies, and Equipment Used

The most essential tools, supplies, and equipment required in the post construction cleaning are as follows. However, it is not a comprehensive list. 

• Heavy-duty trash bags 
• Dust pans
• Brooms
• Vacuums, namely, a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner and a backpack vacuum
• Upholstery cleaning tools 
• Mop bucket and wringer 
• Buckets 
• Mop heads
• Hoses
• Rubber gloves
• Scrub brushes and scrub pads
• Dust masks 
• Protective eyewear 
• Hard hats 
• Dust masks 
• Microfiber cloths
• Safety signs 
• Window washing equipment
• Putty knives
• Step ladders
• Ladder bumpers 
• Extension ladders 
• Brute, etc. 

Your cleaning service provider will arrange for all this gear. Or, they will get them on rent from somewhere. In short, it is not your thing to worry about as a property owner. However, if you have taken up this cleaning as a DIY, you will have to ensure that these tools are at hand first. 

Common Areas That Need Cleaning After Construction

The common areas in this regard are mentioned below. 

• Floors
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Windows
• Cabinets
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• HVAC systems
• Staircases
• Exterior surroundings

Note: Even if you want to clean most of these parts yourself, do hire a professional cleaner for your HVAC systems. It is because they need special equipment and skills for thorough cleaning. Or, dust particles will keep circulating inside your property every time you turn on the HVAC units. 

Residential vs Commercial Post Construction Cleaning

The key differences between residential and commercial post construction cleaning can be explored based on the following points. It includes size, design, debris nature, health & safety guidelines, cost, and time flexibility.  

Differences	Residential Post Construction Cleaning	Commercial Post Construction Cleaning
Size	Small (Low effort required)	Large (High effort required)
Design	Simple (Easy to manage)	Complex (Strategic cleaning needed; not that easy to manage)
Debris nature	Cleaners mostly deal with basic leftovers such as dust, drywall pieces, paint spills and drops, etc.	Cleaners mostly deal with hard and industrial stuff, chemicals, metal scraps, grease accumulation, etc.
Health and safety guidelines	Cleaning is not inevitably a mandate of law or a health-related guideline here. It is just for the sake of a clean space.	Cleaning is more of a legal procedure here, out of the necessity of compliance. For example, hospitals and restaurants have to follow strict health and safety rules.
Cost	Low (Due to small space)	High (Due to large space and complex build)
Time flexibility	While cleaning a house, there is hardly any time pressure. The process can even be delayed or wait if the focus is needed on something else for a while.	In commercial properties, the cleaning has to be done in a strictly time-bound manner. Or, the property owner will have to suffer a huge loss due to halted operations because of delays.

Challenges in Post Construction Cleanup

Learn about the major challenges involved in post construction cleanup here. These issues typically range from tight deadlines, dust & debris accumulation, stubborn construction residues, heavy debris disposal, and other such aspects. For more, refer to the following points.   

• Tight deadlines: That is what makes the cleaning most pressing, especially in commercial buildings where time is money.  
• Dust and debris accumulation: Noticeable heaps of unwanted materials from the construction process aren’t that big a problem. The main cause of nuisance is minute particles that have settled in various hard-to-reach areas. 
• Stubborn construction residues: Paint and adhesive stains are another big challenge. When such materials are established on delicate parts such as wooden cabinets, glasses, and wooden room doors, cleaning might also lead to scratches and damage to the delicate surface. That often adds to client dissatisfaction.  
• Heavy debris disposal: Large chunks of concrete can be cleaned from the site. But the main problem comes when it comes to disposing of such heavy debris. 
• Environmental considerations: Dealing with established and clingy substances requires chemical cleaners. And it makes cleaning unsustainable. Additionally, it is a potential problem with the growing number of clients seeking environmentally friendly solutions.  
• Safety hazards: While cleaning materials with skin-damaging properties, workers often have to be very careful. The skin and face have to be completely covered. That itself becomes suffocating with manual labor. That is why not only the construction safety checklist but also a post-construction cleaning safety checklist is important. 

Note: Such challenges are more prominent in commercial projects rather than in residential builds. 

Safety Measures During Construction Cleaning

The key measures that are part of all post construction cleaning plans are personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, and emergency response plans. All the other measures just revolve around these most fundamental heads.   

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): It includes all the safety items that can be worn and used by the working team proactively. This proactive approach helps prevent future accidents during the cleanup. 
• Hazard communication: Without communication, some members of the team might get involved in one type of accident or another. And it hits the most when the fatalities could have been prevented with proper knowledge. Thus, it is crucial that everyone knows about the potential hazards available on the site before they get to work.  
• Emergency response plans: The best safety strategy doesn’t just have to stop at anticipating problems and proactively working on their prevention. It is also all about setting up systems in place in advance for emergencies. 

Do you know? 

New technologies like MEP and robotics in construction are increasingly making the post-construction sites less and less cumbersome to deal with. Now, there is less wastage and mess to clean up! 

DIY vs Professional Post Construction Cleaning

DIY is cheap, and you can ensure the cleaning is done the way you want. But that will not give you deeply professional results, faster! Briefly explore the following tables for quick comparison between DIY and professional cleaning after a construction project is done. 

DIY Cleaning
Pros	Cons
Lower Cost	Time-consuming
Flexible timing	Difficulty in cleaning hard-to-reach areas
Working at your own pace
Extra care

Professional Services
Pros	Cons
Faster work	Expensive
Expert cleaning
Proper methods of disposal

Conclusion: Professional cleaning is better if you need to move in within a specific period of time. Or, you are dealing with a large, complex build. Otherwise, in a small residential structure, DIY will help you save a fortune. However, for the most expensive houses in America, you might need professional assistance. 

Also Read: Commercial HVAC in Fort Worth & Key Considerations Before You Plan Its Installation! 

How Much Does Post Construction Cleaning Cost?

The cost of construction cleaning services mainly depends on the size of the project. So, the average can range somewhere from $125 to $750. For a detailed view with square foot data, consider the following table.   

Project Area (Sq. Ft.)	Average Cleanup Cost	Average Cleanup Cost Range
500	$126	$50-$253
1,000	$252	$100-$508
1,500	$377	$155-$758
2,000	$503	$201-$1,009
2,500	$628	$253-$1,254
3,000	$755	$330-$1,580

Note: These figures are just estimates and thus subject to variations. For precise values, consult a cleaning service provider. 

Factors Affecting Post Construction Cleaning Prices

Property size, debris amount, construction type, accessibility, cleaning timeline, etc., are the major factors in this regard. Consider all of them below in brief.  

• Property size: The higher the size, the more space there will be that needs to be crystal cleaned. 
• Debris amount: If the post-construction site is completely raw, full of heaps of waste materials, that is a potential factor to cause costs to rise. 
• Construction type: Commercial construction sites are often expensive to clean compared to residential buildings. That is mainly due to large structures and complex designs. 
• Accessibility: How much the area is open and easy to access is also crucial. Very intricate and inaccessible areas within the building might require specialized, narrow tools. As a result, the cost will shoot up. 
• Cleaning timeline: Too tight a deadline means the site will need more people at work for fast cleaning. That means higher charges. 
• Specialized equipment: The more complex the design, the more highly specialized the equipment it will require for the deep cleaning. Thus, always keep your architecture in mind while setting up your post-built cleaning budget. You need a high budget for a complicated design.   
• Labor requirements: The more you need labor, the more it will cost. Thus, the number of laborers needed to clean the area also fluctuates the overall cost. 

Benefits of Hiring Professional Cleaning Services

There are various advantages to hiring post construction cleaning services. The major ones are listed below.  

• Better cleaning
• Fast work
• Precision in work due to expertise and experience 
• Time saving 
• Stress reduction, because being a DIYer, you will have to put in a lot of hard work 
• Properly fulfilling legal requirements in places where safety compliance is crucial 

Eco-Friendly Post Construction Cleaning Practices

Some of the major eco-friendly post construction cleaning practices are highlighted below. It is, in simple terms, related to green products, recycling debris, dust-control methods, water-saving equipment, sustainable waste disposal, and no to single-use plastics. 

• Green products: Use non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products so that it doesn’t harm the immediate surroundings and greenery within the premises. 
• Recycling debris: Recycling is always a great way to ensure sustainability, no matter where we use it. Some of the discarded materials can be used in better places. 
• Dust-control methods: It is the most valuable practice during the cleaning sessions. It helps maintain better air quality inside and around the premises. 
• Water-saving equipment: So, you don’t end up wasting the scarcest resource, which is water. 
• Sustainable waste disposal: Not only saving water, but disposing of the used water properly is also of great significance. The goal is not to let any of the used water contaminate the drinkable water resources underground or anywhere. 
• No to single-use plastics: Don’t use or minimize their use. Instead of single-use plastic, take advantage of reusable cleaning supplies. It helps reduce the carbon footprint to a great extent. 

How Long Does Post-Construction Cleaning Take?

There is no single number to answer this question that fits all project owners and their varying requirements. However, for a general idea, you can consider the following table. Learn how long construction cleaning services might take to clean your space. 

Project Type	Average Time Needed
Residential units	1 to 3 days
Small commercial spaces	2 to 5 days
Office buildings	1 to several weeks
Hotels and resorts	Several weeks to months
Industrial complexes	Several weeks to months

Note: These are just general approximations based on average sizes. So, you can get an idea by categorizing your property into one of the given project types. 

Tips for Choosing the Best Post Construction Cleaning Company

The major tips for hiring the best construction cleaning company are discussed below. These include checking reviews, verifying a business licence, asking about insurance, and more, as provided below.     

• Check reviews: It will help you see how happy past clients are with the company’s services. Reviews by customers can be easily found on social media platforms and search engines. 
• Verify a business license: Make sure your service provider is licensed by your state’s contractor licensing board. In case their license has expired, they might tell you that it is in the process of renewal. Or, they have applied for that if there is no license at all. Don’t trust. Hire someone who has a valid license and all the permits right now.  
• Ask about insurance: The company you hire must also be insured. In case any mishaps or accidents happen during the cleaning, you will be safe. The liability will not fall on your shoulders.  
• Compare quotes: That is essential too if you want to find out which one is offering relatively affordable services. 
• Check equipment quality: Machines that are mostly worn out and heavily used might not provide quality cleaning. And, if you find out about it once you have paid half of the money in advance, that is horrible. That is why don’t forget to inspect the conditions of the equipment in advance. 
• Look for experience: That will settle most of your doubts. For a deep cleaning, you need a company that has spent years in the field doing the same work. 

Also Read: 27 Types of Construction Vehicles with Their Names, Pictures, and Features

Future Trends in Construction Cleaning

The future of the post construction clean up is going to be certain. This industry will see an efficiency boost in the near future. That is particularly true due to new technological advancements, especially robotics and artificial intelligence. Thus, cleaning equipment and vacuum cleaners will get smarter. Eco-friendly supplies and tools will take over harmful and single-use products. 

Conclusion

Hence, the post construction cleaning is the act of removing all the debris from a newly constructed building. So, it can be occupied as soon as possible by the property owner. Many professional companies are also available to provide deep and fast cleaning services. If you need to clean a large and complex site after construction, it is the best move to hire one of these firms.   

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