What a post-construction clean actually includes
The contractors are gone and the space still is not ready. Here is what a proper post-construction clean covers, and why it is usually more than one visit.
A build-out or renovation ends with a space that is finished on paper and covered in dust in real life. Contractors usually do a basic sweep before they leave. That is not the same as a clean, and the difference shows the first time the lights are on and the customers walk in.
Why construction dust is different
Drywall sanding, cutting and drilling produce very fine dust that settles on every horizontal surface and keeps settling for days. It sits on top of door frames, inside vents, on light fixtures and along every ledge. Wipe it once with a dry cloth and it simply moves. It needs to be vacuumed and then wiped, working from the top of the room down, so that nothing falls onto surfaces that are already clean.
What a proper clean covers
- Leftover materials, offcuts and packaging bagged and removed
- Dust vacuumed and wiped from walls, ledges, vents, fixtures and frames
- Protective film, stickers and labels peeled from glass, fixtures and appliances
- Tape residue, paint spots and adhesive removed from hard surfaces
- Windows and glass cleaned, including frames and tracks
- Restrooms and kitchen areas cleaned and sanitised before first use
- Cabinets, shelving and counters wiped inside and out
- Floors vacuumed and mopped, sometimes more than once
Why it is often two visits
On larger jobs the work splits naturally into a rough clean and a final clean. The rough clean happens once the heavy trades are done: debris out, bulk dust removed, so the finishing trades are not working in a mess. The final clean happens just before the walkthrough or opening, after the last fixtures go in and the last of the dust has settled.
Trying to do it all in one visit while trades are still on site usually means doing it twice anyway.
The floor is its own job
New vinyl tile and sealed concrete often arrive without a protective finish, or with one that has been scratched by ladders and carts during the build. A post-construction clean gets the floor clean. If it needs a first strip and wax or a seal, that is a separate floor care job, and it is worth booking at the same time so the floor is finished when you open.
What helps us plan
Tell us the opening or inspection date, the size of the space and whether there will still be trades on site. Photos help. We plan backwards from your date so the space is ready when you need it, not the morning after.
Janitorial
Choosing a janitorial contract for a small business
A janitorial contract should tell you exactly what gets cleaned, how often and who to call. Here is what to look for before you sign one.
October 2026 · 3 min read →
Medical facilities
What medical facility cleaning has to cover
Cleaning a medical or dental office is not the same as cleaning a regular office. Here is what it has to cover, and where the cleaner's job stops.
October 2026 · 3 min read →
Tell us about the space and we will send you a quote
A few questions about the property and Sandrine replies. No pressure and nobody will chase you.